Bachelor of Science in Insect Biology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Purdue University West Lafayette

Program Overview

Purdue’s Insect Biology B.S. is a great choice for students who are curious about insects and want to understand their role in agriculture, ecosystems, human health, and the environment. The program combines biology and entomology with hands-on laboratory and field experience, research, internships, and practical projects that prepare students for a wide range of careers or further study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students start by building a strong foundation in science and insect biology through courses such as ENTM 10100 – Introduction to Entomology and ENTM 10200 – The Practice of Science. Alongside these subjects, they complete mathematics, science, general education, and College of Agriculture requirements to develop essential academic and scientific skills.

Year 2:
Students explore insect biology in greater depth through courses such as ENTM 20600 – General Entomology, ENTM 20700 – General Entomology Laboratory, and ENTM 21000 – Introduction to Insect Behavior. These courses help students understand insect identification, structure, behavior, and biology while giving them valuable laboratory experience.

Year 3:
The third year focuses more on how insects function and interact with their surroundings through courses such as ENTM 25300 – Insect Physiology and Biochemistry, ENTM 30100 – Experimentation and Analysis, and ENTM 31200 – Plant-Insect Chemical Ecology. Students develop stronger research and data-analysis skills while learning how insects interact with plants and ecosystems.

Year 4:
In the final year, students apply what they have learned through advanced courses such as ENTM 41000 – Applied Insect Biology and ENTM 41001 – Insects of Urban Landscapes. The Insect Biology Capstone Experience gives students the opportunity to bring their knowledge together through research, an internship, study abroad, outreach, or other professional experiences.

Focus Areas: Insect Biology, Entomology, Insect Ecology, Insect Behavior, Insect Diversity and Identification, Insect Physiology and Biochemistry, Public Health, Medical Entomology, Plant-Insect Interactions, Environmental Science, Pest Management, Forensic Entomology, Applied Insect Biology, Research

Learning Outcomes: Understand insect biology, structure, function, behavior and ecology; develop practical laboratory and field skills; design experiments and analyze scientific data; study interactions between insects, plants and ecosystems; apply insect science to agriculture, public health and environmental challenges; communicate scientific findings effectively

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The Insect Biology B.S. is a life-science program within Purdue’s College of Agriculture and is not presented by Purdue as an ABET-accredited program. Students gain professional preparation through laboratory and fieldwork, undergraduate research, internships, study abroad opportunities and the required capstone experience.

Reputation (Employability/Career Outcomes): Purdue highlights career opportunities for Insect Biology graduates in government agencies, biotechnology, agriculture, pest management, environmental organizations, museums, zoos and education. Graduates can pursue roles such as entomologist, researcher, regulatory professional, educator, environmental consultant and other insect- and biology-related careers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in Purdue’s Insect Biology program get plenty of opportunities to learn by doing, rather than relying only on classroom study. Through laboratory and fieldwork, undergraduate research, internships, study abroad, and a faculty-mentored capstone, students can build practical skills while exploring areas such as insect ecology, plant-insect interactions, pest management, molecular biology, medical entomology, and forensic entomology. Purdue also provides access to specialized entomology research facilities and one of the university’s major insect collections, giving students valuable resources for hands-on learning and research.

Students can put their knowledge into practice through opportunities such as:

Faculty-mentored research: Students can work with Purdue Entomology faculty on undergraduate research projects covering areas such as insect ecology, integrated pest management, pollinator safety, and insect-plant interactions.
Insect Biology Capstone: Students complete ENTM 49310 – Insect Biology Capstone Experience over two semesters. The experience can involve research, outreach, an internship, study abroad, or a combination of these, followed by presenting their work through the Insect Biology Capstone Forum.
Laboratory and fieldwork: Courses provide students with hands-on experience in insect identification, biological investigation, field research, and laboratory techniques, helping them develop practical skills for further research or employment.
Purdue Entomological Research Collections (PERC): Students have access to a collection of approximately 1.8 million insect specimens representing more than 140,000 species, providing an important resource for insect identification, teaching, and research.
Specialized research laboratories: Purdue Entomology facilities support research in areas including physiology, toxicology, biochemistry, molecular genetics, and genomics. Students can also benefit from growth chambers, greenhouse facilities, and resources for studying host-plant resistance.
Field research facilities: The Entomology Field Operations Building supports field-plot research, pesticide-related laboratory experiments, workshops, and honey-bee research through the department’s apiary. Facilities also support forensic and post-harvest research.
Internships: Students can gain professional experience through internships with local, national, and international organizations. Opportunities can include research, education, agriculture, sales, and pest-control work.
Study abroad: Insect Biology students can participate in study-abroad experiences that allow them to explore insect science in different environments and can also contribute to their experiential learning and capstone requirements.
Research centers and resources: Students can benefit from Purdue resources connected with areas such as Host Plant-Insect Interactions, Arthropod Molecular Biology and Genomics, Environmental and Evolutionary Entomology, Integrated Pest Management, Forensics, and Insect Science Education. Related resources include the Center for Environmental and Regulatory Information Systems (CERIS), Center for Urban and Industrial Pest Management (CUIPM), National Agricultural Pest Information System (NAPIS), National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN), and PERC.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A B.S. in Insect Biology from Purdue can open doors to careers in agriculture, environmental science, public health, biotechnology, pest management, government, and research. Students can enter the workforce after graduation or use the strong research and practical foundation from the degree to pursue advanced study and specialized scientific careers.

Typical Job Roles: Entomologist, Researcher, Pest Management Specialist, Environmental or Public Health Professional

Students can strengthen their career prospects through Purdue’s practical experiences, employer connections, and professional opportunities:

Career and employment support: Purdue’s Entomology Department provides opportunities for internships, student employment, and career development. The department also participates in Ag Career Day, where more than 100 companies visit campus to connect with students about summer and full-time opportunities.
Internship opportunities: Students can gain real-world experience through internships with local, national, and international organizations. Purdue highlights opportunities such as a six-month internship at Walt Disney World and a summer internship in Japan, along with opportunities in research, education, agriculture, sales, and pest management.
Internship earnings: Purdue reports that paid Entomology internships typically offer around $1,400–$2,500 per month, with housing sometimes provided or subsidized.
Industry connections: Purdue Entomology graduates have worked with organizations such as Bayer Corporation, Baxter Healthcare, FMC Corporation, and A. E. Staley Manufacturing, as well as companies involved in agriculture and pest management.
Research experience: Students can work with Purdue faculty on undergraduate research projects, gaining experience that can support future careers in research and strengthen applications for graduate programs.
Employment outcomes: Purdue does not publish a specific employment rate or average starting salary for graduates of the Insect Biology B.S. Instead, the university highlights graduate career destinations across industry, government, research, education, and entrepreneurship.
Long-term professional value: Although the Insect Biology B.S. is not presented as a professionally accredited engineering program, the combination of scientific coursework, laboratory and field experience, research, internships, and the capstone provides a strong foundation for long-term careers in applied insect science and related fields.

Graduation Outcomes: Graduates can pursue opportunities with government agencies such as the EPA, USDA, CDC, NASA, and FDA, as well as organizations in biotechnology, agriculture, agrochemicals, pest management, environmental services, and education. Some graduates also progress into research, university teaching, regulatory affairs, business ownership, and specialized entomology roles.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the B.S. in Insect Biology, students can continue their education through M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Entomology at Purdue. Graduate study can allow students to specialize in areas such as insect ecology, insect-plant interactions, biochemistry and physiology, genetics and genomics, integrated pest management, urban and industrial pest management, and medical entomology.

The degree can also provide a foundation for professional programs, including veterinary medicine, particularly for students interested in animal health, disease transmission, and the One Health approach.