Pest Management

200 | 300 | 400

(Interdepartmental Undergraduate Program)

Advisory Committee: Jon Tollefson, Chair; Hall, Gibson, Minner, Pease

The pest management program is designed for students with a career interest in the science and technology of pest management. Students in the program conduct inter-disciplinary studies with plant diseases, insects, weeds, and other pests, emphasizing the development of management systems that are ecologically and economically sound, as well as sustainable. The interdisciplinary nature of the program is reflected in the departmental sponsors-Agronomy, Animal Ecology, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Forestry, and Horticulture.

Pest management is an undergraduate secondary major that may be taken only in conjunction with a primary major. For example, the student may wish to take a primary major in agronomy, forestry, entomology, or some other life science and use elective credits to satisfy the requirements of the pest management major. Graduates have a broad knowledge of agricultural, horticultural, forest pests, as well as those of man and animals. Graduates can diagnose pest problems and recommend ecologically and economically sound systems to alleviate these problems. They are well versed on the pest concept, are able to identify pests and symptoms of pest injury, and understand the economics of decision making. Moreover, graduates are aware of technologically advanced pest management tactics and are skilled in applying these. Students educated in pest management may find employment opportunities with governmental agencies (state and federal), agricultural chemical companies, food-processing firms, consulting agencies, urban pest control companies, timber companies, and other concerns that produce, process, and market the nation's food and fiber.

Students wishing to enroll in the pest management curriculum must register with the chair of the advisory committee. After consultation with the chair, a pest management adviser will be assigned, depending on the interests of the student. The student should indicate interest in pest management as early as possible in order that requirements of the program be effectively integrated with those of the primary major.

A pest management minor may be earned by completion of at least 15 credits of pest management or related courses taken at ISU. The courses that must be taken for a minor are: Agron 317; Ent 376; Pl P 408. The remainder of the 15 credits are to be selected from the following: Ent 374; Pl P 416; P M 491, 499. Courses required in a student's major may not be applied toward the pest management minor. Contact the pest management chair for more details.

Courses open for nonmajor graduate credit: 376, 416.

Courses primarily for undergraduate students

P M 283. Pesticide Applicator Certification. (Same as Ent 283.) See Entomology.

P M 317. Principles of Weed Science. (Same as Agron 317.) See Agronomy.

P M 376. Fundamentals of Entomology and Pest Management. (Same as Ent 376.) See Entomology. Nonmajor graduate credit.

P M 408. Principles of Plant Pathology. (Same as Pl P 408.) See Plant Pathology.

P M 416. Forest Pest Management. (Same as Pl P 416.) See Plant Pathology. Nonmajor graduate credit.

P M 490. Independent Study. Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken. Prereq: Junior or senior classification, 3 credits in pest management, permission of instructor, and written plan of study approved by pest management curriculum chair. A maximum of 6 credits of 490 may be used toward the total of 128 credits required for graduation.

P M 491. Pest Management Experience. Cr. 2. Prereq: 6 credits in pest management; permission of instructor. Practical experience (internship) in management of plant diseases, insect populations, weeds, and other pests. Diagnosis, problem assessment, and control procedures are emphasized. For majors and advanced students.

P M 499. Pest Management Seminar. Cr. 1. F. Prereq: Senior classification. Current topics of interest to pest management.