Entomology and Plant Pathology (ENPL)

Kenneth Korth
Department Head
217 Plant Sciences Building
479-575-2445
Email: kkorth@uark.edu

Ioannis Tzanetakis
Graduate Coordinator
217 Plant Sciences Building
479-575-3180
Email: itzaneta@uark.edu

Department email: enpl@uark.edu

Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology

Degrees Conferred:
M.S. in Entomology and Plant Pathology with Entomology Concentration (ENPLMS)
M.S. in Entomology and Plant Pathology with Plant Pathology Concentration (ENPLMS)
Ph.D. in Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences with Entomology Concentration (AFLSPH-ENTO)
Ph.D. in Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences with Plant Pathology Concentration (AFLSPH-PLPA)

Primary Areas of Faculty Research: Research areas are diverse, including fundamental studies emphasizing arthropod biology, pathogens of plants, ecology and pest management, as well as mission-oriented research aimed at solving specific problems. Research includes field and lab-based approaches utilizing host and pest genetics, molecular biology, taxonomy, systematics, and management strategies.

Entomology Courses

ENTO 5000V. Special Problems. 1-4 Hour.

Special problems. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for up to 4 hours of degree credit.

ENTO 50103. Morphology of Insects. 3 Hours.

Origin, evolution, and functional significance of external insect structure. Structure and function of major internal systems. Previous knowledge of basic entomology is helpful, but not required. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 4 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. (Typically offered: Fall Odd Years)

ENTO 50204. Insect Diversity and Taxonomy. 4 Hours.

Principles and practices of insect classification and identification with emphasis on adult insects. 2.5 hours lecture, 4 hours lab. Prerequisite: ENTO 30103 or instructor consent. Corequisite: Lab component. (Typically offered: Fall)
This course is cross-listed with BIOL 50274.

ENTO 50403. Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping. 3 Hours.

To acquaint the student with social insects in general and honey bees in particular, to promote an interest in beekeeping as a hobby, occupation, and/or science, to give the students the basic knowledge of how to keep honey bees, and to increase awareness of the contribution that pollinating insects make to agriculture, natural ecosystems, and human life. (Typically offered: Spring)

ENTO 50503. Insect Ecology. 3 Hours.

To develop an understanding of important ecological concepts through study of dynamic relationships among insects and their environment. To become familiar with the literature of insect ecology, and interpretation and critique of ecological research. Previous knowledge of basic entomology and/or ecology will be assumed. 2 hours lecture/2 hours lab. Prerequisite: Instructor consent. Corequisite: Lab component. (Typically offered: Fall Even Years)
This course is cross-listed with BIOL 50573.

ENTO 50603. Medical and Veterinary Entomology. 3 Hours.

Medical and veterinary entomology is the study of how insects and other arthropods affect human and animal health. Many insects, along with ticks and mites, require blood in order to develop their eggs, and in the process of feeding can transmit harmful pathogens. Even without disease, their bites can be painful and annoying. Other insects inject toxic venoms with their bites and stings that can cause allergic reactions or death. Some even lay eggs and grow inside of their live hosts. This class will cover the different groups medically important arthropods and the ways in which they cause direct or indirect injury to humans and animals. We will cover the disease cycles of relevant vector-borne pathogens, as well as surveillance and control. Students will learn to identify medically important arthropods and gain exposure to techniques and tools used in the field of medical and veterinary entomology. Corequisite: Lab component. (Typically offered: Spring)

ENTO 5100V. Special Topics. 1-3 Hour.

Topics not covered in other courses or a more intensive study of specific topics in entomology. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for degree credit.

ENTO 51103. Insect Behavior and Chemical Ecology. 3 Hours.

Basic concepts in insect senses and patterns of behavioral responses to various environmental stimuli. Previous knowledge of basic entomology is helpful, but not required. Prerequisite: Instructor consent. Corequisite: Lab component. (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)
This course is cross-listed with BIOL 51173.

ENTO 51203. Biological Control. 3 Hours.

Theoretical and practical basis for biological control of arthropod pests and weeds via parasites, predators, and pathogens. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 2 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. (Typically offered: Fall Odd Years)

ENTO 51503. Insect Pest Management. 3 Hours.

Study of principles and concept of insect pest management. Areas covered include a survey of arthropod pests and damage, population dynamics, damage thresholds, physiological units, prediction models, surveillance, arthropod sampling, strategies and tactics utilized to maintain pest populations below economic injury levels. Prerequisite: Instructor consent. (Typically offered: Spring Odd Years)

ENTO 51603. Advanced Applied Entomology. 3 Hours.

Topics will include the integration of tactics, integration of disciplines and specific case histories in insect management, or use of insects to manage weeds. Prerequisite: Instructor consent. (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)

ENTO 6000V. Master's Thesis. 1-6 Hour.

Master's Thesis. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for degree credit.

ENTO 61103. Insect Physiology and Molecular Biology. 3 Hours.

Overview of insect physiology and modern molecular techniques to study physiological processes. Previous knowledge of basic entomology is helpful, but not required. Two lectures per week (1 hour 20 minutes each). (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)

ENTO 7000V. Doctoral Dissertation. 1-18 Hour.

Doctoral Dissertation. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for degree credit.

Entomology and Plant Pathology Courses

ENPL 50001. Seminar on Presentation Skills. 1 Hour.

First-year graduate students prepare an entrance seminar on their research plan and deliver it within the context of the departmental seminar series. The instructor of record and the students' major advisors provide guidance on seminar development, and students work together to practice their presentations prior to their seminar dates. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

ENPL 60701. Colloquium - Advanced Topics in Entomology and Plant Pathology. 1 Hour.

Rotating topics not covered in regular course work, including critical review of research papers in entomology or plant pathology and professional development as it applies to careers in these fields. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

Plant Pathology Courses

PLPA 5020V. Special Problems Research. 1-6 Hour.

Original investigations of assigned problems in plant pathology. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

PLPA 5040V. Special Topics. 1-18 Hour.

Lecture topics of current interest not covered in other courses in plant pathology or other related areas. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 18 hours of degree credit.

PLPA 52203. Plant Disease Control. 3 Hours.

Principles, methods and mechanics of plant disease control. Emphasis is given to the integration of control measures and epidemiology of plant diseases. Lecture 3 hours per week. Graduate degree credit will not be given for both PLPA 42203 and PLPA 52203. (Typically offered: Fall)

PLPA 53003. Advanced Plant Pathology: Host-Pathogen Interactions. 3 Hours.

Presentation of important contemporary concepts relative to disease resistance and the physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology of plant-pathogen interactions. Lecture 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: PLPA 30003 or equivalent and graduate standing. (Typically offered: Spring Odd Years)

PLPA 53103. Advanced Plant Pathology: Ecology and Epidemiology. 3 Hours.

Presentation of important contemporary concepts relative to the ecology and epidemiology of foliar and soil-borne plant pathogens. Lecture 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: PLPA 30003 and graduate standing. (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)

PLPA 53303. Biotechnology in Agriculture. 3 Hours.

Discussion of the techniques, applications, and issues of biotechnology as it is being used in modern agriculture. Coverage includes the basics of molecular biology, production of transgenic plants and animals, and new applications in the agricultural, food, and medical marketplace. Lecture and discussion, 3 hours per week. Graduate degree credit will not be given for both PLPA 43303 and PLPA 53303. (Typically offered: Fall)

PLPA 54004. Diseases of Economic Crops. 4 Hours.

Diagnosis and management of important diseases of cotton, fruits, rice, trees, soybeans, wheat, and vegetables will be covered in a lecture, laboratory, and field format. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 4 hours per week. Four 1-day field trips will be involved. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: PLPA 30003. (Typically offered: Summer)

PLPA 56003. Plant Pathogenic Fungi. 3 Hours.

Plant Pathogenic Fungi is structured as an integrated lecture/laboratory class designed for students that are interested in developing an understanding and appreciation for taxonomy, biology, and ecology of plant pathogenic fungi and related saprophytic fungi. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: PLPA 30003 or graduate standing. (Typically offered: Fall Odd Years)

PLPA 6000V. Master's Thesis. 1-6 Hour.

Master's Thesis. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for degree credit.

PLPA 62003. Plant Virology. 3 Hours.

Lecture emphasizing discussion of recent advances in plant virology. Laboratory concerned with techniques and equipment used in plant virus studies, including transmission of viruses, characterization utilizing ultracentrifugation, spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, electron microscopy, and serology. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: CHEM 58103 or CHEM 58403 or CHEM 68703 or consent of instructor. (Typically offered: Fall Even Years)