DEGREE DESCRIPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Master of Science (M.S.)

The Master of Science degree in entomology is an intermediate or final degree leading toward development of special knowledge in some field of entomology, and includes research experience. It provides training for prospective doctoral candidates.

Committees for masters degree candidates should be formed during the first semester, and are suggested jointly by the student and advisor, with approval by the Department Head. Masters committees have a minimum of three members. One of these should be from another degree program, particularly if the student plans to minor in that area. Adjunct faculty members cannot constitute a majority of the committee. The student and committee shall meet early in the process to plan the student’s program and approve a thesis project.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 30 graduate credits (400 and 500 level) are required, with at least 20 credits earned in residence. At least 18 credits in the 500 and 600 series must be included in the program. A minimum of 12 credits in coursework (400 and 500) must be completed in the major program. All masters degree candidates are required to take (or have the equivalent of) the core courses. In addition to the core courses, masters degree requirements include a minimum of 3 credits of Statistics (i.e., STAT 501, 502, 541, or ENT 597G) and teaching experience (see section on Teaching Experience for details). To fulfill the credit requirements, additional courses may be selected by the student in consultation with his/her graduate committee. Each student must present the results of thesis research at a departmental seminar, and the student may register for 1 credit of ENT 590 (Colloquium) that semester. Insect collections due at the end of the second fall semester after admission. (Link to collection requirement information)

Final Oral Examination

A final oral examination covering the general field of entomology, with emphasis in the student’s area of specialization, is required by the department. This is to be administered by the student’s committee. A favorable committee vote of a two-thirds majority is necessary for passing.

Theses

A thesis equivalent to 6 credits (ENT 600) is required. A doctoral thesis may be submitted and archived either electronically or on paper. The thesis must meet the editorial standards of the Graduate School so that it constitutes a suitable archival document for inclusion in the University Libraries where it will be available for circulation. It is a departmental requirement that the student provide the Department Head a copy of the final bound thesis.

The Thesis Guide can be obtained from the Graduate School Office of Theses and Publications, 211 Kern Building, and is also available electronically. For more information on electronic theses and dissertations, visit www.etd.psu.edu.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy signifies high scholastic achievement and demonstrated capability to perform independent research. Five academic years of full time graduate work beyond the bachelor’s degree are normally required. Some of this work may be completed off-campus or on a part-time basis. However, between the time of acceptance as a candidate and completing the degree requirements, the student must spend two academic sessions in residence within a twelve-month period.

Students commencing a doctoral program may have a small provisional committee appointed as soon as the advisor is selected. The official doctoral committee is approved by the Department Head and is appointed by the Graduate Dean through the office of Graduate Enrollment Services after the student has passed the candidacy exam. Doctoral committees for students in the entomology program include at least three members from the department, at least one member from a related field, and a total of no fewer than four members; five members are recommended. If the student has a formal minor, a representative of the minor field must be on the committee. The student and committee should meet early in the degree process to plan the student’s Ph.D. program and approve a thesis project. It is possible for a student to change advisors, when appropriate, without prejudice. The doctoral committee guides and monitors the student’s progress, administers the comprehensive and final oral examinations, and evaluates the dissertation.

Degree Requirements: The doctoral program in entomology requires that each student have the core courses (or their equivalent). Other course requirements are dependent on the student’s program of study. The results of the dissertation research must be presented at a departmental seminar, and the student may register for 1 credit of ENT 590 (Colloquium) that semester. Insect collections due at the end of the second fall semester after admission. (Link to collection requirement information)

Doctoral Candidacy Examination (revised 7/3/2008)

Intent and Purpose: The doctoral candidacy exam is intended to provide faculty with information on a student’s general knowledge of biology and entomology, communication skills and ability to analyze and solve problems. These attributes are considered essential for a student pursuing a doctoral degree in entomology. The exam is also intended to evaluate the student’s potential to succeed in a doctoral program and provide the student’s graduate committee and academic adviser with baseline information to develop a strong graduate program. The Candidacy Examination Committee (CEC) is responsible for administering the exam and providing the student’s graduate committee with their assessment of the student’s performance and areas where the student needs to improve his/her skills. Although the exam can be used to identify students who do not have the general knowledge and communication skills necessary to succeed in a doctoral program, it is hoped that the exam will be primarily used as a diagnostic tool and that the admissions process will serve as the primary means of identifying major deficiencies in a student’s knowledge and communication skills. Students are expected to take the exam within three semesters (not including summer semester) of entering the doctoral program and will have taken, after three semesters, the core courses or their equivalent.

Each student should be fully prepared for the Candidacy Exam before first taking the exam.   It is in the best interest of both the faculty and students that each student be encouraged and aided to achieve a basic level of both knowledge and communication skills at this point in his/her education. This exam does not mark the end of learning and achieving in either area; it is assumed that the students will continue to strengthen and increase their knowledge and communication skills through their entire career.

The Graduate School requires that a student demonstrate a high level of English proficiency before taking the comprehensive exam. English proficiency is defined as reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The candidacy exam will serve to evaluate the student’s reading and writing communication skills. This is consistent with the Entomology department’s Ph.D. English Competency Implementation Plan required by the Graduate School.

Examination Content and Requirements: The doctoral candidacy exam will diagnose critical thinking skills, general knowledge of biology and entomology, and communication skills through a written and oral critical analysis of a journal article.  The purpose of the exam is both diagnostic and a measure of the student’s likelihood of successfully completing a doctoral program. A poor performance on the exam indicates that the student does not currently have the background to begin a doctoral program. The CEC may recommend that the student seek remedial training if the student is only weak in a few areas.

Criteria for choice of articles for critique:  The major advisor and student will select three research articles to submit to the CEC at least 3 weeks before the written exam.  The CEC will choose one paper from the three submitted for the exam. The articles should be: 1) full peer-reviewed primary scientific literature reporting results from research (review articles, commentaries, or opinion pieces are not acceptable), 2) from high quality journals, 3) contribute findings relevant to the student’s area of research.

The Candidacy Exam Committee and the major advisor will participate in the written and oral portions of the examination. The student will be allowed one week to complete the written journal critique. In their written critique, the student should briefly summarize the article and describe its general relationship to other work within the field, identify and evaluate the hypothesis(es) being tested, the appropriateness and  quality of the methodology including controls and statistical tests used, the soundness of the conclusions based on data presented and the overall scientific merit of the work, and present specific reasons for one’s views including alternative interpretations and recommendations for future experiments.  The student should cite relevant papers in the critique.  The oral portion of the exam should be scheduled to occur within one week of the completion of the written portion of the exam.

In the oral portion of the exam, the student should be prepared to discuss how the journal article relates broadly to the field of entomology and specifically to the student’s general area of work, and to defend the arguments presented in the critique.      In the oral exam, questions pertaining to general knowledge of any element of the paper may be asked, including but not restricted to, morphology and physiology; systematics, taxonomy and evolution; management, ecology and population dynamics of arthropods; and information management /knowledge engineering.  In this sense, the paper will serve as a “springboard” with which to judge the student’s general knowledge in biology and entomology. The student’s communication skills, including organization, conciseness, appropriate word choice, usage, spelling and grammar will be evaluated in the written and oral  exam.
 
In grading the exam, faculty will use the Candidacy Exam Grading Sheet.

An answer should be graded exceptional (4 pts) only if the student shows a depth and breadth of analytical skills in his/her evaluation of the peer-reviewed literature and cites important research and authors to support their position. An above-average grade (3 pts) should be given if the student shows above-average analytical skills. An average grade (2 pts) would indicate that the student has reasonable analytical skills in this area. A below-average grade (1 pt) indicates that the student does not have the depth and breadth of analytical skills expected of a doctoral candidate. A non-acceptable grade (0 pts) should be given only if the student has not demonstrated any analytical skills in this area. Faculty should grade the exam from the standpoint of their expectations for the knowledge and understanding of a beginning Ph.D. student.

Evaluation of Communication Skills: Good communication skills are essential to the future success of each student. At the time of the exam, the student’s adviser will need to verify that the student has good verbal, reading, and listening skills as demonstrated through class/research performance and oral presentations as a teaching assistant, in classes, at meetings, etc. Communication skills will be evaluated on the use of proper grammar, word usage and choice, sentence structure, spelling, and integration and organizational skills. If all these attributes are demonstrated, the student will receive a grade of exceptional (4 pts). An above-average grade (3 pts) indicates that the student has good organization, sentence structure, and proper grammar but that their skills lack in proper word usage, choice, and spelling. An average grade (2 pts) indicates that the student is generally organized but occasionally does the following: uses improper grammar, uses words improperly, chooses words poorly, and/or misspells words. A below-average grade (1 pt) indicates that the student’s writing is weakly organized and frequently uses improper grammar, poor word choice, and/or misspelled words. A non-acceptable grade (0 pts) will be given if the student demonstrates no organizational ability and all traits of the below-average grade recipient. In the case of an oral exam, the same general guidelines will be used in grading.

A mean score of one or below indicates that the student has very poor communication skills and has failed the exam. If the student passed the written portion of the exam and needs to retest in the communication portion, the student will be allowed to select a topic of his/her choice (from five to six general topics) on which to write an essay. This exam will be administered within three weeks after the Candidacy Exam and will be from two to three hours in length.  The CEC will evaluate this essay. If the essay still indicates a lack of English proficiency and writing skills, the student will be dismissed from the graduate program.

A mean score between one and twowill be given a provisional pass. This score indicates that the student needs to improve his/her communication skills before taking the comprehensive exam. Before the comprehensive exam is administered, the adviser and members of the student’s committee will be required to provide written documentation that the student has achieved a high level of English competency and writing skills.

Mean score of two or above on both portions of the candidacy exam indicates that the student has good to excellent general knowledge and communication skills. A non-provisional pass will be given to the student and the student officially is admitted for doctoral candidacy.

Overall Evaluation of the Candidacy Exam: Exams will be graded on a five point scale, where a score of four = exceptional; three = above average; two = average; one = below average; and a score of zero = not acceptable. Satisfactory grades are required for both the oral and written communication portions to pass the candidacy exam.

An average score of two on the exam indicates that the student should review the material. A score of one indicates that the student must seek remedial training in the area deemed deficient. A score of zero indicates that the student’s performance is not acceptable. Evaluation of General Knowledge: To successfully pass the general knowledge portion of the exam the student should demonstrate “satisfactory” knowledge in the areas of Insect Physiology/Morphology; Systematics /Taxonomy /Evolution; and Ecology/Population Dynamics.  The CEC will determine remedial action necessary if a grade of “unsatisfactory” is earned in any of the general knowledge categories.

In an effort to help students correct any deficiencies, a student who fails the exam or any portion will meet with his/her advisor immediately after the results of the exam are known. The student and advisor will identify remedial action to be taken based on recommendations from the CEC (i.e., taking a course or studying new areas, retaking the all or part of the exam). Remedial action must be taken within one year, and be documented by a letter addressed to the Department Head and the CEC.   

If it is decided that the exam must be retaken, and after the second exam the student has not passed the exam, the student will have the opportunity to request a third exam. A third examination, however, will only be approved if the CEC, the Graduate Program Council (GPC), and major adviser (a combined committee) feel the student has potential and the exam has not been a fair test of the student’s abilities. If approved, the combined committee can require a written or oral examination and the exam will be given within two weeks of the previous exam. A student is admitted to doctoral candidacy only after he/she has successfully passed the doctoral candidacy exam.

If after taking the exam for a third time, the student does poorly as indicated by an average score less than two points (or approval for taking the exam a third time is not approved), the CEC will recommend that the student be dismissed from graduate study until the student demonstrates an acceptable level of competence. It is important at this point that the student be counseled in other career opportunities that better match the student’s interests and background.

After grading the exams, the CEC will provide memos to the student, advisor, and Department Head. The CEC will act as an arbitrator if questions are raised. The memos will detail the results of the exam, recommendations for areas that need improvement, and any areas that need to be re-examined by the advisor and graduate committee prior to the comprehensive exam. The student will also be allowed to see the exam and all evaluations and is encouraged to ask faculty for clarification and great detail on the evaluations. This is an opportunity for the student to recognize areas of weakness and strengthen those areas.

In the rare instance that a student is not properly prepared for this exam and has not successfully passed both the written and oral portions after retaking the candidacy exam, that student will be dismissed from the doctoral program. We encourage this student with the aid of his/her advisor and other faculty to evaluate his/her career plans and options; the future professional satisfaction of each student is the goal. After leaving the doctoral program, the option exists for the student to correct deficiencies in either knowledge or communication skills and apply for readmission into the doctoral program. That student will be expected to take the candidacy exam as soon as possible after readmission to demonstrate his/her abilities and to be admitted into doctoral candidacy.

Expectations for Faculty: In order for the examination to accomplish its intended goal of testing a student’s critical thinking, general background in biology and entomology, and communication skills, all faculty are expected to participate in the examination process by providing journal articles for the exam and serving on a student’s exam if there is a deficiency of specific expertise area on the committee to adequately assess the student’s knowledge.  The semester that a student is taking the candidacy exam, his/her academic advisor will provide three journal articles in his/her area of expertise from which CEC may select. The student’s academic advisor and the CEC will grade the written and oral journal article critique. It is also expected that a student’s academic advisor and graduate committee will provide guidance on how to prepare for the exam; they and the student both have responsibility to ensure that the student is prepared for the exam. Faculty members who are not on a student’s committee should provide reading material and/or advice to students who request assistance.

The graduate committee and academic adviser will need to provide supporting documentation to the CEC on a student’s academic and research performance for students who performed below acceptable levels. In cases where a student’s graduate status is in danger, the student’s committee and academic adviser will need to provide their judgment of the student’s chances of success and any extenuating circumstances that may have led to a poor performance by the student. The CEC’s role is to administer the exam, provide a written summary of the student’s performance to the academic adviser, graduate committee, and Department Head, and document any deficiencies in communication skills that should be met before the comprehensive exam is administered. Identified deficiencies must be satisfactorily addressed by the student before taking the comprehensive exam.

Expectations for Students: It is the responsibility of each student to prepare for the exam. Students should know approximately when they are required to take the exam. Students should review their notes from the core courses, basic biology, evolution, and ecology courses and read additional information in the subject area of the paper critique.   If your critical analysis or writing skills are weak, ask for writing assignments from your adviser or willing faculty and have them rigorously assess and edit your answers and discuss the weaknesses in your analysis and writing. Free tutoring in helping you find and analyze your writing problems also can be obtained from The Graduate Writing Center. In addition, talk to faculty members about specific knowledge that they feel is important. A properly prepared student will be more relaxed in the exam and perform better.  Do not take the exam lightly. Failure of the exam in either the critique or communication-skills portion can lead to dismissal from a doctoral program. However, it is not the goal of the department to fail students but to make sure that students have the knowledge and skills necessary to complete successfully a Ph.D. program. Although failing the candidacy exam may seem like the end of the world, it is a desirable alternative to the stress that can occur when a student is unprepared for the demands of a doctoral program and the competition of acquiring employment after graduate school.                          

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