Insects cause famine, infest livestock and transmit disease. Insects also infest our homes and damage our household goods. A major concern of the Department is to train competent scientists who are well versed in theoretical concepts and well trained in applied techniques. All aspects of basic and applied research dealing with insects, mites, spiders and their relatives are supported by the Department. Both basic and applied studies are built upon sound theoretical foundations.
Basic studies focus on the biology, behaviour, ecology, systematics and physiology of arthropods.
Applied studies focus on the pests of economic importance to agriculture, urban development and stored products. Entomology is a branch of Zoology, but the importance of Entomology extends throughout the biological sciences. For example, the study of insects has developed genetical theory and improved our understanding of evolution. Entomologists have made major contributions to the agricultural, ecological, evolutionary, medical and veterinary sciences, and many famous Australian entomologists were trained or have worked in this Department. We aim to provide students the opportunity to think independently and, supported by a knowledge of the most recent advances in the field, to use their intellect to make useful contributions to basic and applied biology.