BS Entomology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Michigan State University

Program Overview

The BS in Entomology at Michigan State University provides a strong biological-science foundation while using insects and other arthropods to explore their structure, classification, biology, ecology, and management. It suits students interested in ecology, conservation, agriculture, pest management, research, and environmental science, with opportunities for laboratory research, internships, employment, and study abroad.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build their scientific foundation through subjects such as Cell and Molecular Biology, Organismal and Population Biology, and General Chemistry, developing an understanding of biological systems alongside essential laboratory and chemistry skills. Mathematics and other foundational science requirements establish the quantitative background needed for later entomology and ecology coursework.

Year 2: Students begin connecting biological science with environmental and agricultural systems through courses such as Fundamentals of Soil Science, Plants of Michigan, and Introduction to Geographic Information. This stage develops an understanding of soils, plants, landscapes, and geographic tools that can be applied to insect ecology and natural-resource management.

Year 3: Students move deeper into the discipline with Fundamentals of Entomology, Ecology, and additional approved entomology coursework. They examine insect biology and ecological relationships while developing practical knowledge relevant to beneficial and harmful arthropods and the ecosystems in which they occur.

Year 4: Advanced study emphasizes applying entomological knowledge to real-world challenges through coursework such as Organic Pest Management, additional specialized entomology subjects, and approved electives. Students can also strengthen their professional preparation through research projects, internships, employment, and study abroad, which MSU strongly encourages.

Focus areas

Insect biology, arthropod identification, ecology, conservation, pest management, soil science, agricultural systems, geographic information, environmental management, and research.

Learning outcomes

Understanding insect structure and classification, identifying arthropods, applying biological and ecological principles, managing beneficial and harmful insects, using scientific research methods, and connecting insect science with agricultural and environmental challenges.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Michigan State University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), while the Entomology BS is a university-approved Bachelor of Science program within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Michigan State University ranked No. 9 among U.S. public universities and No. 34 overall in the 2026 Global Employability University Ranking published by Times Higher Education; MSU also reports a 93% placement rate for bachelor’s degree graduates within six months.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Entomology at Michigan State University gives students hands-on experience studying insects through laboratory research, field-based work, specimen identification, ecology, pest management, and environmental applications. Students can work directly with department researchers, gain employment experience, complete internships or study abroad, and use one of the university’s major insect research collections to connect classroom learning with real scientific work.

Practical research and field experience: Students can participate in undergraduate research projects in Department of Entomology laboratories, while internships, employment opportunities, and study abroad are strongly encouraged. MSU also provides opportunities to work with insects and collect and analyze samples in field settings through departmental research labs.

Key experiential opportunities include:

Department research laboratories: Students can undertake undergraduate Entomology research projects in departmental laboratories, gaining experience with scientific investigation and research methods.
Albert J. Cook Arthropod Research Collection: The collection contains nearly 1.5 million insect and arthropod specimens preserved on pins, slides, or in alcohol for research, education, extension, and outreach. Students can work with this extensive scientific resource and access its Ecdysis collection database for specimen information.
Collection facilities and equipment: The Arthropod Research Collection provides workspace and microscopes for researchers, with pinned, alcohol-preserved, and slide collections housed in dedicated collection rooms.
MSU Bug House: Located in the Natural Science Building, the Bug House features pinned and live insects and arthropods, providing a distinctive resource for observing and learning about insects.
Field research: Students can gain practical experience through departmental research employment involving collecting data, sorting samples, and entering data, including work at farms and research stations across Michigan.
Internships and employment: The program offers opportunities for students to gain work experience in diverse areas of entomology, with internships specifically available and strongly encouraged by MSU.
Geographic Information Systems: The curriculum includes GEO 221 Introduction to Geographic Information and GEO 221L Introduction to Geographic Information Laboratory, giving students structured exposure to geographic information tools relevant to ecological and environmental applications.
Laboratory-based coursework: Students complete Organismal and Population Biology Laboratory, Chemistry Laboratory I, Ecology Laboratory, and Introductory Physics Laboratory I, alongside specialized entomology coursework such as Fundamentals of Entomology and Organic Pest Management.
Study abroad: MSU explicitly provides study abroad opportunities for Entomology students, allowing them to broaden their understanding of insects and their management in different environments.
Research from early in the degree: MSU's Natural Science facilities provide hundreds of undergraduate research opportunities, while the Natural Science Building houses the Department of Entomology and the Bug House.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Entomology at Michigan State University prepares students to apply insect biology to agriculture, conservation, ecology, human health, biodiversity, and pest management. Graduates can enter research, government, environmental, agricultural, and pest-management settings, while the program also provides opportunities for laboratory research, internships, employment, and study abroad.

Typical job roles: Research Scientist, Laboratory Technician, Environmental Consultant, Conservation Biologist.

Career support and employment preparation:

Career services: MSU’s Career Services Network provides post-graduation outcome information, employer connections, and career resources, while entomology students can find relevant positions through MSU Handshake.
Research experience: Students can undertake research projects in Department of Entomology laboratories, gaining practical experience alongside their coursework.
Internships and employment: The department encourages internships and employment in diverse areas of entomology; current opportunities include laboratory and field research positions involving insect sampling, data collection, and collaboration with organizations such as the USDA Forest Service.
Employment settings: MSU entomology graduates work with MDARD, USDA-APHIS, USDA Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Forest Service, agricultural and pest-management companies, museums, zoos, nonprofits, and the U.S. military.
Employment statistics and salary: MSU publishes bachelor’s First Destination Survey data within six months of graduation and reports a 73% knowledge rate for the 2025 class; however, MSU does not state a program-specific employment rate or salary figure for the BS in Entomology on the official program page.
University–industry partnerships: MSU’s Business Connect helps connect researchers with corporate partners for research, commercialization, and innovation. Within entomology, MSU’s research also connects with agricultural and pest-management stakeholders; for example, Project GREEEN is a partnership involving MSU, the Plant Coalition, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to address plant-agriculture challenges.
Industry-linked research: The Pollinator Performance Center, operated through MSU Entomology, MSU AgBioResearch, and MSU Extension, supports pollinator studies, teaching, outreach, and field experiments at a dedicated 15-acre site.
Global experience: Students can access faculty-directed and exchange study-abroad programs, including opportunities in Australia, India, South Africa, Costa Rica, Ireland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, with academic advising and scholarship support available through MSU Education Abroad.
Long-term accreditation value: Michigan State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, providing an established framework for the university’s academic quality and degree recognition.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates are prepared for careers supporting food and agricultural production, human health, natural resources, biodiversity, conservation, pest management, and scientific research.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS, students can continue into MSU’s Master of Science in Entomology, with graduate study covering areas such as pollination, biological control, ecology, medical entomology, pest management, environmental toxicology, insect physiology, and systematics. The MS can lead toward research, college teaching, professional employment with government or private organizations, and pest-management consulting; students interested in advanced research can subsequently pursue doctoral-level study.