The University of Sheffield

M.Sc Practical Entomology

Course description

This 12-month course will address the core skills underpinning any scientific study of insects. You’ll learn how to produce museum-quality levels of sample preparation, material and archiving and how to establish and maintain insect cultures to be able to apply your skills to your entomological interests. Topics that you’ll cover include Taxonomy and Archiving, Husbandry, and Anatomy and Imaging.

As part of your Individual Research Project, you’ll spend 3 months conducting independent research, putting your new skills into practice to address an insect-related research question. Some students will have the opportunity to work with specialists at the Natural History Museum.

You’ll also spend a week in a research station undertaking experiments on insect-pollinator systems to cement your learning.

After your degree
With hands-on experience of the specialist entomological techniques, you’ll be ready to pursue careers in insect-related research, policy and science communication, collecting and archiving insects, or working within seeds, food, crop, agri-tech, and pest control roles for commercial and government organizations. This course is also a great preparation for a Ph.D.