Medical Entomology

Master’s Degree in Medical Entomology

If you’re interested in the principles and practices of integrated pest management in the public health sector, a master’s degree in medical entomology could help propel your career to new heights. The courses in this online program provide a foundational knowledge of entomology, insect classification and ecological concepts.

As an online student specializing in medical entomology, you’ll benefit from not one, but two career-boosting credentials you can proudly add to your resume upon graduation. By completing the required courses for the master’s degree program and the 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Medical Entomology, your diploma will display the following titles:

Master of Science in Entomology and Nematology
Graduate Certificate in Medical Entomology

Furthermore, you have the flexibility to choose from a wide selection of electives that align with your academic and professional goals. Whether it’s Biology and Identification or Exotic Species and Biosecurity Issues, your committee supervisor can guide you in selecting the courses that best suit your needs. For more information, please contact Dr. Georgette Kluiters or refer to the master’s degree handbook.

Who Is This Program For?

Whether you’re an experienced professional looking to enhance your skillset or you’re embarking on an entirely new career, this program is well-suited for those pursuing roles including:

  • Ecologists
  • Biologists
  • Postsecondary teachers
  • Public health entomologists
  • Consultants

Medical Entomology

Required Courses

Course NameCreditsFallSpringSummer
ENY 5006 Graduate Survey of Entomology3XXX
ENY 5006L Graduate Survey of Entomology Lab1XXX
ENY 6166 Insect Classification3XX
ENY 6206 Ecology of Vector Borne Diseases2X
ENY 6651C Insect Toxicology (Available Even Years Only) OR  3X
IPM 5305 Principles of Pesticides3X
STA 6093 Introduction to Applied Statistics for Agricultural and Life Sciences3XX
ENY 6931 – Seminar in Science Communication1X
ENY 6905 Capstone Project2-3XXX
To add the certificate in medical entomology
ENY 6665 Advanced Medical and Veterinary Entomology3X
ENY 6951C Advanced Mosquito ID (In-Person Attendance at Vero Beach, FL Location Required) OR3X
ENY 6934 Arthropod Vector ID3X
ENY 6593 Advanced Mosquito Biology3X
And choose 2 or more credits from the following:
ENY 5226C Principles of Urban Pest Management3X
IPM 6021 Insect Pest and Vector Management3X
ENY 5212 Insects and Wildlife3X
Other applicable courses from ENY or other majors for remaining credits

Specialization Option

By earning your master’s degree with a specialization in medical entomology, you’ll also be completing our 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Medical Entomology. Please contact Dr. Georgette Kluiters or refer to the master’s degree handbook for more information.

Elective Courses

Whether you earn a master’s degree with specialization in medical entomology or opt for a broader range of entomology courses with your advisor’s approval, our program allows you to choose from a wide variety of elective courses in entomology. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 3 credit hours of coursework to graduate during the spring or fall semester and 2 credit hours to graduate in the summer semester.

Course NameCreditsFallSpringSummer
ALS 6166 Exotic Species and Biosecurity Issues3X
ALS 6935 Topics in Biological Invasions3X
ALS 6942 Principles of Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Management3X
ENY 5160C Survey of Science with Insects3X
ENY 5212 Insects and Wildlife3X
ENY 5223C Biology and Identification of Urban Pests3X
ENY 5226C Principles of Urban Pest Management3X
ENY 5241 Biological Control (Live Attendance Required; Available Even Years Only)4X
IPM 6021 Insect Pest and Vector Management3X
ENY 5405 Insects as Vectors of Plant Pathogens (Available Even Years Only)3X
ENY 5516 Turf and Ornamental Entomology3X
ENY 5566 Tropical Entomology (Live Attendance Required; Available Odd Years Only)3X
ENY 5567 Tropical Entomology Lab (Live Attendance Required; Available Odd Years Only)2X
ENY 6572 Apiculture I3XXX
ENY 6166 Insect Classification3XX
ENY 6203 Insect Ecology and Laboratory3X
ENY 6203L Insect Ecology Laboratory1
ENY 6206 Ecology of Vector-borne Diseases2X
ENY 6401 Insect Physiology3X
ENY 6575 Apiculture II3X
ENY 6593 Advanced Mosquito Biology3X
ENY 6651C Insect Toxicology (Available Even Years Only)3X
ENY 6665 Advanced Medical and Veterinary Entomology3X
ENY 6821 Insect Microbiology (Available Even Years Only)3X
ENY 6576 Honey Bee Biology3X
NEM 5004C Graduate Survey of Nematology3X

Admission Requirements

Master’s Degree:

  • A bachelor’s degree in a science field from a regionally accredited university. If your undergraduate degree is not in a science field, it should be supplemented with the following coursework:
    • One year (two semesters) of general biology
    • At least one semester of general chemistry
    • Algebra and trigonometry
    • At least one semester of physics (recommended)
    • Introductory statistics (recommended)
  • An upper-division undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Acceptable TOEFL scores (international students only)
  • Three letters of recommendation from individuals in a position to evaluate your academic potential*
  • A resume/CV*
  • A statement of purpose, written by the student, which should indicate previous training and experience, interests, and educational and career goals as an entomologist or nematologist*

Pursuant to Florida Statute, your application requires inclusion of all post-high school education and employment, as well as information about ongoing international affiliations and research funding. Please ensure this information is included on your curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé.

* These materials can be appended to your online application.

For more information about admission requirements, please visit the admissions page.

Requirements to Earn Degree
Our online, non-thesis entomology master’s degree requires 30 credit hours of coursework. At least 15 of these 30 credits must be earned through graded courses in the Entomology & Nematology major at the 5000 level. Six of these 30 credits may be S/U graded. One or two minors of at least 6 credits each may be chosen, but are not required. Six credits outside the major may be courses numbered 3000 and 4000. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required in the major, the minor and to graduate. No grade below a “C” will count toward your degree. Students must be enrolled for a minimum of 3 credit hours of coursework to graduate during spring or fall semesters and for 2 credit hours to graduate in a summer semester.

Transferring Credits Toward a Master’s Degree
Up to 15 credits earned in your UF certificate program or up to 6 credits (two courses) earned as a non-degree seeking student can be transferred to the master’s degree. For credits to transfer, you must apply and be admitted to the master’s degree program and have earned a grade of “B” or higher in the course(s). International students will also need to have acceptable TOEFL scores. Successful completion of courses taken as a non-degree seeking student or in the graduate certificate program does NOT guarantee acceptance into the master’s degree program.

Final Examination
The final examination consists of both written and oral components and is usually given in the last semester of the program. The exam may contain questions from subject matter covered in any of the required courses taken during the program. The written exam will be taken on a computer and will be proctored, using an online proctoring service such as ProctorU. The oral exam will be conducted via Skype or Zoom, at a time convenient to the student and their committee members.

Distance Program Coordinator
The distance coordinator for this program is Dr. Georgette Kluiters.

Library Access
Students taking UF Entomology and Nematology courses can use their Gatorlink account to access their online courses, UF libraries and billing.

Learn More About the Program

Click for details about the Entomology and Nematology program.