Contact Information
Entomology & Plant Pathology
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS 39762-9775
TEL: (662) 325-2085
FAX: (662) 325-8837
Building Locations
Degrees & Courses
For a list of courses in Entomology and Plant Pathology go to the MSU Online Catalog and select "Entomology and Plant Pathology" in the Subject dropdown list and "Graduate" or "Undergraduate" in the Level dropdown list.
Entomology
Entomology is the study of insects and exists separately from the Department of Biology primarily because of the enormous impact of insects on the health and economic well-being of mankind. The Clay Lyle Entomology Complex houses the staff and administrative offices of the department, and the laboratory and classroom facilities support a broad range of research and teaching functions.
The strength of the program is greatly enhanced by the close proximity, and cooperation, of scientists in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Boll Weevil Research Unit and the R. T. Gast Insect Rearing Laboratory, operated cooperatively by the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) and the U.S.D.A. The department offers the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Entomology.
Plant Pathology
Plant pathology is the study of plant diseases, their causal agents and methods of control. Emphasis is placed on protection of environmental quality. The department offers graduate programs of study leading to the Master of Science, and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Plant Pathology.
Integrated Pest Management, an Interdisciplinary Curriculum
This department offers interdisciplinary programs of study with the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences leading to the Bachelor of Science and Master of Agriculture (non-thesis) degrees in Agricultural Pest Management. Effective management of pest problems in production agriculture requires a broad base of knowledge in the pest disciplines and practical field experience.
The undergraduate Agricultural Pest Management major features a strong core of courses in the three pest disciplines (entomology, plant pathology and weed science) and a summer internship combined with strong background in agricultural, biological and physical sciences. The student's complete program will be formulated in the department of his/her choice. These curricula are designed to meet the needs both of students who wish to pursue advanced degrees (M.A., M.S., Ph.D.) and of students who wish to terminate their higher education with a baccalaureate degree.
Students will be encouraged to select electives which best suit their career objectives. For example, students who plan to pursue graduate studies beyond the B.S. degree should plan to take such courses as calculus, physics, foreign language, invertebrate zoology and others which will provide a stronger basis for advanced study in the discipline.
Graduates are well prepared for employment with agricultural industries such as chemical, seed or biotechnology companies; state and federal research, extension and regulatory agencies; agricultural consulting; farmer's cooperatives; nurseries, home and garden centers, greenhouse plant production; and corporate farms.
Contact Dr. Fred R. Musser for information on the IPM program.