About the departments

Note: The Department of Entomology was officially renamed to the Department of Entomology and Nematology on May 28, 2013.

The Department of Entomology and Nematology encompasses disciplines studying the two most prevalent and important groups of invertebrates affecting man and the environment. The overall mission of the department is to address the broader scientific and societal importance of arthropods and nematodes by working seamlessly along the continuum that interconnects basic to applied science. A few examples include studying insects as pollinators, promoting sustainable agriculture by implementing species-specific pest control, and understanding the role of free-living nematodes in soil health. Overall, departmental research can be grouped into five broad areas: biodiversity, ecology, functional biology, sustainable agriculture, and vector biology. Department faculty and research staff strive towards synergy between emerging areas of fundamental science and mission-oriented research to translate basic science into solutions for stakeholders. Perhaps more importantly, the department prepares the next generation of students to assume leadership in arthropod and nematode sciences through the department's undergraduate and graduate programs.

You can also learn about the history of the Entomology Department and the history of the Nematology Department.