Applied Entomology
- Sciences
- 400 level
- 2 credit units
- 193 pages
- 15 units
This course introduces undergraduate Biology students to applied entomology, covering chemical pest control methods, their formulations, and metabolism. It explores insect behavior in the environment, problems of resistance, and integrated pest management (IPM). Alternative control strategies, including insect-plant co-evolution, plant resistance, insect-insect relationships, and manipulating insect behavior using semio-chemicals and sterile-insect techniques, are analyzed. Pest forecasting is also covered.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 120 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of BIO414, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
BIO414 · UNIT 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE SYSTEMATICS OF INSECTS AND MITES
In this unit you would be studying about the evolution of systematics especially with respect to insects, the elements and objectives of classification and the general classification of insects and mites.
What you should be able to do
- Understand insect classification and identification.
- Evaluate chemical pest control methods and their impact.
- Apply integrated pest management strategies.
- Analyze insect-plant co-evolution.
- Assess plant resistance to insects.
- Implement pest forecasting techniques.
What it prepares you for
- Entomologist
- Pest Control Specialist
- Agricultural Consultant
- Research Scientist
- Environmental Manager
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Public Health
- Environmental Conservation
- Research
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Chemical Pest Control Methods and Their Formulations
Unit 2: Metabolism and Behaviour in the Environment
Metabolism pathways of insecticides require understanding of complex biochemical processes and enzyme interactions.
- Module 3: Alternative Control Strategies
Unit 1: Alternative Control Strategies: Insect-Plant Co-Evolution
Understanding the intricate relationships between insects and plants requires knowledge of ecological principles and evolutionary biology.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 30 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction to the Systematics of Insects and Mites
Unit 1: Introduction to the Systematics of Insects and Mites · 2 hours
Define systematics, nomenclature, and taxonomy.. Explain the objectives of classification.. Outline the general classification of insects and mites.. Complete TMA 1..
- Week 2Module 1: Introduction to the Systematics of Insects and Mites
Unit 2: Biology of Major Economically Important Insects · 2 hours
Explain the economic classification of insects.. Differentiate between economic classes.. Describe the biology and lifecycle of a honey bee.. Complete TMA 2..
- Week 3Module 1: Introduction to the Systematics of Insects and Mites
Unit 3: Biology of Major Economically Important Mites · 2 hours
Describe the body structure of a mite.. Discuss the morphology and life cycle of the itch mite.. Draw the life cycle of the itch mite.. Complete TMA 3..
- Week 4Module 1: Introduction to the Systematics of Insects and Mites
Unit 4: Roles of Insects and Mites as Pests and Parasites · 2 hours
Identify parasitic mites in invertebrates and vertebrates.. Explain roles as parasites in their hosts.. State insect pests and parasites and their roles.. Complete TMA 4..
- Week 5Module 2: Chemical Pest Control Methods and Their Formulations
Unit 1: Chemical Pest Control Methods and Their Formulations · 2 hours
Explain chemical pest control and pesticides.. Give a brief history of insecticide development.. State the various generations of insecticides.. Complete TMA 1..
- Week 6Module 2: Chemical Pest Control Methods and Their Formulations
Unit 2: Metabolism and Behaviour in the Environment · 2 hours
Illustrate the pathways of insecticide metabolism.. Discuss the metabolism of insecticide classes.. Describe pesticide properties affecting environmental behavior.. Complete TMA 2..
- Week 7Module 2: Chemical Pest Control Methods and Their Formulations
Unit 3: Problems of Resistance · 2 hours
Define pesticide resistance.. Explain the development of resistance.. Give examples of pesticide resistance.. Complete TMA 3..
- Week 8Module 2: Chemical Pest Control Methods and Their Formulations
Unit 4: Integrated Pest Management · 2 hours
Define integrated pest management.. State the reasons for pest management.. Describe stages in crop protection.. Complete TMA 4..
- Week 9Module 3: Alternative Control Strategies
Unit 1: Alternative Control Strategies: Insect-Plant Co-Evolution · 2 hours
Explain insect-plant co-evolution.. Discuss types of insect-plant coevolution.. Describe the insect and plant aspects.. Complete TMA 1..
- Week 10Module 3: Alternative Control Strategies
Unit 2: Plant Resistance and Insect Numbers · 2 hours
Define host plant resistance.. Explain types of plant resistance.. Describe mechanisms of plant resistance.. Complete TMA 2..
- Week 11Module 3: Alternative Control Strategies
Unit 3: Insect-Insect Relationships · 2 hours
Discuss the history of insect-insect relationships.. Explain insect predator-prey relationships.. Describe insect parasitoid-host relationships.. Complete TMA 3..
- Week 12Module 3: Alternative Control Strategies
Unit 4: Manipulating Insect Behaviour · 2 hours
Explain insect behavioral manipulation methods.. Give examples of behavioral manipulation methods.. Describe attract-annihilate method.. Complete TMA 4..
- Week 13Module 4:
Unit 1: Alternative Control Strategies: Semio-Chemicals · 2 hours
Define semio-chemicals.. State the goals of using semio-chemicals.. Describe the various classes of semio-chemicals and their use.. Complete TMA 1..
Unit 2: Alternative Control Strategies: Sterile-Insect Technique · 2 hours
Define sterile-insect technique.. Explain the theoretical background to the use of SIT.. Describe the methods of sterilization.. Complete TMA 2..
Unit 3: Pest Forecasting · 2 hours
Explain the terms: pest monitoring, pest surveillance, pest forecasting, and economic injury level.. State the objective of pest surveillance.. Calculate the economic injury level.. Complete TMA 3..
Preparing for the exam
- Create flashcards for key insecticide classes and their modes of action (Units 1-2).
- Develop diagrams illustrating insect-plant co-evolution and resistance mechanisms (Units 1, 2, Module 3).
- Practice calculating economic injury levels (EIL) using sample data (Unit 3, Module 4).
- Review case studies of successful IPM programs and their components (Unit 4, Module 2).
- Focus on understanding the principles and applications of sterile insect technique (Unit 2, Module 4).
Questions students ask about this course
What is BIO414 about?
This course introduces undergraduate Biology students to applied entomology, covering chemical pest control methods, their formulations, and metabolism. It explores insect behavior in the environment, problems of resistance, and integrated pest management (IPM). Alternative control strategies, including insect-plant co-evolution, plant resistance, insect-insect relationships, and manipulating insect behavior using semio-chemicals and sterile-insect techniques, are analyzed. Pest forecasting is also covered.
How many units does BIO414 have?
BIO414, Applied Entomology, has 15 units across 4 modules, over 193 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is BIO414?
BIO414 carries 2 credit units, at 400 level in Sciences.
Is BIO414 hard?
BIO414 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does BIO414 take to study?
About 120 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is BIO414 assessed?
BIO414 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with BIO414?
Entomologist, Pest Control Specialist, Agricultural Consultant, Research Scientist and Environmental Manager.