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The GIDP in Entomology and Insect Science faculty and students integrate knowledge across the biological hierarchy from molecules to landscapes, and address questions that span the most fundamental aspects of biology, e.g., when did the brain originate? or what maintains mutualisms?, to addressing the environmental and health challenges posed by climate change and a rapidly increasing human population. These challenges require innovative entomological research to address conservation of biodiversity, and to mitigate potential increases in negative impacts of invasive species and harm caused by insect pests and insect vectors to crops, structures, and human health. The program thus bridges the gap between basic research, using insects as models to address general biological questions, and applied research affecting humankind more directly. The program graduates students with a particularly wide range of career opportunities.
The EIS program offers interdisciplinary training in the biology of insects for a Master's or Doctoral degree. It includes 35 faculty members representing 9 academic units. We encourage students to develop cross-disciplinary connections and bring together aspects of insect biology in unconventional ways. Our faculty and our students are collegial, collaborative, and highly productive.
The EIS program is flexible in its requirements, allowing students to design, in collaboration with faculty, programs of study tailored to individual interests and needs. We particularly seek out creative, enthusiastic applicants who have multidisciplinary interests, such as insect ecology–plant chemistry or behavioral ecology–neurobiology, pest management–spatial ecology, epidemiology of vector-borne disease–climate science, to name a very few. We encourage students to develop cross-disciplinary connections and bring together aspects of insect biology in unconventional ways.
For more information, please visit our website at insects.arizona.edu
Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs
The Graduate College sponsors several Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs (GIDPs) in addition to the many interdisciplinary possibilities available through regular graduate degree programs. GIDPs transcend departmental boundaries by facilitating cutting edge teaching and research at the nexus of traditional disciplines. The high value placed on interdisciplinary research and education is indicative of The University of Arizona's enthusiasm and commitment to fostering innovation and creativity among its faculty and students.
Graduate College/GIDP
University of Arizona - Main - Tucson
Prospective students apply online using the Graduate College website (grad.arizona.edu). The application fee is $85 for domestic applicants. The cost for international applicants is US $95 and should include the Graduate College Financial Guarantee Form.
Choose a program
Please submit the following:
Official copies should be sent to
Primary mailing address:
Graduate College
The University of Arizona
Administration 322
PO Box 210066
Tucson, AZ 85721-0066
Express mail (for FedEx, DHL, etc):
Graduate College
The University of Arizona
1401 E University Blvd, #322
4. Official test scores (upload a copy and send official scores): GRE scores (optional and no more than 5 years old), TOEFL for eligible international students (see requirements at grad.arizona.edu/admissions/requirements/english-proficiency). Code for sending official scores: 4832
The EIS program ordinarily accepts new students only for the fall semester. The deadline for applications is December 1st. Interviews are typically scheduled in January or February for fall admission. Please contact Paula Nielsen for information at pnielsen322@arizona.edu.
To check the status of your application please contact Paula Nielsen at pnielsen322@arizona.edu or 520-621-0847.
Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Entomology & Insect Science. Paula Nielsen, Program Coordinator, Marley 641G, The University of Arizona Tucson AZ 85721 Email: pnielsen322@arizona.edu Voice: (520) 621-0847
Required test(s):
GRE General Test is optional
TOEFL test for international applicants only
Students are generally supported by Program funds in their first year while they take courses and do laboratory rotations.
Students in their second and subsequent years are usually funded by research assistantships from their advisors, teaching assistantships, training grant funds, or individual fellowships. All students are strongly encouraged to apply for individual fellowships as they are excellent training in summarizing research. If granted, fellowships and grants are prestigious and increase the probability of further funding and of securing positions after graduation. Fellowships also increase student independence. Students who are not legal residents of Arizona, but are on an RA or TA receive a waiver of the out-of-state tuition fees charged by the University of Arizona.
Students who are self-funding, have less than a 'full time' (0.5) RA or TA, or who are on certain types of fellowships, may be responsible for some portion or all of these fees. However, before you pay these, check with the EIS program coordinator to see whether GRS/GTS funds are available that can reduce or eliminate your financial liability. These are generally distributed once a year, so you may have to anticipate more than a semester in advance. Enrollment in the University's student health plan for the student, only, is covered by these fees.
Domestic Applicants:
International Applicants:
International applicants may be considered for conditional admission to this program at the department's discretion.
4832
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A minimum of 45 units of graduate coursework must be taken, excluding dissertation units Credit Requirements and Transfer Credit.
These units include 36 units toward the major and 9 counting toward the minor. At least half of these (23 units or more) must be taken in letter-graded courses (vs. research or independent study units). These units will include EIS courses, courses in the minor, other courses chosen from the schedule of classes and approved by your Graduate Committee, and research and independent study units. You may also include eligible transfer courses in this tally. Lastly, at least 18 units of Dissertation Research are required.
Four courses are required for EIS PhD students.
1. Two of three of the following core courses. a) Insect Molecular Physiology, EIS 520 (3 units), b) Insect Ecology, EIS 544 (3 units), and c) Insect Systematics, EIS 517 (4 units). These courses are all offered alternate years, so students will take them in their first or second year.
2. Current topics in Entomology & Insect Science (Seminar), EIS 596A (1 -3 units). In the fall students will attend Program research seminars and, separately, read the literature in their own area of research, write summaries and twice per semester, present a paper relevant to their own research in the class meeting time. The spring semester seminar course will be a structured proposal writing workshop, with frequent peer, advisor and course instructor review of drafts.
3. PhD students are required to take EIS 596A 4 times, fall & spring semester in their 1st and 2nd year in the program. PhD students must complete at least two research rotations EIS 792 (3 units), at least one of them in a laboratory other than that of their advisor.
In development
PhD students must complete at least one semester of a Teaching Assistantship. They are also expected to give two research talks following completion of their comprehensive examination, at least one on campus.
Minors must be in a program or department other than EIS. 9 units are generally required for a minor. A member of the minor department or program must serve on the student's committee and approve the units taken for fulfillment of the minor.
Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.
| Program-level Information | |
|---|---|
| Application Acceptance Rate | 38.89% |
| Med. Time-to-degree (years) | 5.50 |
| Department-level Information | |
| Enrollment Percent Male | 48.28% |
| Enrollment Percent Female | 51.72% |
| Enrollment Percent International | 10.34% |
| Enrollment Percent URM | 13.79% |