COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESOUCES Navigation

Administration

General Information

Advising

Undergraduate Programs

Graduate Programs

Instructional and Research Facilities

Student Organizations

Honors and Awards

Family and Consumer Sciences

Apparel Product Design & Merchandising Program

Family Resources Program

Human Nutrition, Food, and Animal Sciences

Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering

Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Plant and Environmental Biotechnology Program

Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences

Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences

Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences

Gilmore 310
3050 Maile Way
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-6737
Fax: (808) 956-2428
E-mail: peps@ctahr.hawaii.edu
Web: www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/peps/

Faculty

*Graduate Faculty

*J. K. Grace, PhD (Chair)—urban entomology, termite and social insect biology and control, insect behavior
*A. M. Alvarez, PhD—bacterial diseases
*W. B. Borth—plant virology, micoplasmas
*B. M. Brennan, PhD—pesticide regulation and use
*A. Bressan, PhD— insect vectors of plant pathogens
*J. J. Cho, PhD—diseases of vegetable crops, integrated pest management (Maui Agricultural Research Center)
*Y. Cho, PhD—plant host pathogen interactions, molecular genetics of pathogens
R. H. Ebesu, MS—extension education (Kaua‘i Cooperative Extension Service)
*S. A. Ferreira, PhD—crop protection, extension education
R. T. Hamasaki, MS—fruit and vegetable crops extension education (Hawai‘i Cooperative Extension Service)
*A. H. Hara, PhD—horticultural entomology, post-harvest insect control, regulatory entomology (Beaumont Agricultural Research Center, Hilo)
*C. R. R. Hooks—sustainable aquaculture, ecological pest management, biological control
*J. Hu, PhD—virology
*M. Kawate, PhD—pesticide registration
*R. F. L. Mau, PhD—agricultural entomology, entomology extension education, insect biology
E. F. Mersino, MS—ornamental crops extension education (O‘ahu Cooperative Extension Service)
*R. H. Messing, PhD—insect ecology and biological control (Kaua‘i Agricultural Research Center)
*S. C. Nelson, PhD—epidemiology, extension education
*W. T. Nishijima, PhD—tropical fruits and nuts, forest and tree diseases, ornamental extension education (Beaumont Agricultural Research Center, Hilo)
*J. J. Ooka, PhD—diseases of coconuts, ‘awa, corn, soybeans, sunflowers, taro, ginger, medicinals, spices; disease suppressive composts (Kaua‘i Agricultural Research Center)
*D. Rubinoff, PhD—insect systematics and ecology, invasive species, conservation biology
D. M. Sato, MS—extension education (Hawai‘i Cooperative Extension Service)
*D. Sether, PhD—plant virology
K. T. Sewake, MS—extension education (Hawai‘i Cooperative Extension Service)
R. Shimabuku, MS—vegetable crops production and disease management extension education (Maui Cooperative Extension Service)
*B. S. Sipes, PhD—nematology, alternative control methods
J. S. Sugano, MS—extensions education (O‘ahu Cooperative Extension Service)
*J. Y. Uchida, PhD—fungal pathology, biological control of diseases, environmental impacts
*K. H. Wang—nematology
*M. G. Wright, PhD—integrated pest management, tropical fruits and nuts, insect ecology, biological control
*J. R. Yates III, PhD—urban pest management, termite biology and control

Cooperating Graduate Faculty

*L. Arita-Tsutsumi, PhD—insect behavior, honeybee ecology (UH Hilo)
*D. Borthakur, PhD—molecular biology
K. Y. Kaneshiro, PhD—systematics, evolution, insect behavior
*M. Shintaku, PhD—virology (UH Hilo)

Affiliate Graduate Faculty

*J. W. Armstrong, PhD—commodity quarantine treatments, fruit fly control (USDA-ARS, Hilo)
*C. K. Atkinson, PhD—wildlife disease (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
*N. Evenhuis, PhD—systematics of Diptera (Bishop Museum)
*P. A. Follett, PhD—commodity quarantine treatments, tropical tree fruit IPM (USDA-ARS, Hilo)
*N. Gillette, PhD—forest pest management, chemical ecology (USDA Forest Service)
*D. Gonsalves, PhD—plant virology (USDA-ARS, Hilo)
*E. J. Harris, PhD—ecology and control of fruit flies (USDA-ARS)
*F. G. Howarth, PhD—systematics (Bishop Museum)
*E. B. Jang, PhD—insect physiology, fruit fly control (USDA-ARS, Hilo)
*L. Keith, PhD—plant bacteriology (USDA-ARS, Hilo)
*D. O. McInnis, PhD—insect genetics (USDA-ARS)
*N. J. Reimer, PhD—ant biology and control, biological control of weeds (Bishop Museum)
*S. Schenck, PhD—plant pathology (HARC)
*R. I. Vargas, PhD—ecology, mass-rearing techniques (USDA-ARS, Hilo)

Degrees Offered: BS in plant and environmental protection sciences, MS in entomology, MS in tropical plant pathology, PhD in entomology, PhD in tropical plant pathology

The Academic Program

Agriculture, urban and natural environments are severely affected by invasive plants and animals, arthropods, and disease causing organisms. Management of these pests and pathogens is essential to preserve the economic and ecological future of Hawai‘i and the Pacific Basin. Societal concerns about protecting our natural resources and the environment have resulted in a plant and resource protection focus stressing biological control, integrated pest management, and genetically based methods. Hawai‘i’s location in the Pacific basin provides students with an ideal setting for tropical and environmental studies. The unique island ecosystem also encompass many cropping niches from humid tropical environments to arid temperate conditions. In addition, the multitude of agricultural and landscape plants produced provides a natural laboratory to study a diversity of urban and agricultural inputs. The multicultural aspect of the human population further adds to the intriguing plant, human, and pest interactions that are a part of the PEPS academic and research program. Students are presented with great educational opportunities to understand plant and environmental protection and pest management. Students will be prepared for employment in agricultural and urban pest management, science education, government, industry, and environmental resource management. Undergraduate students will be well prepared for professional and graduate studies.

Affiliations

Studies in Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences (PEPS) at UH Manoa are strengthened by cooperative relationships with the following units: multidisciplinary graduate programs of the Cell, Molecular, and Neurosciences; Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology Program; Harold L. Lyons Arboretum; Hawai‘i Agriculture Research Center; B. P. Bishop Museum; Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture; Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture.

Advising

Students are assigned an academic advisor upon acceptance into the PEPS program. Undergraduates are required to consult with their advisor prior to registration each semester.

Undergraduate Study

BS Degree

PEPS is a multidisciplinary science degree that promotes the understanding of complex agricultural and urban problems created in the global ecosystem. Students receive interdisciplinary exposure to entomology, plant pathology, weed science, and environmental science and can focus on one of these areas in their upper division studies. This holistic program is developed so each student has the opportunity to learn pest management, crop protection, biotechnological approaches, environmental regulations, toxicology, and rural and urban sociology as these relate to their focus areas.

Requirements (128 credit hours)

PEPS offers a flexible and individualized degree program that allows students to select among several different options to fulfill university core requirements. In accord with their own particular interests and in consultation with their advisor, students also choose from a variety of departmental courses and general electives. PEPS 499 (Independent Research) is a unique requirement that provides students with the opportunity to work individually with faculty members throughout their program.

Specific requirements are:

• ENG 100
• HIST 151, 152
• SP 151
• CHEM 151/151L; or 171/171L; or 161/161L, 162/162L
• CHEM 152/152L; or 272/272L, 273/273L
• BIOL 171/171L, 172/172L; or 123; or 124/124L
• TPSS 200
• NREM 310
• PEPS: 363, 405 and 495; 1 course numbered from 200 to 399; 6 credits of 499; and 15 credit hours of courses numbered from 400 to 499.
• 29 additional credit hours of approved electives based upon students’ academic interests.
• Additional credit hours as necessary to meet UH Manoa general education requirements.
• Hawaiian/Second Language Requirement: Undergraduate students in PEPS, in consultation with their undergraduate advisor, will be asked to select one of the following three options:
  Option 1: Show proficiency in a Hawaiian/Second Language at the 202 level;
  Option 2: Show proficiency in a Hawaiian/Second Language at the 102 level, and take one additional 3-credit semester course in the Social Sciences and one additional 3 or 4-credit semester course in Natural Sciences;
  Option 3: Take two additional 3-credit semester courses in Social Sciences and two additional 3 or 4-credit semester courses in Natural Sciences. One of the courses in the Natural Sciences must include a laboratory.

The Social Science and Natural Science courses chosen can be any 100 or 200 level course offered at UH Manoa in those areas.

Prospective majors should consult with the department to design an appropriate curriculum tailored to their interests.

Graduate Study

Entomology

MS and PhD degrees are offered in the entomology program. Courses are offered in acarology, biological control of insect and weed pests, biotechnology and insect genetics, insect ecology, insect physiology, insecticide toxicology, insect transmission of plant pathogens, medical and veterinary entomology, pest management, systematics, urban entomology, and tropical pest management. Thesis and dissertation research can be selected from any of these subject areas.

Students applying for graduate programs in entomology are expected to have acquired a bachelor’s degree with credit hours in entomology and biology, including general biology, general entomology, integrated pest management; one year of chemistry; and an appropriate course in mathematics and/or statistics. Deficiencies in undergraduate preparation can be satisfied during the graduate program. Applications for admission must include GRE scores.

The MS and PhD degrees in entomology are recognized by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) regional graduate programs. Residents of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming are eligible, upon admission, to enroll at Hawai‘i-resident tuition rates.

Master’s Degree

The MS degree program is offered under either Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis). A total of 30 credit hours are required for each degree option. An advisory committee composed of at least three members of the graduate faculty provides guidance to the student. For a general description of these options, see “Requirements” for each option.

The program provides an education in general knowledge of entomology, including basic principles of insect identification, biology, and control and prepares the student for employment in private industry, government agencies, and research institutions.

MS Plan A (Thesis)

• 16 credit hours of course work including seminars.
• 2 credit hours of PEPS 690 Seminar in Entomology
• 12 credit hours of PEPS 700 Thesis Research
• 2 credit hours of PEPS 799 Proposal/Defense Seminar (CR/NC).
• Final oral defense and submission of acceptable thesis.

MS Plan B (Non-thesis)

Students preparing for a career in research or admission to a doctoral program are advised to enroll in MS Plan A (thesis).

• 23 credit hours of course work including seminars.
• 2 credit hours of PEPS 690 Seminar in Entomology
• 1 credit hour of PEPS 799 Proposal/Defense Seminar (CR/NC) during the semester in which a proposal for the directed research project is given.
• Final defense of the directed research project and examination on other aspects of entomological training before the advisory committee.

Doctoral Degree

Intended candidates for the PhD program should have earned the MS degree in entomology or equivalent from a recognized institution. Those with a BS or BA may petition for admittance into the PhD program only after enrolling in the MS program.

The goal of the PhD program is to have students possess broad general knowledge in all areas of entomology, in-depth knowledge in at least one area of specialization and develop the capability for independent research. Employment options for PhD graduates are in teaching, research, and extension at universities and in research, consulting or management with private industries and government agencies.

Requirements

• 3 credit hours of PEPS 690 Seminar in Entomology
• 2 credit hours of PEPS 799 Proposal/Defense Seminar (CR/NC).
• 1 credit hour of PEPS 800 Dissertation Research during semester of graduation.
• Additional course work as determined by the doctoral advisory committee.
• Oral, or oral and written comprehensive examination administered by the doctoral committee.
• Final oral defense of the dissertation research and submission of an acceptable dissertation.

Tropical Plant Pathology

Plant pathology is the study of plant diseases, their causes, and the interactions with the environment. The primary thrust in the program focuses on agricultural crops of economic importance; however, opportunities exist for discovery research in natural ecosystems and the laboratory. The field consists of several sub-disciplines including phytomycology, plant virology, bacteriology, nematology, epidemiology, crop protection, and molecular biology of host-pathogen interactions.

Students should have their undergraduate preparation in botany, horticulture, agronomy, microbiology, or plant and environmental protection sciences. Plant pathology has its foundation in biology and agriculture and offers wide opportunities in both basic and applied areas of biology, plant sciences, and agriculture. The tropical plant pathology program at UH Manoa offers students a unique opportunity to gain knowledge of plant diseases on a vast diversity of tropical crops and native plants as well as the impacts of plant protection practices on the environment.

Applications for admission must include GRE scores for verbal and quantitative aptitude. Candidates may need to demonstrate evidence of adequate preparation in other subject areas as well. Deficiencies may be corrected during the graduate program.

Master’s Degree

The MS degree program is offered under either Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis). A total of 30 credit hours are required for each degree option. An advisory committee composed of at least three members of the graduate faculty provides guidance to the student. For a general description of these options, see “Requirements” for each option.

The MS degree in tropical plant pathology provides a basic education and understanding of the pathogen groupings. Employment opportunities exist in industry, government agencies, research institutions, consulting, and farm management.

MS Plan A (Thesis)

• Research: 12 credits in PEPS 700 Thesis Research, and submission of acceptable thesis.
• Courses: 16 credits in courses approved by the candidate’s committee, including 10 credits in courses numbered 600-698, excluding PEPS 660 and 699, including at least 6 credits selected from PEPS 616, 630, 646.
• Seminars: Minimum of 2 credits in PEPS 660, which is required each semester except when enrolled in PEPS 799; 2 credits in PEPS 799 (CR/NC). CR/NC credits are not counted towards degree credit requirements.

MS Plan B (Non-thesis)

• Research: 6-9 credits in PEPS 699 Directed Research, preferably taken in 2-3 different laboratories.
• Courses: 19-22 credits in courses approved by the candidate’s committee, including 16 credits in courses numbered 600-698, excluding PEPS 660 and 699, including at least 6 credits selected from PEPS 616, 630, 646.
• Seminars: Minimum of 2 credits in PEPS 660, which is required each semester except when enrolled in PEPS 799; 1 credit in PEPS 799 (CR/NC). CR/NC credits are not counted towards degree credit requirements.

Doctoral Degree

Intended candidates for the PhD program should have earned the MS degree in plant pathology or equivalent from a recognized institution. Those with a BS or BA may petition for admittance into the PhD program only after enrolling in the MS program.

Employment options for PhD graduates are in teaching, research, and extension at universities and in research, consulting or management with private industries and government agencies.

Requirements

• No minimum course requirement. A candidate’s committee develops a course plan together with the student.
• 1 credit hour of PEPS 660 each semester, except when enrolled in PEPS 799.
• 2 credit hours of PEPS 799 Proposal/Defense Seminar (CR/NC).
• Comprehensive and final defense examinations.
• 1 credit hour of PEPS 800 Dissertation Research during semester of graduation.
• Submission of acceptable dissertation.

PEPS Courses