Students are assigned to one of two departmental graduate advisors. The advisor, in consultation with the student and the student's guidance committee, helps select and approve course study lists. Normally, these courses will be taken during the first year. Not necessary if previously taken. The Department of Entomology offers a thesis plan, for which a minimum of 36 quarter units of graduate and upper division undergraduate courses is required.
Students select a major professor during the first quarter.
Interacting closely, they begin to discuss an appropriate research problem. After completion of the research program, the thesis is defended during an oral examination administered by the student's guidance committee. Students select a major professor appropriate to the major field of study within entomology during the first quarter. By the end of the third quarter, two minor fields of specialization are selected. An informal Guidance Committee is selected by the student and major professor, subject to approval by ISAC and the Department Chair.