How to Apply

Application Materials

The Entomology department requires specific materials for the graduate application.  These materials include

• a completed Graduate School application form and application fee. The application form is available in an electronic format  (for on-line submission).
• a current resume or CV which can be submitted through the supplemental application online (preferred) or via email to the Student Services Coordinator, Sara Rodock)
• two official sets of transcripts for all previous undergraduate and graduate study (international academic records must be in the original language accompanied by an official English translation. Documents must be issued by the school with the official seal/stamp and an official signature.) The Entomology department requires all applicants to have a BA/BS degree from an accredited institution.  A minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) on the equivalent of the last 60 semester hours from the most recent bachelor's degree institution is required for regular admission. Under some circumstances, applicants with lower averages are admitted on probation.
• statement of purpose which should describe the applicant's graduate program objectives and career focus.
• three letters of recommendation, preferably from people acquainted with the applicant's academic, research and/or professional qualifications; these letters may be submitted in one of two ways
• either online through the Graduate School's electronic format (see Electronic Letters of Recommendation Process for more information)
• or in hard copy, preferably on letterhead stationery, if the reference is submitting a letter in hard copy the appropriate cover sheet should accompany the letter (MS, PhD).
• general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (UW-Madison code R1846 - no departmental code is needed).  The department does not require any subject GRE test scores.
• every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English, must provide official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). An admitted applicant whose TOEFL (paper-based) test score is below 580; TOEFL computer-based test (CBT) score below 237; TOEFL internet based (iBT) test score below 92; IELTS score below 7; or MELAB below 82 must take an English assessment test upon arrival. The student must then register for any recommended English as a Second Language (ESL) course(s) in the first enrolled semester.
• area of interest and advisor questionnaire, the admissions committees like to see information regarding area of interest, potential advisors that have been contacted and any faculty members who have provisionally agreed to serve as advisor.  This questionnaire will appear as a part of the Graduate School application once the application to entomology has been made.

 Note: International student financial information will only be requested by the Graduate School after the departmental recommendation for admission. The Graduate School provides a list of international student expenses.

Additional information can be found on the Graduate School website. Please refer to the Graduate School Checklist for items that should be sent to the Graduate School.

Faculty Advisors

All Entomology applicants, both MS and PhD, are strongly encouraged to contact faculty members in the department before and during the admissions process.  All students are admitted directly into a faculty member's lab.  Additionally, we do not accept new graduate students into the program unless (1) financial support for the student is currently in the hands of a faculty member, or is assured by the time a student begins, or (2) a student brings independent funding and has contacted a faculty member who agrees to serve as advisor.   Some students are able to find partial support for independent funding through Teaching Assistantship positions in other departments on campus (i.e. Zoology).

Thus, it is advantageous to contact potential advisors before applying; this may save the application fee if no support is available or the professor/area of interest is not taking new students at a given time.  To determine the availability of research support, students should directly contact faculty members whose interests match their own.  The most successful applicants are those who have developed a research focus and can relate their desired area of study to that of a particular faculty member, so personal contact is imperative.  Contact should be made at least 6-12 months prior to the anticipated admissions semester.

Please note that acceptance by a faculty member (advisor) may or may not be accompanied by an offer of a research or teaching assistantship and stipend.  If such financial support is required, please be sure that this is discussed this with the faculty advisor in advance of the formal application to the department.

Once a student receives confirmation of support from a faculty member they should contact Sara Rodock who is the Student Services Coordinator.  This ensures that the application is routed to the appropriate faculty member.

Deadlines

The Entomology department accepts applications on a rolling basis; however, it is advantageous to apply as early as possible.  The department requests that all materials be submitted 6 weeks before the intended start semester.  The Graduate School requires all admissions decisions, including reentry requests, to be made five days before the start of a semester.  Applications will not be reviewed until all application materials (listed above) have been received.

Fall and Summer Admissions Deadline

Certain fellowships, awards and prospective student recruitment funds are only available to applicants who apply by February 1 for the following summer and fall semester.  It is strongly recommended that applications be received by the February 1 preference date unless otherwise instructed by a faculty member in the department.

We make every effort possible to have all admissions decisions finalized by April 15 for applicants who submit their materials by the February 1 preference date.

Spring Admissions Deadline

There is no set deadline for spring admissions consideration.

Curriculum Overview

Below is an overview of the curriculum requirements for the Entomology MS and PhD degrees.  For a more comprehensive listing of the degree requirements please visit the current students page.

MS Curriculum

• Entomology 302 Introduction to Entomology, or equivalent
• Entomology 601 Seminar in Methods of Scientific Oral Presentations
• At least two additional courses in Entomology with a total of 6 or more credits. The selected courses must include more than one subdiscipline of entomology as defined by the department (suborganismal, organismal and applied entomology).
• One seminar course from either Entomology 901 Seminar in Organismal Entomology, Entomology 903 Seminar in Evolutionary Entomology, or Entomology 905 Seminar in Applied Entomology
• Entomology 990 Research, 1-4 credits (minimally)

All MS students are also required to write and defend a thesis as a part of their degree requirements

PhD Curriculum

All Entomology PhD students are required to complete the following major requirement courses:

PhD Prerequisite Courses

• Biological sciences: courses in four of the five areas: biochemistry, genetics, physiology/cytology, ecology or population dynamics and structure or phylogeny
• Chemistry: general chemistry with lab (2 semesters), organic chemistry with lab
• Physics: general physics
• Mathematics: college level mathematics including calculus and statistics

PhD Course Requirements

• General Entomology - Entomology 302 Introduction to Entomology (or equivalent(
• Four courses distributed from the three following areas (at least one course in each category)
• Suborganismal
• Organismal
• Applied Entomology
• Entomology 601 Seminar in Methods of Scientific Oral Presentations
• Entomology 901 Seminar: Organismal Entomology
• Entomology 903 Seminar: Evolutionary Entomology
• Entomology 905 Seminar: Applied Entomology

All PhD students are also required to pass their preliminary exam and produce and defend a dissertation.