Entomology and Plant Pathology

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Dr. Vance Watson, Dean

Dr. Clarence H. Collison, Department Head and Graduate Coordinator

103 Clay Lyle Entomology Complex

662-325-2085 bperrigin@entomology.msstate.edu

The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology offers graduate study leading to the Master of Science in Agriculture with a concentration in Plant Pathology, Master of Science in Agricultural Life Sciences with a concentration in Entomology, or Doctor of Philosophy in Entomology and Plant Pathology with a concentration in Entomology or in Plant Pathology.  For more detailed information concerning any of the department’s graduate programs, please write to the Graduate Coordinator, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Box 9775, Mississippi State, MS 39762 or email bperrigin@entomology.msstate.edu. 

Admission Criteria—A graduate screening committee, composed of members of the Entomology and Plant Pathology faculty screen all applicants.  Final acceptance into a graduate program is contingent upon the availability of a suitable major professor.  Specific requirements for entrance into the program are listed below:

·          Bachelor's degree/Master’s degree from an accredited, 4-year college with a grade point average of 3.00/4.00 scale,

·          Score of 1000 combined verbal and quantitative on the GRE,

·          Three letters of recommendation, and

·          TOEFL score of 500 (non-English speaking international students)

Program of Study and Course Requirements:

M.S. with concentration in Entomology or Plant Pathology—A student seeking a M.S. with a concentration in Entomology or Plant Pathology must complete 24 credit hours in course work above the baccalaureate degree, at least 15 hours of which must be from 8000 or 9000 level courses.  The program of study must include two credit hours of Seminar (EPP 8111 and 8121). 

Ph.D. in Entomology or Plant Pathology—Each of these programs requires 60 credit hours course work above the baccalaureate degree.  The program of study must include two hours of Seminar credit (EPP 8111 and 8121).  It is recommended that the doctoral program include enrichment courses to be approved by the graduate committee.  The enrichment program would consist of 12 course credits or equivalent special projects or study areas related to the specific interests and needs of the student.

Graduate Courses

Entomology Concentration:

EPP 6154      General Entomology. 4 hours

EPP 6163      Plant Disease Management. 3 hours

EPP 6164      Insect Taxonomy (EPP 4154). 4 hours

EPP 6234      Field Crop Insects (EPP 2213 or 4154). 4 hours

EPP 6244      Aquatic Entomology (EPP 4154 or instructor approval). 4 hours

EPP 6263      Principles of Insect Pest Management. 3 hours

EPP 6335      Anatomy and Physiology of Insects (EPP 4154 [same as PHY 6335]). 5 hours

EPP 6543      Toxicology and Insecticide Chemistry (organic chemistry). 3 hours

EPP 6990      Special Topics in Entomology or Plant Pathology. 1-9 hours

EPP 7000      Directed Individual Study. 1-6 hours

EPP 8000      Research/Thesis. 6 hours

EPP 8111      Seminar. 1 hour

EPP 8121      Seminar. 1 hour

EPP 8144      Transmission Electron Microscopy[same as BIO 8014]. 4 hours

EPP 8223      Scanning Electron Microscopy (graduate standing and permission of instructor). 3 hours

EPP 8272      Empirical Research in Theory and Practice. 2 hours  

EPP 8333      Advanced Toxicology (EPP 4543/6543 or BCH 5615)[same as PHY 8333]. 3 hours

EPP 8453      Insect Pathology. 3 hours

EPP 8483      Ecological Genetics ( PO 3103 or equivalent and BIO 4113/6113 or consent of instructor. 3 hours

EPP 8624      Population Ecology of Insects (a course in general ecology). 4 hours

EPP 8990      Special Topics in Entomology or Plant Pathology. 1-9 hours

EPP 9000      Research/Dissertation. 20 hours

Plant Pathology Emphasis:

EPP 6114      Mycology (BOT 1203 and BOT 1213). 4 hours

EPP 6151      Taxon – Fungi Imperfecti (consent of instructor). 1 hour

EPP 6161      Taxon – Ascomycetes (consent of instructor). 1 hour

EPP 6171      Taxon – Basidiomycetes (consent of instructor). 1 hour

EPP 6181      Taxon – Oom and Zyg (consent of instructor). 1 hour

EPP 6163      Plant Disease Management (EPP 3113). 3 hours

EPP 6214      Disease of Crops (EPP 3113 or 3124). 4 hours

EPP 6523      Turfgrass Diseases (EPP 3113 or 3124).  3  hours

EPP 8113      Plant Nematology (EPP 3113). 3 hours

EPP 8123      Plant Virology (EPP 3113).  3 hours

EPP 8143      Advanced Plant Pathology I (EPP 3113). 3 hours

EPP 8173      Clinical Plant Pathology (EPP 3113 and EPP 4114/6114). 3 hours

EPP 8253      Advanced Plant Pathology II (EPP 3113, BOT 4214). 3 hours

Academic Performance—Students must receive a B or better in all courses in each graduate program in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology after admission to the program.  Any student receiving two grades below a B will be recommended for dismissal from the University.

Completion Requirements—The student must present an approved/defended Thesis (M.S.) or Dissertation (Ph.D.) for completion of the program.