Entomology Curriculum Australia (ECA)

The ECA, on offer from Semester 1, 2010, is a series of undergraduate entomology subjects accessable to any person interested the study of entomology. The online remotely delivered subjects provide relevant, real world entomology education with the aim of preparing students for the entomological needs of Australia. The development of the ECA has been funded by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC).

ECA subjects can be taken as a part of a Bachelor Degree or independently. They are weighted at one quarter of a semester's full-time workload. The subjects available in 2010 are:

(1) Insect Structure, Function and Physiology (BIOL 3238) - Semester 1, 2010 The University of Queensland
Insect Physiology explores the aspects of insect structure and function that are responsible for the success and biodiversity of insects. It emphasizes topics that are relevant to the importance of insects as pests and beneficial organisms and their roles as experimental model organisms. Many advances in our general knowledge of muscles, nerves, hormones, metabolism, sensory communication, development, and genetics have been spearheaded by research on insects. The individual topics cover the structure and function of the different organ systems, the physiology of the main systems and their importance to the global impact of insects. Examples of feature topics are covered in the course notes. The subject is a companion to 3rd level subjects that cover insect phylogenetics and evolution, applied entomology, the impacts of insects on human and animal health, insect ecology and integrated pest management. The subject is intended for remote delivery and includes a recorded introduction to each topic, backed up by DVD-based and web-based material.

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Cross-Institutional Enrolment Information (for a non UQ student to apply to enrol in a UQ subject)

Non-award enrolment form

(2) Invertebrate Pests (PSC 201) - Semester 2, 2010 Charles Sturt University

Students will explore the properties of pests, pest biology, pest identification, monitoring and thresholds, socio-economic impacts of pests, pest management history, pest control and biosecurity, biological control, pesticides, host plant resistance, cultural control and Integrated Pest Management. Assessment comprises an online Portfolio, a resource that will allow students to demonstrate their pest management skills to prospective employers.

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Cross-Institutional Enrolment Information (for a non CSU student to apply to enrol in a CSU subject)

(3) Insect - Plant Interactions (ZOOL 328) - Semester 2, 2010, The University of New England
Students will explore the ecology of insects and their close relationships with plants by investigating herbivory, pollination, predation, parasitism and competition. This subject includes a compulsory 4 day residential component.

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Cross-Insititutional enrolment information (for non UNE students to apply to enrol in a UNE subject)

Non-award enrolment information

(4) Insect Identification and Taxonomy (BIOL 3232)- Summer Semester 2010 The University of Queensland

This course addresses the identification and classification of insects, the most species-rich component of terrestrial ecosystems. The course will cover the recognition of insect orders and the identification of specimens to family level using different types of keys and resources. Other topics to be explored include: biological characteristics of the major insect orders and selected pest and beneficial species, sociality, insect communication, feeding mechanisms, parasitism (including vertebrate ectoparasites), insects as disease vectors of plants and animals, defensive adaptations and mimicry.

The practical component will cover collecting techniques, identification of adult insects to family level, identification of immature stages and feeding damage. The course requires the submission of a well-curated insect collection and attendance at a compulsory 5-day residential course.

This subject will be alternated each year between The University of Queensland and The University of Adelaide. The first offering at The University of Adelaide will be Summer Semester 2011.

More Information

Cross-Institutional Enrolment Information (for a non UQ student to apply to enrol in a UQ subject)

Non-award enrolment form

On Campus Accommodation Options for 5 day Residential Component

How to enrol in ECA subjects

1) If you are already enrolled as a student at institution that is offering the subject you are interested in, you can enrol as per normal like you would with any other subject.

2) If you want to enrol in a subject that is not offered by your home institution, you will need to enrol via cross-institutional enrollment:

• Present the information about the subject(s) to the Faculty Office/Head of Program at your own institution and request permission to have your enrollment in ECA subjects count towards your degree.
• Complete the forms/process required to enable your institution to recognise your cross-institutional enrolment.
• Contact the institution(s) offering the ECA subject(s) you are interested in, tell them about your intention to take the ECA subject via cross-institutional enrollment and enrol as per their requirements.

3)  Non-Award Enrolment.  ECA subjects are available for professional development purposes in industry, for teachers or government. The ECA subjects can be taken without the need to be formally enrolled in an award program.

• Contact the institution(s) offering the ECA subject(s) you are interested in, tell them about your intention to take the ECA subject as a non-award student and enrol as per their requirements.

Additional Entomology subjects throughout Australia (alphabetically by institution)

Central Queensland University
ZOOL19004 Insect Biology

Charles Sturt University
PSC371 Pest and Disease Management

James Cook University
ZL5501 Tropical Entomology

La Trobe University
AGR3PPD Plant Pests and Diseases

The Australian National University
BIOL3115 Entomology

The University of Adelaide
ENV BIOL 3011 Evolution and Diversity of Insects
PLANT SC 3131WT Integrated Pest Management

The University of New England
ZOOL220 Entomology

The University of Queensland
BIOL2205 Insect Science                                     
ENTM3001Identification and Diversity of Insects   
ENTM3003 Insect Morphology   
BIOL3009 Arthropods and Human Health

The University of Sydney
BIOL2017 Entomology
AFNR5305 Integrated Pest Management
AFNR5306 Insect Taxonomy and Systematics
BIOL2917 Entomology (Advanced)
ENTO2001 Agricultural Entomology
ENTO4003 Integrated Pest Management
ENTO 4004 Insect Taxonomy and Systematics

The University of Tasmania
KLA254 Insect Diversity and Function
KLA314 Insect Ecology and Behaviour
KLA329 Crop Health Management

The University of Western Australia                                            
FNSC8561Forensic Entomology
ANIM3316 Entomology
SCIE3351  Integrated Pest Management- Tactics and Strategy

The University of Western Sydney

300334 Invertebrate Biology

300643 Plant Protection

Research Opportunities/ Scholarships

Industry PhD Scholarship – Grape and Wine Research 
Dr Kevin Powell, Dr Simone Rochfort  - Biosciences Research (Department of Primary Industries)/La Trobe University
“Protecting vines in stress environments - early detection of phylloxera infestation & grapevine stress using chemical biomarkers.” More Information.