Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology

Telephone: (302) 831-2526
E-mail: mccarthy@udel.edu 
Department: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/departments/entomology-and-wildlife-ecology/

Faculty Listing: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/departments/entomology-and-wildlife-ecology/faculty-staff/ 

The Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology offers undergraduate programs leading to the Bachelor of Science degrees in 1) Insect Ecology and Conservation, and 2) Wildlife Ecology and Conservation.  The department also offers a minor in Insect and Wildlife Conservation.  An Honor’s degree option is offered for both majors in the department.  Students in either major may also be eligible for the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation/Insect and Wildlife Environmental Education 4+1 (BS/MS)  .  The department further offers a minor in Insect and Wildlife Conservation.

1) Insect Ecology and Conservation emphasizes the structure, physiology, behavior, development, ecology, classification, and management of insects. 

In the Insect Ecology and Conservation (BS) major, students can focus their biological interest on insects. This program requires basic sciences as well as specialty courses on insects. Flexibility in course selection permits students to emphasize insect biology, insect ecology, or pest management. The curriculum includes extensive hands-on, discovery-based learning opportunities. 

2) Wildlife Ecology and Conservation emphasizes the biology and ecology of all non-domesticated species and the perpetuation of free-living populations in their native habitats.

The Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (BS) major is for students with interests in the biological aspects of environmental science, e.g., species conservation, wildlife biology, or ecology. It requires basic sciences, specialty courses in vertebrates, insects, plants, conservation, and other supporting areas. The curriculum’s flexibility accommodates career goals ranging from wildlife biologist to nature education, conservation advocacy, research, and wildlife management. Meeting the requirements for the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation major should provide the student with the minimum educational requirements for certification as an Associate Wildlife Biologist by The Wildlife Society, the professional society for wildlife biologists. Students will be exposed to a wide array of hands-on, discovery-based learning opportunities. 

University of Delaware students in other majors who wish to transfer to or add insect ecology and conservation or wildlife ecology and conservation majors must have a UD grade point average of at least 2.0. In addition, completion of the major must be the stated intention of the student and a realistic possibility before the student’s intended graduation date. Students with a GPA below 2.0 are encouraged to contact the Department for advisement on course selection appropriate to the desired major while improving their GPA.

Programs

• Insect Ecology and Conservation (BS)
• Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (BS)

• Insect and Wildlife Conservation Minor

• Insect Ecology and Conservation Honors (HBS)
• Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Honors (HBS)

• Insect Ecology and Conservation/Insect and Wildlife Environmental Education 4+1 (BS/MS)
• Wildlife Ecology and Conservation/Insect and Wildlife Environmental Education 4+1 (BS/MS)
• Wildlife Ecology and Conservation/Secondary STEM Education 4+1 (BS/MS)