North Dakota State University is offering Integrated Management of Pests as a distance education course early next year.

It is an advanced undergraduate and graduate level course that will focus on how the environment, society and pest biology influence pest management of insects, pathogens, weeds and vertebrates. The course is not designed to teach management tactics, says instructor Gary Brewer, chair of the Entomology Department.

The 3-credit course will run from Feb. 6 to May 5.

The course is computer based, which means it will be delivered online or via a CD. Students will be able to participate in the class anywhere they have access to a computer and an Internet connection. They will need a computer with:

* CD drive
* Internet access and an e-mail account
* Web browser
* Adobe Acrobat Reader
* RealOne Player

Exams and other assessments will have set due dates. Students will be responsible for covering the course material on their own time.

Students should have completed coursework successfully in the following NDSU courses: General Biology II (Biol 151), General Entomology (Ent 350), Introductory Plant Pathology (PPth 324) and Principles of Weed Science (PlSc 323), or their equivalent. Brewer suggests students also should have had an introductory ecology class.

The credits from Integrated Management of Pests are the same as from traditional classroom courses - the credit will apply toward a university degree and are transferable. People who don't take the course for college credit will be able to receive continuing education credit.

For more information, contact Brewer at (701) 231-7908 or gary.brewer@ndsu.edu.