North Carolina State University. Department of Entomology

Entomology was first taught as a course in the Department of Horticulture, Arboriculture, and Botany during the first years of the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (later, North Carolina State University). Entomologic study grew with the creation of the Department of Zoology and Entomology and the naming of the new head, Zeno P. Metcalf, in 1912. Administratively, however, Entomology was not considered a separate department, but was still considered a part of a larger course of agricultural study. In 1950, the Division of Biological Sciences was created, and a number of departmental faculties were established and placed administratively within it, including Entomology. Courses in Entomology were listed for the first time as a separate subject, although it was not yet a full-fledged department. This occurred only after the Division was dissolved in 1955, and each faculty became a separate department.

The illustrations in the North Carolina State University Entomology Drawings Collection, depicting thousands of species of insects and their taxonomy, were created or collected by the NCSU Entomology Department from 1967 to 1990. James R. Baker (1941- ) was curator of the collection during his career as researcher and professor of entomology at the university from 1972 to 2000.

The North Carolina State University Department of Entomology used these films for instruction related to pest control. These films are from the National Audiovisual Center, General Services Administration in Washington, D.C.

Entomology was first taught as a course in the Department of Horticulture, Arboriculture, and Botany during the first years of North Carolina State College. Like most other agricultural courses taught at that time, classwork and research were often conducted jointly with the state Agricultural Experiment Station. Not until 1903 was Entomology listed as a separate subject in the College catalog, with classes taught as a part of the four-year course in Agriculture.

Entomologic study grew with the creation of the Department of Zoology and Entomology and the naming of the new head, Zeno P. Metcalf, in 1912. Administratively, however, Entomology was not considered a separate department but was still considered a part of a larger course of Agricultural study. Despite this, Entomology was still able to grant its first master's degree in 1924, to Theodore Mitchell. From 1925, entomology courses were listed under the Department of Zoology, the appellation "Entomology" having been dropped.

In 1950, the Division of Biological Sciences was created, and a number of departmental faculties were established and placed administratively within it, including Entomology. Courses in Entomology were listed for the first time as a separate subject, although it was not yet a full-fledged department. This occurred only after the Division was dissolved in 1955, and each faculty became a separate department. Since that time, the department has continued to thrive and grow in both its teaching and research roles. Today, the department engages in a wide range of research projects, often involving other campus academic units. In addition, the department carries on the University's vital role in extension work, providing faculty to educate and assist farmers, researchers, professionals, and the public on a variety of entomological topics.

Additional information and resources on the history of the Department of Entomology can be found through the NCSU Historical State website .