BS Entomology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Wisconsin Madison

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Entomology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison explores insects and their relationships with plants, animals, microbes, ecosystems, and humans, combining fundamental science with practical applications in agriculture, health, ecology, conservation, and pest management. It suits students interested in biological science and the natural world, with opportunities to learn through laboratory and field courses, research, internships, and study abroad.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through Introductory Biology, General Chemistry, and mathematics such as College Algebra and Trigonometry (MATH 112) and MATH 113. These courses develop the biological, chemical, quantitative, and general-education knowledge needed for progressively advanced entomology study.

Year 2: Students continue their biology and chemistry preparation while completing MATH 221 – Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1 and broader electives. This stage strengthens their understanding of biological and physical sciences and prepares them for specialized insect science in the following year.

Year 3: The major moves into dedicated entomology with ENTOM/ZOOLOGY 302 – Introduction to Entomology, where students study insect morphology and classification, alongside physics and biological or physical science electives. Students can then complete ENTOM 468 – Studies in Field Entomology as the recommended capstone, gaining direct field-based experience with insects.

Year 4: Students deepen their specialization through entomology electives such as ENTOM 331 – Taxonomy of Mature Insects, ENTOM 321 – Physiology of Insects, ENTOM 450 – Basic and Applied Insect Ecology, ENTOM 344 – From Flowers to Food: Pollinator Ecology and Conservation, or ENTOM/ZOOLOGY 371 – Medical Entomology: Biology of Vector and Vector-borne Diseases. The final year also allows students to integrate biological and physical science electives, research, internships, or thesis work into their degree pathway.

Focus Areas: Insect taxonomy, insect physiology, ecology, pollinator conservation, medical entomology, parasitology, economic entomology, biodiversity, global change, plant-insect interactions, agricultural entomology, and insect research.

Learning Outcomes: Students learn to explain major biological concepts focused on insects, apply laboratory and field methodologies, design and conduct scientific experiments, understand structure-function relationships from molecular to ecological levels, communicate scientific findings, and integrate mathematics, physics, and technology into biological research.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The University of Wisconsin–Madison lists Entomology as a BS (Bachelor of Science) and does not state a separate professional accreditation for the undergraduate Entomology major. The curriculum provides preparation for employment in universities, biotechnology companies, government agencies, agricultural companies, research institutes, consulting firms, and environmental or conservation organizations.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): UW–Madison reports a 96.3% first-year retention rate and an 89.7% six-year graduation rate for the Fall 2019 cohort. Its 2024–2025 First Destination Survey reports that 91% of graduates agreed or strongly agreed that UW–Madison prepared them for their next career step, while 62.1% were employed after graduation and 26.6% entered graduate school; the university also reports that LinkedIn ranked UW–Madison 50th nationally and 10th among public universities for setting graduates up for long-term career success.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the BS in Entomology at UW–Madison gain practical experience through field and laboratory courses, independent research, internships, and hands-on work with insect specimens. The program provides access to faculty-led research laboratories, the Wisconsin Insect Research Collection, field-based learning, and small laboratory classes designed to maximize participation; UW–Madison states that nearly all undergraduate entomology students have opportunities to work alongside faculty and graduate students in research labs or in the field. These opportunities allow students to develop skills in insect identification, specimen collection, ecological observation, research methods, and scientific analysis:

Field Studies: ENTOM 468 – Studies in Field Entomology provides hands-on field experience and is the recommended capstone for the major; students can also undertake field and laboratory experiences in upper-level courses.
Taxonomy & Specimen Work: ENTOM 331 – Taxonomy of Mature Insects and ENTOM 432 – Taxonomy and Bionomics of Immature Insects develop practical skills in insect identification, collection, preservation, and taxonomic study.
Research Projects: ENTOM 299 – Independent Study allows students to conduct research under the direct guidance of a faculty member, while ENTOM 691 – Senior Thesis provides an opportunity to investigate an original research question and communicate the findings.
Research Laboratories: Undergraduate students can join faculty research labs working across areas ranging from insect conservation, ecology, biodiversity, and climate change to molecular research, insecticides, and virus transmission.
Wisconsin Insect Research Collection (WIRC): Students can gain research and internship experience through the WIRC, a UW–Madison research and educational core containing extensive insect collections and supporting field surveys and collections-based research.
Imaging & Microscopy: WIRC facilities include microscopes, student workspace, and an Auto-Montage digital imaging system used to create focus-stacked insect images, giving students access to tools used in specimen-based research.
Digital Research Tools: The UW Integrated Specimen Portal provides a shared digital research tool bringing together natural-history collections and specimen information from across UW–Madison.
Internships: ENTOM 399 – Coordinative Internship/Cooperative Education provides academic credit for internship or cooperative-education experiences, while additional internship opportunities are available through the department and WIRC.
Field Research: Faculty research can involve work in Wisconsin and beyond; for example, the Gratton Lab conducts insect research in agricultural fields across Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest and in Iceland.
Teaching Laboratories: Entomology teaching collections are housed in Russell Laboratories 147 and 153, with dedicated insect specimens and approximately 15 24-drawer cabinets supporting departmental instruction.
Student Outreach: Through the Insect Ambassadors program, undergraduate students can participate in service learning and teaching activities involving K–12 outreach.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Entomology prepares students for careers spanning agricultural companies, biotechnology, government agencies, research institutes, education, environmental organizations, and private consulting. UW–Madison emphasizes both practical field and laboratory experience and opportunities for undergraduate research, giving graduates a strong foundation for employment or further study.

Typical Job Roles: Entomologist, Research Assistant, Agricultural Consultant, Environmental Scientist.

Career Support & Employment Pathways:

Career Advising: Students receive support from an academic advisor and faculty advisor, while CALS Career Services provides one-on-one career guidance, resume and cover-letter assistance, interview preparation, career exploration, job-search strategies, and graduate-school guidance.
Research Experience: Nearly all Entomology undergraduates have opportunities to work with faculty and graduate students in research laboratories and field settings, with independent research and internship credits available within the major.
Internships: Students can access internships and employment opportunities both on and off campus, including opportunities through the UW Insect Research Collection (WIRC) and collecting expeditions in Wisconsin and around the United States.
Career Network: Graduates enter sectors including biotechnology companies, state and federal agencies, international agricultural research centers, agricultural companies, NGOs, universities, and private consulting firms.

Employment & Salary Outcomes:

Overall Employment: UW–Madison's 2024–2025 First Destination Survey reports 62.1% of undergraduate graduates were employed after graduation, while 93% of job-, service-, or military-seeking graduates accepted a position within six months.
Graduate Study: 26.6% of the 2024–2025 graduating class was admitted to graduate school after graduation.
Career Preparation: 91% of surveyed graduates agreed or strongly agreed that UW–Madison prepared them for the next step in their career path.
Salary Data: UW–Madison provides graduate earnings information through its Post-Graduation Outcomes resources and the Census Bureau's PSEO data, but the official Entomology BS page does not publish a specific salary figure for Entomology graduates.

University–Industry Connections: Entomology graduates can enter biotechnology, agriculture, consulting, and other industry sectors, while the department's research and outreach activities connect students with practical issues including integrated pest management, agricultural and turf entomology, natural resources, forest products, and public-health concerns such as West Nile Virus and Lyme disease.

Long-Term Accreditation Value: The official UW–Madison Entomology BS information does not state a separate professional accreditation specifically for the bachelor's degree. The program instead provides a broad scientific foundation, research experience, field and laboratory training, and preparation for employment or graduate study.

Graduation Outcomes: UW–Madison reports that Entomology graduates move into university teaching, community education, research and extension, state and federal government service, industry, and research institutes. The university's latest overall undergraduate outcomes also show that 90% of respondents were employed, pursuing continuing education, engaged in entrepreneurship, serving in the military, or contributing through volunteer organizations after graduation.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS in Entomology, students can progress to graduate study in entomology and related biological, agricultural, ecological, environmental, or public-health fields. The department specifically provides faculty guidance on graduate school, and the research experience available during the bachelor's degree can help students develop the laboratory, field, scientific-method, and research skills needed for advanced study.