ENTM 2043\2044 - Insects: An Introduction to Entomology

3 Semester Hours
Dr. J. Wayne Brewer
Professor, Department of Entomology
Auburn University

Delivery Systems:

"Insects" is a 3-semester-hour course designed to introduce non-science students to the field of entomology. Consequently, it is a beginning course in a specialized area of biology. No previous academic experience is assumed other than that of a junior high school science course. However, the course will be easier if you have had high school biology and/or chemistry.

The material presented in the course covers many of the basic principles of biology. We try to use insects as examples of how one group of organisms has solved the basic problems of survival. These problems include, for example, respiration, circulation, excretion, and reproduction, as well as others. We often compare those solutions to the way that humans have solved the same problems. We feel that this approach makes the material more interesting and at the same time, students often find that they learn new information about how their own body works.

The course does not include specific laboratory exercises. However, a major advantage of studying insects is that we are surrounded by them in our yards, gardens and even in our homes. If you look about you as you proceed through the various lessons, you will find that examples of the material presented are everywhere.

Dr. Brewer is available to answer questions or assist students with problems associated with the course. The best way to reach him is by E-mail, but his telephone numbers and address is also listed below.

Telephone: (334) 844-2935 (leave a message if necessary)   (334) 844-5006 (Main Departmental Office)

Electronic Mail: brewejw@auburn.edu

Address:
Dr. J. Wayne Brewer
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
301 Funchess Hall
Auburn University, Alabama 36849

Textbook: Evans, Howard E., Insect Biology - A Textbook of Entomology. Addison-Wesley: Reading, Massachusetts, 1984. 436 pp. Available from Amazon.com (used) or the Auburn University Bookstore (photocopy).

Course Material: Available on the course website in Blackboard.

To avoid confusion during the course it is best to define some of the terms used.

Text or Textbook: These terms refer to the book entitled Insect Biology, A Textbook of Entomology by Howard E. Evans. The text will be your major source of information about the course. Each lesson will have a reading assignment from the textbook.

Lessons: This course consists of 14 lessons. Each lesson consists of a reading assignment in the textbook, a set of lesson objectives, a short "lecture" on the assigned subject, written exercises to be submitted for grading, and a set of practice test questions.

There are 14 lessons with a required quiz at the end of each lesson. After the 7th lesson there is a proctored midterm and at the end of the 14th lesson there is a proctored final examination. You are expected to read the assigned textbook readings, do the interactive lessons, and take quizzes for each lesson in the course website on Blackboard. The midterm and final examinations are taken under the supervision of an approved proctor (if you are off campus) or at the Distance Learning Facility. More information about the proctor approval process is given in the Examination Process section in this document.

Students approach independent study courses in a variety of ways and probably no one approach works best for everyone. I suggest that you begin by reading through the entire lesson with emphasis on the lesson objectives. Then read the textbook assignment and the lecture material carefully. Reading through the lesson material will "sensitize" you to the important points and will help you to retain that material more readily. You may find it useful to make notes on the lecture material, or about the textbook assignment, in the margins of this course book. We believe that making note helps in the retention process.

As with many other science courses, Insects contains a lot of new vocabulary. It is necessary that you learn the meaning of these new words before you can understand the material being presented or answer the questions in the lessons. Many students find that flash cards are very useful in learning these new terms. You will find a glossary at the end of your textbook that provides short definitions of most of the technical terms used in the book and the lecture material.

Independent study courses require special discipline. To be successful you must be organized and consistent in your study habits. We suggest that you schedule definite times to work on the course and adhere to that schedule. We recommend that you complete a lesson per week.

Both the mid-term and final exams consist of five sections. Note that questions in the various sections have differing point values.

Your final course grade will be based on the written exercises that you submit for each lesson, your mid-term and final exam grades. The written exercises are worth one-third of your grade. The mid-term and final exam also constitute one-third each. As indicated earlier, both of these tests must be taken under supervision and you will not be allowed to use notes or text material. You cannot pass the course without achieving a passing grade on both of the proctored examinations. The grading scale for the course will be as follows: A=90% and above, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, and F=59% and below.

Section I: Entomology Overview

Lesson 1: Why study Insects?

Section II: Insect Life

Lesson 2: Insect Structures

Lesson 3: Insect Diversity

Lesson 4: Insect Life Support Systems

Lesson 5: Insect Development and Reproduction

Lesson 6: Insect Senses

Lesson 7: Insect Behavior

Section III: Insect-Plant Relationships

Lesson 8: Phytophagous Insects

Lesson 9: Plant Defenses Against Insect Attack

Lesson 10: Insect Pollination of Plants

Section IV: Insect-Animal Relationships

Lesson 11: Zoophagous Insects

Lesson 12: Blood Feeders, Parasites and Scavengers

Section V: Insect Ecology and Management

Lesson 13: Dispersal and Migration of Insects

Lesson 14: Tactics of Integrated Pest Management

Auburn University is committed to providing accommodations and services to students with documented disabilities. Any learner with a qualified disability which requires accommodations should contact The Program for Students with Disabilities, 1244 Haley Center, Auburn University, AL 36849, 334-844-2096 PH, 334-844-2099 FAX. More information is available on their website at www.auburn.edu/disability. The office will fax or mail the required forms to learners to apply for services. Learners who have questions to participate in this course should contact the above office in advance to ensure proper accommodations.  

Dr. Brewer received his graduate degree from Purdue University in 1968. From 1968 until 1984 he worked in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at Colorado State University as a professor. In 1984 he moved to Montana State University as Head of Entomology. He became Head of the Department of Entomology at Auburn University in 1987, a position he held until 1995.

Dr. Brewer's research is centered around the relationship between insects and plants. He is particularly interested in gall midges and the abnormal plant growths they cause. He and his graduate students have published numerous scientific articles in the refereed literature. Dr. Brewer has also contributed a number of chapters to books on insect plant relationships, and other subjects, edited by other authors.

Dr. Brewer was selected as a National Academy of Science Visiting Scientist on three occasions. He has worked in Prague, The Czech Republic, with the researchers of the Czech Academy of Science, and at the Laboratoire de Cecidologie, Universite Louis Pasteur, in Strasbourg, France. He has received teaching awards from Montana State University and Auburn University. In 1998 he was selected for inclusion in "Who is Who Among Americais Teachers."