Bee pollinating a flower

Entomology is the study of insects, which have dominated the terrestrial planet for more than 350 million years. While entomologists have recognized and named more than one million different species of insects, experts vary widely on the true number of insect species — with estimates ranging from three million to 30 million unique species. At any given moment, 200+ million insects live for every human on Earth; over 70% of all animal species are insects. They have achieved something that has eluded humans — sustainable development. Insects are the primary consumers of plants, yet they are also the dominant pollinators, thus ensuring plant reproduction. They play a critical role in disease transmission yet the service they provide to ecological maintenance is unparalleled.

Entomologists conduct insect-based research in numerous areas ranging from general biology, natural history, systematics, ecology, and behavior, to molecular biology, physiology, and development, to medical and agricultural entomology. Emerging areas include invasive species, biodiversity, pollination ecology, forensics, global health, and genomics. Entomology is a very specific discipline, yet at the same time, an immensely broad and diverse field of study touching a wide array of other subjects. As such, entomological training provides many choices and opportunities for those interested in the diversity of nature. While some entomologists work in the field, others work in the laboratory, classroom, or museum settings.

Students majoring in entomology study in a variety of fundamental and applied fields. Graduates find employment in college and university teaching, community education, research and extension work, state and federal government service, industry, and research institutes. 

Learn through hands-on, real-world experiences

Entomology students learn in many field and lab courses, including classes that focus on taxonomy, physiology, parasitology, insects and human culture, issues in global health, and medical entomology. Students can complete their capstone requirement as part of a summer field course. There are also numerous internships and research opportunities available both on and off campus.

Build community and networks

The UW–Madison Entomology Department is committed to the UW System’s goal to provide Wisconsin’s citizens with opportunities to benefit from and contribute to the state’s growing “knowledge economy” through the land-grant university three-fold mission of teaching, research and public service.

In the spirit of The Wisconsin Idea, Entomology Department faculty and students fulfill the public service mission through entomology outreach engagement. Entomology Department interactions with the surrounding and statewide community encompass a wide range of insect and human affairs from human medical issues such as West Nile Virus and Lyme disease, to forest products and natural resources entomology, integrated pest management programs for agriculture, turf and ornamental and household settings, K-12 primary and secondary school education, and more.

Customize a path of study

Students are often able to customize their program of study by exploring a double major and/or undergraduate certificates based on their unique areas of interest. Both faculty and staff advisors are available to help students choose electives based on their educational and professional goals.

Make a strong start

Freshmen who are interested in Entomology are encouraged to participate in a First-Year Interest Group (FIG) program. During fall semesters, the department has historically offered a fascinating FIG titled "Global Biodiversity and the 6th Mass Extinction" where students explore what the immense richness of biodiversity means not only to the human species but to the very health of the planet. This program includes field trips, a museum experience, and other hands-on and experiential learning opportunities to bring concepts and classmates together for an eye-opening journey.

Gain global perspective

The Entomology major is a great choice for students who wish to participate in a study abroad experience. Students can choose from a multitude of destinations worldwide and can travel abroad during summer, spring, or fall terms. Students can explore studying abroad as an Entomology major by utilizing the Entomology Major Advising Page. Students work with their advisor and the CALS study abroad office to identify appropriate programs. 

How to Get in

Requirements Details
How to get in No application required. All students who meet the requirements listed below are eligible to declare. For information on how to declare, visit Advising & Careers.
Courses required to get in None
GPA requirements to get in None
Credits required to get in Must have fewer than 86 credits.
Other Students who do not meet the requirements above or are not in good academic standing should schedule a meeting with CALS Dean on Call (https://go.wisc.edu/g85h79) to discuss exceptions.

Prospective UW-Madison Students

All prospective UW–Madison students must apply through the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

Students interested in this major should select it as the first choice major on their UW–Madison application. Admitted students who enroll at UW-Madison and attend Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences have the option to declare this major at SOAR. More information is available here.

 

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.

General Education
  • Breadth—Humanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
  • Breadth—Natural Science: 4 to 6 credits, consisting of one 4- or 5-credit course with a laboratory component; or two courses providing a total of 6 credits
  • Breadth—Social Studies: 3 credits
  • Communication Part A & Part B *
  • Ethnic Studies *
  • Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B *

* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements.

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Requirements

In addition to the University General Education Requirements, all undergraduate students in CALS must satisfy a set of college and major requirements. Courses may not double count within university requirements (General Education and Breadth) or within college requirements (First-Year Seminar, International Studies, Science, and Capstone), but courses counted toward university requirements may also be used to satisfy a college and/or a major requirement; similarly, courses counted toward college requirements may also be used to satisfy a university and/or a major requirement.

College Requirements for all CALS BS Degree Programs

Quality of Work: Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000 to remain in good standing and be eligible for graduation.
Residency: Students must complete 30 degree credits in residence at UW–Madison after earning 86 credits toward their undergraduate degree.
First year seminar1
International studies3
Physical science fundamentals4-5
General Chemistry I
Chemistry in Our World
Advanced General Chemistry
Biological science5
Additional science (biological, physical, or natural)3
Science breadth (biological, physical, natural, or social)3
CALS Capstone Learning Experience: included in the requirements for each CALS major (see "major requirements")

Major Requirements

Mathematics9-11
Chemistry5-9
Biology10
Physics3-5
Biological and Physical Science Electives12
Entomology Core15
Capstone3
Total Credits57-65

Mathematics

Complete one of the following (or may be satisfied by placement exam):
MATH 112
MATH 113
College Algebra
and Trigonometry
6
MATH 114 Precalculus5
MATH 171 Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry I5
Complete one of the following:
MATH 211 Survey of Calculus 14
MATH 217 Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry II5
MATH 221 Calculus and Analytic Geometry 15
STAT 371 Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences3

 Chemistry

Complete one of the following:

CHEM 103
CHEM 104
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry II
9
CHEM 109 Advanced General Chemistry5

Biology

Complete one of the following options:

Option 1:
BIOLOGY/​BOTANY/​ZOOLOGY  151
BIOLOGY/​BOTANY/​ZOOLOGY  152
Introductory Biology
and Introductory Biology
10
Option 2:
BIOLOGY/​ZOOLOGY  101
BIOLOGY/​ZOOLOGY  102
BIOLOGY/​BOTANY  130
Animal Biology
and Animal Biology Laboratory
and General Botany
10
Option 3:
BIOCORE 381
BIOCORE 382
BIOCORE 383
BIOCORE 384
Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics
and Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics Laboratory
and Cellular Biology
and Cellular Biology Laboratory
10

Physics

Complete one of the following:

PHYSICS 103 General Physics4
PHYSICS 107 The Ideas of Modern Physics3
PHYSICS 109 Physics in the Arts3
PHYSICS 115 Energy and Climate3
PHYSICS 201 General Physics5
PHYSICS 207 General Physics5

Biological and Physical Science Electives

Complete 12 additional credits from any biological or physical science course (at least 8 credits must be numbered 300-399 or 200-299 with the intermediate-level designation). Recommended courses are listed below.

Recommended Biological and Physical Science Electives

GENETICS 466 Principles of Genetics3
CHEM 341 Elementary Organic Chemistry3
CHEM 342 Elementary Organic Chemistry Laboratory1
CHEM 343 Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 344 Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory2
CHEM 345 Organic Chemistry II3
PHYSICS 104 General Physics4
PHYSICS 202 General Physics5
PHYSICS 208 General Physics5
ENTOM (not used to meet other requirements), BOTANY, ZOOLOGY, FW ECOL, MICROBIO, or PL PATH.

Entomology Core

ENTOM/​ZOOLOGY  302 Introduction to Entomology4
Subset Courses11
Must complete at least 3 credits from at least two subsets (organismal, suborganismal, or applied). Courses may not double count in more than one subset. May complete up to 3 credits from the subset labeled "other." See course lists below.

Organismal

ENTOM 331 Taxonomy of Mature Insects4
ENTOM 432 Taxonomy and Bionomics of Immature Insects4
ENTOM 450 Basic and Applied Insect Ecology3
ENTOM 468 Studies in Field Entomology3
ENTOM/​BOTANY/​ZOOLOGY  473 Plant-Insect Interactions3
ENTOM 490 Biodiversity and Global Change3

Suborganismal

ENTOM 321 Physiology of Insects3
ENTOM/​ZOOLOGY  371 Medical Entomology: Biology of Vector and Vector-borne Diseases3-4
ENTOM/​BOTANY/​PL PATH  505 Plant-Microbe Interactions: Molecular and Ecological Aspects3
ENTOM/​GENETICS/​ZOOLOGY  624 Molecular Ecology3

Applied

ENTOM 344 From Flowers to Food: Pollinator Ecology and Conservation3
ENTOM/​M M & I/​PATH-BIO/​ZOOLOGY  350 Parasitology3
ENTOM 351 Principles of Economic Entomology3
ENTOM/​ZOOLOGY  371 Medical Entomology: Biology of Vector and Vector-borne Diseases3
ENTOM 450 Basic and Applied Insect Ecology3

Other

ENTOM 375 Special Topics1-4
ENTOM 399 Coordinative Internship/Cooperative Education1-8
ENTOM 681 Senior Honors Thesis2-4
ENTOM 682 Senior Honors Thesis2-4
ENTOM 691 Senior Thesis2
ENTOM 699 Special Problems1-4

Capstone

ENTOM 468 Studies in Field Entomology is the recommended capstone course (can double count in Entomology Core).  ENTOM 681 Senior Honors Thesis, ENTOM 682 Senior Honors Thesis, ENTOM 691 Senior Thesis, ENTOM 699 Special Problems can be substituted in special circumstances (and can double count up to 3 credits in Entomology Core Category); see advisor.

ENTOM 468 Studies in Field Entomology3

University Degree Requirements 

Total Degree To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements.
Residency Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs.
Quality of Work Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Define and explain major concepts in the biological sciences focusing on insects.
  2. Knowledge of laboratory and/or field methodology.
  3. Explain and apply scientific methods including designing and conducting experiments and testing hypotheses.
  4. Recognize relationships between structure and function at all levels including molecular, cellular, organismal and ecological.
  5. Demonstrate a style appropriate for communicating scientific results in written and oral form.
  6. Integrate math, physics, and technology to answer biological questions using the scientific method.

Four-Year Plan

Sample Entomology Four-Year Plan

Students must complete at least 120 total credits to be eligible for graduation.

This sample four-year plan is a tool to assist students and their advisors.  Students should use their DARS report, the degree planner, Guide requirements, and the course search & enroll tools to make their own four-year plan based on their placement scores, credit for transferred courses and approved examinations, and individual interests.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
Biology Option or General Chemistry4-5Biology Option or General Chemistry5 
COMM A Course3MATH 1133 
CALS First Year Seminar1Ethnic Studies3 
MATH 1123Humanities Breadth3 
Elective3  
 14 14 
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
Biology Option or General Chemistry4-5Biology Option or General Chemistry5 
COMM B Course3Electives7 
MATH 2215Humanities Breadth3 
Elective3  
 15 15 
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENTOM/​ZOOLOGY  3024Biological or Physical Science Elective3ENTOM 4683
Physics Course3-5Breadth Course in Core3 
Electives7CALS International Studies Requirement3 
 Electives6 
 14 15 3
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
Biological or Physical Science Elective3Biological or Physical Science Electives6 
Breadth Course in Core3Breadth Course in Core3 
Electives6Electives6 
Social Science Breadth3  
 15 15 
Total Credits 120

Advising and Careers

Advising 

Undergraduate students are assigned to an Entomology undergraduate faculty advisor and academic staff advisor. However, since the vast majority of Entomology BS students conduct independent research during their undergraduate career, it is important to meet with other entomology faculty members to learn about all of the research possibilities.

Undergraduates in Entomology are strongly urged to meet with their advisor before they enroll for the upcoming term. If you have questions about advising or declaring the major, please contact the academic advisor.

Career Opportunities

Entomologists from all educational levels are able to seek employment in a variety of areas. Graduates find employment in college and university teaching, community education, research and extension work, state and federal government service, industry, and research institutes. Some examples include:

  • college and universities
  • biotechnology companies
  • state and federal agencies
  • international agricultural research centers
  • nurseries, greenhouses, and garden centers
  • non-governmental organizations
  • golf courses, public parks, and landscape maintenance companies
  • agricultural companies
  • a variety of private consulting firms

For more information on careers available to Entomology students, please visit our Internship & Job Resources page. For more information on other academic, co-curricular, financial aid, and career opportunities and services available to Entomology BS students, please visit the CALS Career Services page. Students in the major are welcome to make an individual appointment with their advisor to discuss a number of career-related topics such as career exploration, search strategies, graduate school, and review of application materials (resume, CV, letters, etc.).

Wisconsin Experience

While entomology clearly is “big science,” our department prides itself on a “small campus” feel in which we get to know our undergraduate students during their time with us. 

In the classroom, we strive to maintain labs at not more than 15-20 students to maximize individualized and participatory learning. Students are given additional opportunities for deep and engaged learning experiences through honors options that are generally available for most courses and field and/or lab experiences in many of the upper-level courses.

Internships

Please visit our Internships & Job Resources page for more information on the multitude of internship and employment opportunities available to Entomology students. Research and internship opportunities are also available in the UW Insect Research Collection (WIRC), as well as possible participation in WIRC-sponsored collecting expeditions in Wisconsin and around the United States.

Research Experience

Very nearly all our undergraduate students have opportunities to work alongside our faculty and graduate students in research labs and in the field. Our major accommodates 1–3 credits (of the 15 entomology credits required to major) in the area of directed/independent study and internships to promote extracurricular and outside the traditional classroom learning.

Student Organizations

Undergraduate students are also involved in service learning and teaching through our departmental “Insect Ambassadors” outreach program to K–12, various clubs, and organizations. We are committed to the UW System goal to provide Wisconsin’s citizens with opportunities to benefit from, and contribute to, the state’s growing “knowledge economy” through the land-grant university three-fold mission of teaching, research, and public service. We also have an active Undergraduate Entomology Society for majors — or any UW–Madison students interested in entomology. 

Global Engagement

Entomology students are encouraged to participate in a study abroad experience. Students can find more information about study abroad on the CALS study abroad advising page.

Community Engagement and Volunteering

In the spirit of The Wisconsin Idea, Entomology Department faculty and students fulfill the public service mission through entomology outreach engagement. Entomology Department interactions with the surrounding and statewide community encompass a wide range of insect and human affairs from human medical issues such as West Nile Virus and Lyme disease, to forest products and natural resources entomology, integrated pest management programs for agriculture, turf and ornamental and household settings, K-12 primary and secondary school education, and more. Please visit our Outreach page for more information.

On campus, the Morgridge Center for Public Service provides resources to help students connect with volunteer opportunities based on their interests and goals.

Resources and Scholarships

Department scholarships are available to Entomology students and fellowships are available to support research work with a professor. Please visit our Awards & Scholarships page for additional details. Students across the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences receive more than $1.25 million in scholarships annually. Learn more about college scholarships here.