Entomology Course Syllabus

Course description

This class will cover many topics in science and more specifically entomology including: science process skills, laboratory safety, the history of entomology, arthropods, insects and their relatives, integumetary systems, nervous systems, glandular systems, muscular systems, alimentary systems, excretory systems, circulatory systems, respiration systems, reproduction, embryology, post-embryologic development (life history), sensory mechanisms, insect evolution, systematics, insect classification, and applied entomology.

Course Objective

In this class you will learn basic insect anatomy, physiology, stages of development, and classification. By the end of this class you should be able to sight recognize insects orders and a few key families. You should also be able to understand and discuss basic insect anatomy and physiology.

Things you need for class

1-2 Empty Glass Jar with tight sealing lid

5-7 small sealing containers

Ziplock bags

Nail Polish Remover

Bottle for water

pencil/pen

notebook paper in a 3-ring binder with pockets (recycled binders available)

Small notebook for collection journal (provided)

Optional Things to bring to class on collection day

Sweat Rag

Shoes for Outdoors

Grade breakdown

30% Collection

10% Collection Journal

20% Tests

10% Quizzes

20% Research Project

10% Blog Assignments

Collection

• You will need a total of 40 properly labeled, different adult insect specimens from 12 different orders and 2 properly labeled different immature insect specimens. All of these must be keyed out to their proper order.

• You will need a minimum of
• 3 spread Lepidoptera
• 3 point mounts
• 2 preserved immature specimens in alcohol

More details on the collections will be discussed as the semester moves along.

Journal

• Each student will need to have their own journal to record all information about the insects collected in the field and observed in the laboratory (classroom).
• This journal will be spot-checked periodically but must be turned in for grading every 3 weeks.

Tests

• As mentioned before, you will have tests that are based on class lectures, guest speakers and field trips. You will not be tested on notes and concepts that are discussed exclusively on collecting trips.
• This grade will be based on an average of your test grades.

Quizzes

• You will also have quizzes based on lectures, guest speakers and field trips.
• This grade will be based on an average of your quiz grades.

Research Project

• You will need to pick a topic of interest that relates to entomology and write a research paper on this topic: OR
• Rear and insect from egg to adult, observe and record its growth, write a report on your observations and findings.
  
• Begin thinking of a topic ASAP

Blog Assignments

• Through the semester there will be a variety of assignments that will need to be posted on your blog for this class. The main assignments through this will be study questions to prepare you for tests and various field projects that will be done in conjunction with collection trips.