The program emphasizes the integration of basic and applied aspects of entomology in solving problems in biology, agriculture, and the environment. Students can specialize in a diversity of areas such as agricultural entomology, apiculture and bee biology, behavior, biological control, environmental toxicology, insect physiology and biochemistry, host-plant resistance, parasitology, medical entomology, molecular biology, sociobiology, systematics, and others.

Students in entomology may pursue one of two plans for the M.S. degree, one is a research degree (Plan I) and the other primarily course work (Plan II). Students planning to continue for the Ph.D. are encouraged to take the Plan I M.S. degree.

The recipient of a Ph.D. degree is expected to possess a thorough knowledge of a broad field of learning and to have achieved distinguished accomplishments in the field. The Ph.D. program is characterized by its flexibility, and the wide-ranging interests of the faculty provide outstanding opportunities for research projects. Students may also take advantage of cooperation and consultation with faculty in genetics, environmental toxicology, agronomy, botany, mathematics, statistics, zoology, biochemistry, and many other areas of interest.