ENTOMOLOGY FOR EDUCATORS
ENT 525

(formerly ENT 591-K)

Spring, 2009


Read about this course in Perspectives Magazine


Registration Information

Course Objectives

Schedule of Topics

Grading




I.

Instructor:       Dr. John R. Meyer

II.

Class Meetings:
Thursdays   5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
4302 Gardner Hall

III.

Course Objectives:

  • Learn to recognize major groups of insects and related arthropods
  • Acquire techniques for keeping/rearing insects in a classroom
  • Discover insect paradigms for basic concepts in biology and ecology
  • Develop lesson plans for hands-on experiments with insects
  • Collect and mount insect specimens for a teaching collection

IV.

Tentative Schedule of Topics:

Jan.   8 Introduction:   Importance of Insects
15 Phylum Arthropoda
22 Class Insecta -- Microcosmos
29 Insects to Order -- Diversity and Spot ID
Feb.   5 Transformers -- Metamorphosis Quiz #1
12 Copy Cats -- Mimicry and Crypsis
19 The Ground Crew -- Soil-dwellers Quiz #2
26 Stump Stompers -- Wood-dwelling insects
Mar.   5 Spring Break -- No Class
12 Close Encounters -- Symbiosis Quiz #3
19 Water Wonders -- Aquatic invertebrates
26 Insect Physiology Quiz #4
Apr.   2 Back Talk -- Communication
  9 Easter Break -- No Class
16 High Society -- Social insects Quiz #5
23 Insects and People Quiz #6

V.

Grading:

Attendance   (5 pts/class)   28%  70 pts
Spot ID Quizzes   (best 5 of 6)   20%   50 pts
Rearing Projects     8%   20 pts
Berlese Extraction     4%   10 pts
Buggy Reports   (2 Feb/Mar)     8%   20 pts
Symbiosis Web Page     template     6%   15 pts
Insect Collection   10%   25 pts
Lesson Plan   (Apr)     8%   20 pts
Final Exam     8%   20 pts
Total 100% 250 pts


  • Final grades are computed as a percentage of total points (250):
    A+ = 98-100%;A = 93-97%;A- = 90-92%
    B+ = 88-89%;B = 83-87%;B- = 80-82%
    C+ = 78-79%;C = 73-77%;C- = 70-72%
    D+ = 68-69%;D = 63-67%;D- = 60-62%
    F = 59% and below.

  • Grade decisions for all borderline students (±2%) will be based on class participation, effort, improvement, etc.

  • A signed honor code pledge will be required on all quizzes and assignments submitted for a grade.

  • No makeups will be given for missed quizzes.   The lowest quiz grade (out of six quizzes) will be dropped.   A missed quiz will automatically become the dropped grade.


Last Updated:   29 January 2009 John R. Meyer
Department of Entomology
NC State University