MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENTOMOLOGY

Study Duration
Minimum 2 semesters (full time) / 4 semesters (part time)
Maximum 4 semesters (full time) / 8 semesters (part time) 
*all lectures during weekdays and office hours (including part time)

Intake
2 times a year (March & October)
*subjected to UKM academic calendar

Structure for Full Time

Structure for Part Time

STPD6024 Research Methodology
This course provides guidance in planning, implementing and succeed in scientific research. Students are introduced to the philosophy of science and ethics necessary to be adopted by researchers. Students are given exposure to determine and manage risks in scientific research. Apart from that, issues and rules related to research such as intellectual property, copyright, plagiarism etc. will be discussed.  Subsequently, students are guided to plan their research and prepare a research proposal. For this, students are trained with techniques in information search both manually and on-line, identifying issues and research objectives, planning research and experimental design within their period of study. Students are required to prepare their research proposal according to the format and free from plagiarism. Students are given the opportunity to present and defend their proposal in a seminar. Students will be evaluated based on written and oral presentation of the research proposal, and final examination

STAB6614 Insect Systematics
The course will first discuss the introduction of systematics, its historical development and systematic activities including the systematics of Malaysian insects. Students will be exposed to ways on how to increase their knowledge on taxonomy by studying the principles and concepts of systematics which involve grouping, classification and naming according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). They will also be exposed to aspects of evolution, ecology, ethology, biogeography and other related aspects. To really understand the systematic activities, three major aspects will also be emphasized, namely the morphological characters, reproductive and molecule (DNA). An introduction and application of computer software such as PAUP will be taught especially in erecting a phylogenetic tree of a given insect group. Students will be requested to write taxonomic manuscripts and erect a phylogenetic tree of their own selected insect group or taxa, which in turn will be their term paper for this course.

STAB6624 Insect Ecology
This course will discuss the habit and role of insects from an ecological perspective. The discussion on the ecological aspects that cover insect growth, development, survival, reproduction, role of host, abiotic and biotic factors, adaptation, genetic variation, life support system and distribution pattern in nature and for application perspective will be heavily emphasized. The concept of insects in ecosystem, diversity and tropic structure, role as decomposer, pollinator, vector and the dynamic and regulator of insect pest population will also be discussed. The diversity and conservation aspects with examples of highly valuable insects ecologically, economically, medicinal and aesthetic as well as those of protected species will also be discussed.

STAB6673 Molecular Entomology
Molecular entomology will give the opportunity to students to keep abreast with current trend of using molecular biology tools to comprehend better understanding about insects. Students will be exposed to techniques of how to manipulate insect for disease control both on human and crops as well to improve integrated insect pest management programme. As such, this course will initially introduce students with a basic knowledge of molecular biology of insects and other eucaryotic organisms followed by how to apply the molecular technologies and biotechnologies to entomological topics including molecular genetic of insect behavior, systematics and evolution, transfection of plant with insecticidal genes, transgenic insect, improving virulence of biological control and molecular mechanism of pesticides resistant. Analysis of molecular processes unique to insects, and their potentials for genetic engineering will also be taught. This course will exclusively be taught by lectures and discussions. Students will also have the opportunity to visit a molecular biology laboratory to exchange views with other molecular biology students and they use molecular biology tools in their work.

STAB6644 Insect Pest Management
This course will discuss the principles of Integrated Insect Pest Management (IPM). The important components that ensure the success of IPM, such as basic biology, ecology, insect behavior, biotic and abiotic factors, types of damage, economic threshold levels, monitoring, sampling, strategies and techniques of pest control that are environmental friendly using biological control agents (predators, parasitoids, pathogens and microbial insecticides) will be discussed. Students will also be introduced to the concept of on-line and modeling development for ‘Integrated Pest Management Program’ (IPM), and how best to implement (including on aspects of agricultural law) and evaluate socially, politically and environmentally acceptable in a borderless economic era. The law of pesticide development, usage and selling and aspect of insect quarantine will also be discussed. Additionally, students will be introduced to contributions of biotechnology methods and techniques to the progress and success of IPM. At the end of the course students are required to develop an IPM for the current three species of major insect pests of their selected crops.

STAB6664 Medical and Urban Entomology
This course will discuss the introduction and classification of insect of medical importance (human, domestic and husbandry animals), structural insect pests as well as those infesting food, stored products and other materials. Students will also be exposed to biological, ecological and behavioral aspects of medical and urban insect pests, and the latest control approaches (integrated management) especially using methods and strategies that are environmental friendly, easy to be used, cheap and socially acceptable. In addition, legal aspects and the impact of each control method to the economy and politics will also be discussed. The discussion will focus more on mosquitoes, flies (including Drosphila melanagaster), cockroaches, termite, fleas, bedbug, tick and mites. Visit to centres or research institutes related to this course will be conducted to give opportunity to students to relate what is taught in classes with what has been or being done to insects of medical, urban or structural, stored product importance. At the end of the course students are required to prepare a term paper with the topic of their choice related to insects that have been discussed in this course.

STAB6674 Insect Anatomy and Physiology
This course discusses on anatomy and various physiological processes occurring within insects for them to carry out daily activities for purposes of survival and reproduction. The anatomy and basic physiological processes discussed include endocrine system and insect growth, reproductive system, embryogenesis, digestive system and nutrition, excretory system and ion balance, circulatory system and immune mechanism, respiration as well as muscle system and insect flight. In addition, nervous and sensory systems, insect perception, sound and light production as well as pheromone in insect communication are also discussed. Through case study, lab and readings on the latest research publications in insect physiology, students will be able to understand the functions of a broad physiological system in relation to morphological, anatomical, and biochemical changes in insects that brought about their natural behaviour which are essential for practical application at the macro as well as molecular levels.

STAB6034 Population and Community Ecology
Population and community are the two most important components in ecology. Population ecology is the study of populations of animals and plants and their interactions in the natural environment. A population is a group of interbreeding organisms, while community ecology is the study of any assemblage of populations in a natural environment. In this course, populations are analysed in terms of variability, density, and stability, and other environments and processes that can assess these characteristics. Among the determinants of a population are the birth and death rate; age and sex distribution; patterns of competitive and cooperative behavior; predator-prey, host-parasite, and other relationships with different species; food resources and the environment; and migration patterns. Communities were analysed based on traditional characteristics; diversity, dominance, growth form and structure, trophic structure, and relative abundance; and are described as a distinct system of life with its own development and function. In the analysis and evaluation of a population and community, mathematical models and indices that incorporate relevant determinants and variables are used to predict changes in determinants that may affect a community and population. These population and community assessments are conducted through field case studies of several groups of fauna (such as birds and mammals) and their natural habitats.

STAB6063 Curatorial Science
This course will discuss the science of curation which includes theory, practice and understanding of the role of natural history collections in biological conservation. The course also emphasizes the importance of natural history collections as a reference for education and research. Students will be trained on methods of sampling, preparation, identification and curation of animal and plant specimens at the flora and fauna repository facilities at UKM, namely the Insect Systematics Centre, Herbarium Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Bangi and the Natural History Museum Faculty of Science and Technology. Students will digitise specimens for data management in line with the latest curation method as part of the course assessment. Students will also have the opportunity to visit one of the national specimen repositories.

STAB6094 Ecological Data Analysis
Ecological data is defined as a set of measurements collected by scientists which includes an analytical and conceptual framework. Ecological data systems usually consist of many types of data. This course provides the main numerical methods for data analysis in ecological studies. This course is divided into four parts. The first and second parts involve biodiversity assessment and the Bayesian approach to ecological studies and wildlife management. The third and fourth parts are big data analysis using R software and multivariate analysis, which is the analysis of interactions between biotic and abiotic data in ecological studies. R software is the most robust and widely used programming language for statistical analysis, visualization and big data science. This component consists of the introduction and role of big data in ecological studies and metadata quality control. In addition, students will be exposed to a variety of experimental designs and statistical methods to answer various ecological questions, and critically evaluate the results obtained from ecological studies.

STAL6064 Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing
This course will introduce the concepts and application of remote sensing and GIS. The course covers the characteristics of remote sensing sensors, image acquisition and data collection in the electromagnetic spectrum and spatial data analysis. The course is designed to comprehensively understand remote sensing and GIS application in solving research problems applied to various earth resources disciplines. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to use remote sensing and GIS for environmental assessment and monitoring.

STAP6974 Research Project I
This course aims to train students to conduct research in the field of biological sciences under supervision. Research is conducted through literature review and individual research. Students are required to prepare a preliminary research report with a chosen topic accompanied by a problem statement, hypothesis, significance or justification of the study, literature review and methods.

STAP6986 Research Project II
This course aims to train students to do research in the field of biological sciences under the guidance of a supervisor. Research is conducted empirically and analytically. Students are required to prepare a final research report covering introduction, literature review, materials and methods, results, discussion and conclusion. Student is also requried to give an oral presentation on the research findings.

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field with minimum CGPA 2.50 or equivalent, from any institutions of higher learning  recognized by the UKM Senate; or
• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field with minimum CGPA 2.00 – 2.49 or equivalent, with minimum of 5 years working experience or research project in relevant field. Proof of the working experience of a foreign candidate should be acknowledge by the embassy of the respective country; or
• Fulfill Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL A) for local candidates only:
  • should be more than 30 years of age in the year of application; and
  • possess at least STPM or diploma in relevant field or other equivalent qualification recognized by the Government of Malaysia and approved by the UKM Senate; and
  • possess a certificate of MQA APEL with MQF Level 7
• An international student shall obtain minimum results of either
  • TOEFL iBT score 46 or
  • IELTS band 5.5 or
  • PTE score 51 or
  • CEFR band B2 or
  • MUET band 4 or
  • Higher Education English Test (HEET) score 7 or
  • An international student who comes from a country where English is the official language, or who has obtained academic qualifications from any institution of higher learning that uses English as the medium of instruction may be exempted from the requirement for HEET / TOEFL / IELTS)

• Medical or Public Health Entomologists
• Forensic Entomologists
• Research Entomologists
• Agricultur al Entomologists