ENT-30806 Fundamental and Applied Aspects of the Biology of Insects

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Individual Paper2
Lectures2
Self-study
Course coordinator(s)prof. dr. M Dicke
Lecturer(s)prof. dr. M Dicke
dr. PW de Jong
prof. dr. ir. JJA van Loon
prof. dr. ir. W Takken
prof. dr. ir. MF Wallis de Vries
dr. EH Poelman
dr. HM Smid
Examiner(s)prof. dr. M Dicke

Language of instruction:

English

Contents:

This course deals with fundamental as well as applied aspects of insects and focuses on major themes in modern insect biology. Each student can choose his/her own trajectory so as to develop essential knowledge on (1) biological phenomena for which insects are good model systems or on (2) novel methods to apply fundamental knowledge to the management of insects in natural or agricultural environments, in temperate zones or in the tropics. Major aspects cover (a) chemical and molecular ecology, (b) behavioral and population ecology and (c) functional biodiversity and agroecology and their application in crop protection, protection of human health, vector control and functional biodiversity. Each student chooses 2 topics that will be developed into 2 essays under the supervision of the staff of the Laboratory of Entomology.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course the student is expected to be able to:
- describe an overview of what the major topics are in insect biology;
- select a limited number of relevant scientific papers that cover two timely topics in the biology of insects;
- identify and evaluate scientific information on state-of-the art topics in insect biology;
- develop a logical outline for a scientific essay that includes an integrative discussion of a selection of the scientific literature;
- present scientific information on current topics in the biology of insects in a comprehensible way into a written text, demonstrating that the information has been integrated and synthesized;
- explain biological details of two state-of-the-art topics in insect biology.

Examination:

The course will be graded, based on the reports that will be developed on the two topics chosen.

Literature:

A flyer with information is available. All relevant material will be available on the course's website.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Restricted Optional for: MPSPlant SciencesMScE: Plant Pathology and Entomology1AF, 2AF, 3WD, 4WD, 5AF, 6WD
MPBPlant BiotechnologyMScC: Molecular Plant Breeding and Pathology1AF, 2AF, 3WD, 4WD, 5AF, 6WD
MPBPlant BiotechnologyMScB: Plants for Human and Animal Health1AF, 2AF, 3WD, 4WD, 5AF, 6WD