Entomology

Masters and Doctorate Programs

Raymond Noblet, Department Head
Mark Brown, Graduate Coordinator
Jennie De la Vega, Coordinator Assistant

Our department seeks motivated students interested in an interdisciplinary education in Entomology.  The Department has three campuses in Georgia – Athens, Tifton, and Griffin –that offer all facilities needed for applied or basic research. Our program provides a traditional grounding in taxonomy, physiology, molecular biology, ecology, and behavior, complemented by specialty training in evolutionary biology, genomics, vector biology, biotechnology, and integrated pest management. Faculty members in the department are associated with other programs in the Life Sciences, including Neuroscience, Toxicology, and the Center for Emerging and Tropical Global Diseases. This array of disciplines allows us to offer one of the most comprehensive Graduate Programs in the United States.

In addition to the faculty at the Athens campus, students may carry out research under the direction of faculty at the Experiment Station in Griffin or Tifton, Georgia. Facilities and opportunities for studies on applied aspects of entomological problems and integrated pest management are emphasized at the stations. On the Athens campus, faculty joint staffed with the Departments of Genetics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences Division, the Museum of Natural History, the Department of Ecology, and the interdisciplinary Toxicology Program enable students to earn a degree in entomology with training in related disciplines.

Please visit the websites for the University of Georgia and the Graduate School to find information about the many features and facilities of the University and Athens communities.

Below you will find information regarding the application process. If you have questions that are not answered below, please contact the Graduate Coordinator Assistant, Jennie De la Vega at delavega@uga.edu, or by phone at 800-659-7250 or 706-542-2276 or the Graduate Coordinator, Mark R. Brown at mrbrown@uga.edu.
 
What type of students are we looking for?
Graduate students are an integral part of our research and teaching missions, so we are committed to admitting the best students possible. Our department will provide you the opportunity to acquire a broad-based education in entomology and participate in diverse research projects.

Is a degree in Entomology required?
A background in entomology is not required for students to enter the graduate program. In fact, we encourage applicants with a B.S. or M.S. in any area of the physical and biological sciences to apply. Students with a B.S. degree are normally admitted at the M.S. level but may petition to bypass this degree and work towards the Ph.D. after meeting specific departmental requirements. Students without previous courses in genetics and biochemistry will be required to make up these deficiencies after entering the program. Courses in animal physiology or cell and molecular biology can be substitutes.

What kind of support for graduate students is available?
All graduate students admitted to the Department receive a teaching or research assistantship for the duration of their program. As well, out-of-state tuition is waived (~$11,000). Assistantship applications must be submitted to the Department of Entomology, after the Application to the Graduate School is completed.

How do you apply for admission to the department?
To request an application packet, go to http://www.gradsch.uga.edu:5080/info/
and provide all of the requested information.  Be sure to select ENTOMOLOGY (MS) or ENTOMOLOGY (PHD) in the drop-down box for Degree and Major of Interest. The application processing fee is $50. 

Application to the Department of Entomology is now completed online through the Graduate School. Domestic and international applications require different items to be submitted. All of the information necessary to apply is located on the application procedures page.

For your file to be considered complete and ready for review by the Graduate Program Committee, the following materials must be submitted:

1. Graduate School Application
2. Official Transcripts: Mail DIRECTLY to the Graduate School.
3. Official GRE Scores: Submit DIRECTLY to the Graduate School
4. Official TOEFL (if applicable): Submit DIRECTLY to the Graduate School.
5.  Three Letters of Recommendation:  Submitted electronically to the Graduate School.
6. Resume or Curriculum Vitae with supporting information listed: Submit by email or mail to the Graduate Coordinator.
7. Statement of Purpose or Interest: Submit by email or mail to the Graduate Coordinator Assistant.
8. Assistantship application: Submit by email or mail to the Graduate Coordinator Assistant.

When your application is submitted, you will receive an email with log-on information and directions on how to access the Application Tracking Database. Please refer to the database for an update on the progress of your application BEFORE calling the department.  Your application also is tracked by the Graduate Coordinator Assistant.

Address for mailing documents:
Graduate Coordinator
Entomology Department
University of Georgia
413 Biological Sciences Bldg
Athens, GA 30602

What are the Application deadlines for admission throughout the academic year?

 

How does the decision to accept an applicant occur?
As your application documents are received, we will pass this information on to our faculty, so they can contact you if there is an opening in their program. Also, you are encouraged to contact faculty by email that most closely correspond to your interest to let them know that you are interested in their research program. 

For an overview of the Department, please visit our research program site, http://www.ent.uga.edu/research.htm, and faculty site http://www.ent.uga.edu/personnel.htm.  Click on the names of faculty members to access their research program.

Once a faculty member is willing to consider you for a position in their research program and your application is completed, your application and supporting documents will be reviewed by the Graduate Program Committee. GRE scores, GPA, letters of recommendation, and a written personal statement are considered by the committee, along with prior education, research, and life experiences of the applicant. A recommendation will be sent to the Graduate School, which makes the final decision about admission. If you are accepted, arrangements for a teaching or research assistantship will be decided in consultation with the faculty advisor. 

How can you arrange to visit the department?
The department will host a visit and may provide monetary support toward this end depending on the circumstances. Contact the Assistant or Graduate Coordinator by email to set up a visit.

What can you expect as a new graduate student?
A more in depth look at graduate student life is provided at the web sites for the Graduate School and Graduate Student Handbook for the Department of Entomology.

The first two years of the MS and PhD program are devoted to completing a Program of Study, which includes two core courses – see the Handbook, courses offered and syllabi for more details.  As time permits while taking classes, a research project is developed and pursued full time during the summer. Once coursework is completed, students are expected to focus on research.

What information should international students know?
The Office for International Student, Scholar & Immigration Services (ISSIS) at the University of Georgia provides a wealth of information and services for both incoming and current international graduate students. Please review their site, http://www.uga.edu/oie/ISSIS/, and contact their office if you have any questions about issues concerning requirements for international students.

 

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