Entomology
Doctor of Philosophy
Become an insect expert
Hiking the Madrean Sky Islands of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico in search of new tarantula species — and learning the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Gilliam Fellowship while they’re at it — is all in a day’s work for a U of I doctoral student of entomology and their advisor.
In Idaho’s only Ph.D. program in entomology, your research takes you from the lab to the field, from Idaho’s diverse ecological conditions and cropping systems to Mexico and beyond as you gain a deeper understanding of insects and their impact on agriculture, human health and the environment. You’ll have the opportunity to carry out research using modern molecular techniques in U of I’s new biotech wing. Acquire the skills to breed pest-resistant plants, tackle emerging pollination issues and battle insect-borne diseases here and abroad.
As a doctoral student of entomology, you’ll have access to:
- The William F. Barr Entomology Museum’s vast collection of western insects
- The Hubert C. Manis Laboratory greenhouses for working with insects
- U of I’s research and Extension centers
Overview
Related Topics
Small subjects, big impact
Application information
Applicants for the master’s in entomology program must meet the following degree-specific admission requirements:
- Education level: Bachelor's degree
- Undergraduate GPA: 3.0 (applicants with a lower GPA may be considered under specific circumstances)
- GRE: No
- TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo: 79/6.5/115 (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language)
- Number of references: Three
- Other requirements: No
Program availability
Concentration: Thesis
Semester intake: Fall, Spring, Summer
- Eligible for international admission
Deadlines: General application deadlines
Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.
Contact information
Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology contact: Mark Schwarzlaender; markschw@uidaho.edu
Graduate Admissions contact: graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu, 208-885-4001
Find Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology faculty advisor contacts
Costs, funding and research
To learn how you can fund your graduate degree, check out the Graduate Funding page.
Visit Financial Aid to find detailed information about the cost of attendance.
Recognized STEM Program
This program is recognized as a STEM program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and may be eligible for the 24-month STEM optional practical training extension for international students.
Degree fit
This program could be a good fit if you:
- Hold an undergraduate degree in entomology, biology, fisheries, ecology or related area.
- Enjoy studying insects.
- Want to conduct research in the lab and in the field.
- Want to advance agriculture and help the environment.
- Can think analytically and critically about complex problems.
Hands-on learning
- Hubert C. Manis Laboratory
- William F. Barr Entomology Museum
- Computer-controlled greenhouses
- Research and Extension centers
- Agricultural producers, commodity commissions and other groups
Student clubs
- Aldrich Entomology Club
Career outcomes
Current job openings
2,216 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Natural Sciences Managers • Clinical Research Coordinators
$152,883 - Soil and Plant Scientists
$80,096 - Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
$52,845 - Postsecondary Agricultural Sciences Teachers
$82,848
* Career data provided by Lightcast.