The MS Entomology: Vector-Borne Disease Biology program will not be accepting future students to this program.
We partnered with the Department of Entomology at Cornell University between 2020 and 2026 to offer an interdisciplinary Master of Science program in vector-borne disease biology. This program fell within the Medical and Veterinary Entomology Concentration, and combined entomology and public health course work from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine.
Our goal for the MS in Entomology program in vector-borne disease biology was to provide a foundation from which graduates can immediately enter the workforce in vector surveillance, control, and related fields. Students experienced an innovative curriculum covering vector biology and ecology, public health competencies, and the most recent advances in vector control and vector-borne disease prevention.
During this two-year program, students interacted with leading medical entomologists, virologists, epidemiologists, field ecologists, and statistical modelers across multiple academic, state, and federal government and public health institutions in the Northeast. Students also gained hands-on experience in the field through coursework and a required 10-week summer internship with a regional partner
Graduates of this program were able to immediately enter the workforce in a wide range of roles, including biologists and control specialists for vector control districts and agencies; program coordinators and managers for public health agencies and programs; scientists working with agricultural and cooperative extension programs; and more.
Graduates of the program will demonstrate a high level of competency in the following skills and knowledge areas:
Graduates of the MS in Entomology Vector-Borne Disease Biology program are required to complete a mixture of instructional credits and master-level thesis research credits. Students are required to establish a committee, including Dr. Laura Harrington and one other faculty member.
A mandatory 10-week summer internship at a federal, state, or local health department or vector control agency is required. NEVBD will provide salary and housing support for summer internship students. Students can select from the following topical areas for their internship project:
Students will be expected to complete a written, publication-quality thesis based in part on their summer internship programs.
Students will take a final oral practical exam and a written exam. A passing grade of 75 is required to complete the MS in Entomology program.
This program includes 8 required core courses covering topics of entomology and vector biology (20 credit hours), and 5 required core courses covering public health topics and competencies (14 credit hours). Students must also dedicate at least 2 credit hours each semester to master-level thesis research.
This program is designed to be completed in two years. Please visit the Cornell Class Roster to learn more about the courses listed below.
Core Entomology and Vector Biology Courses
Total credits: 20
| Course | Semester | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENTOM 2120 + LAB Insect Biology | Fall | 4 |
| ENTOM 3030 Applied Statistics: Biological Experiments in Practice | Spring | 4 |
| ENTOM 4520 Introduction to Disease Vectors | Fall | 3 |
| ENTOM 4521 Introduction to Disease Vectors Lab | Fall | 1 |
| ENTOM 6520 Malaria Biology and Control | Spring - Odd Years | 2 |
| ENTOM 6530 Control of Disease Vectors | Spring - Even Years | 2 |
| ENTOM 6540 Vector Biology in Practice | Spring | 2 |
| ENTOM 7670 Professional Development in Entomology | Fall | 2 |
Core Public Health Courses
Total credits: 13
| Course | Semester | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VTPEH 6101 Public Health Foundations I | Fall | 2 |
| VTPEH 6102 Social Epidemiology Principles and Multilevel Influences on Health | Spring | 3 |
| VTPEH 6104 Epidemiology in Practice | Fall | 3 |
| VTPEH 6175 Introduction to GIS for Public Health | Fall | 3 |
| VTPEH 6184 Public Health Practice: Communication | Fall | 2 |
Research/Thesis Courses
| Course | Semester | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENTOM 8900 Master-level Thesis Research | Fall; Spring; Summer | Varies |
| IRB and IACUC training certification (online) | Fall; Spring | None |
Elective Courses
| ENTOM 6900 Seminar in Ecology & Evolution of Infectious Diseases | Fall; Spring | 1 |
| ENTOM/BIOEE 4940 Ecology & Evolution of Infectious Diseases | Spring | 4 |
| BIOMI 2500 Public Health Microbiology | Fall | 3 |
| BIOMI 4090 Principles of Virology | Fall | 3 |
| BIOMI 4310 Medical Parasitology | Fall | 2 |
| NTRES 6600 Research Data Management Seminar in the Environmental Sciences | Spring | 1 |
| NTRES 6700 Spatial Statistics | Spring | 3 |
| NTRES 4601/6601 Decision Making in Natural Resource Management | Spring | 3 |
| VTPEH 6103 Public Health Policy | Spring | 3 |
Students may choose additional electives if approved by their advisor and committee.
This program offered full support to admitted students, including a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) stipend for the academic and summer calendar, tuition, and health insurance coverage.
