There was a good balance of research and teaching in the department. Based on the last report, several changes have occurred in the department. Whereas in the past the primary emphasis in student training was in research skills, current student training includes equal emphasis in research, teaching, and outreach. The importance of interpersonal and communication skills has been stressed. Current student training in the department requires that all Ph.
D students have active roles as teaching assistants.
Our teaching assistants now take on a more direct role in instruction in laboratory classes. They are more involved in actual teaching in undergraduate classes rather than being mere assistants providing labor in setting up laboratory classes. Another change is that in lieu of a language requirement, students are given a choice to become more proficient in an area of their interest. This could be in the form of taking several courses in any subject area outside of Entomology. This includes experimental design and statistics, computer science, or business and finance courses.