Insects provide important ecosystem services and impact agricultural production systems and human health. Modern society and human activity have impacted insects and the environment in substantial ways. This course provides an up-close view of the lives of insects and explores interactions between insects, people, and the environment.
Athena Title
Insects and the Environment
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in ENTO 2010, BIOL 2010
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will understand and explain scientific knowledge of the causes and consequences of multiple components of environmental change.
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of core concepts in entomology, insect behavior, ecology, evolution, and conservation through end-of-module assessments.
Students will write summaries, raise questions, and engage in discussion of course material and insect-related media from the news and culture.
Students will express and support their ideas in essay form on the topic of consequences of human activities and environmental problems through the pivotal environmental impact book Silent Spring or similar literary works. Students will learn how to provide feedback on essays by participating in peer review, and will learn how to incorporate feedback through essay revision.
Students will use technology to contribute insect observations to a citizen biodiversity science project.
Topical Outline
1. Insect biology and diversity
a. Introduction to insect abundance, diversity, and ecosystem dominance
b. Insect classification and major groups
c. Insect behavior, sensory perception and communication
d. Insects as a model for evolutionary change
2. Social insects and plant-insect interactions
a. Insects as pollinators
b. Colony Collapse disorder
c. Herbivory and chemical defenses
d. Insects as nutrient cyclers and bioindicators
e. Human impacts on ecosystem services
3. Insect declines and conservation
a. Endangered and extinct insect species
b. Insect migration
c. Climate change
d. Habitat loss and urbanization
e. Non-target effects of pesticide use
f. Conservation of insect populations
g. Environmental monitoring
4. Insects as pests
a. Environmental impacts of pests
b. Insect management and pesticide use
c. Agriculture and insects
d. GMO technologies
e. Insect invasions and pest outbreaks
f. Insects as vectors of emerging diseases
g. Ethics and concerns with insect control
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Communication
The ability to effectively develop, express, and exchange ideas in written, oral, interpersonal, or visual form.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
Social Awareness & Responsibility
The capacity to understand the interdependence of people, communities, and self in a global society.
