Syllabus: Entomology 115

Insect Biology

Fall 2003

Location: Home Economics Room 31

Time: 1:00 - 1:50 pm Tuesday and Thursday

Instructor: Dr. Tiffany Heng-Moss

Office: 201B Plant Industry, East Campus

Office Hours: Tuesday 9:00 - 11:00 am or by appointment

Phone: 472-8708 (office)

E-mail: tiffany@unlserve.unl.edu

Entomology Department Web Site: http://entomology.unl.edu

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This course offers a general introduction to insects. Its focus includes insect diversity, insect morphology and physiology, insect ecology and behavior, and considerations of the economic and medical importance of insects. By the end of this course you should be able to recognize common insects that occur in Nebraska and understand their biology and unique adaptations.

WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?

TEXTBOOK

There is no required text. References that you may find useful throughout the semester include the following introductory entomology textbooks:

 

Pedigo, L. 1999. Entomology and pest management, 3rd edition. Prentice Hall, London.

O’Toole, C. 1986. The encyclopedia of insects. Facts on File, NY.

Turpin, F.T. 2000. Insect Appreciation, 2nd edition. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENTS AND EXAMS

Office Visit:

To earn the 5 points for this assignment, all you need to do is come by my office and visit with me for a few minutes before September 12. The purpose of this assignment is to help me get to know the students in the class, learn about your interests, and reasons for taking the course.

Assignments and Class Activities:

1. Insect Pets - Each of you will have two insect house-guests for the semester. You will be responsible for rearing these insects and writing 2 short essays on your experience. Each essay should be approximately 3 to 4 pages in length and include appropriate observations on the development and growth of your insect pets.

   
   Due Date: October 7, 2003 (Madagascar Hissing Cockroach)
   Due Date: December 4, 2003 (Hornworm)

 

2. Class and Website Activities - Throughout the semester you will also be assigned several class and website activities some of which will be done during class and others outside of lecture.
   
   
   • Cockroach Success (Class Activity)
   • Cockroach Tractor Pull (Class Activity)
   • Comparison of Human and Insect Physiological Systems (Class Activity)
   • Designer Insect (Class Activity)
   • Genetically Modified Mosquitoes (Class Activity)
   • Bt Corn and Monarch Butterflies (Website Activity)

Assignments are due on time. Late assignments will be down graded 5 points per day, and assignments more than one week late will not be graded. If circumstances arise that do not allow you to complete your assignments by the specified dates, please come visit with me.

From time to time at the end of class, I will ask you to write your thought about one or two of the topics discussed that day. The purposes of these quizzes are to encourage attendance and to give feedback to me regarding the success fo the day's lecture.

Hourly Exams:

There will be two hourly exams during the semester. Each exam will be a combination of short answers, essay, and multiple choice questions.

No make up exams without prior approval or a written confirmation of a medical problem or family emergency!!!

Final Exam:

The final exam will cover concepts from the entire semester. The final exam will have the same format as the hourly exams. You must take the final at the time assigned to the lecture.

COURSE EVALUATION

Letter grades will be assigned based on straight percentages of 100 - 90% A range, 89 - 80% B ranges, etc.; however, I reserve the right to use a more lenient scale if needed.

SCALE