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NEW COURSE!
This brand new course has just been added to our Public Health program area. Sign up today and be one of the first to take it!
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Course Details
Course Name: Mosquito Biology, Ecology, and Habitat Recognition
Course Code: AE0611WA25
Virtual Course Opens: January 6, 2025 at 12:01 am EST
Virtual Course Closes: February 14, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST
Self-Paced Assignments: 2-3 hours each week for 6 weeks
Live Zoom Q & A Sessions with Instructors: 1 hour each week (choose 9:00 – 10:00 am or 6:00 – 7:00 pm on Thursdays)
In Person Field Trips: A total of five field trips in New Jersey will be scheduled after the virtual course concludes. Exact dates and times will be provided to registrants as they become available during the year. The field trips are not mandatory; transportation will be provided at no additional cost.
Location: Online course and optional field trips
Format: Flipped classroom *
*Listen to the asynchronous lectures at your own pace and join a mandatory weekly online session with the instructor to address any questions and enhance your learning.
Registration Fee: $975 per person
Mosquito Management Certificate Program Discount: $850 per person (must also register for Mosquito Surveillance and Control and Mosquito Identification: Focus on the Northeast US )
Registration closes: January 2, 2025
Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.
Course Overview
This class is part of the Professional Mosquito Management Certificate Program.
This comprehensive course is designed to provide participants with a deep understanding of the biology and ecology of mosquitoes, as well as the skills to identify and manage their habitats. Mosquitoes play a crucial role in public health, and understanding their biology and ecology is essential for effective mosquito control and disease prevention. The habitat recognition portion of the course will provide participants with hands-on experience in identifying and monitoring the primary types of mosquito habitats in the state of New Jersey. The dates for those modules and site visits will be determined based on-site availability and attendee schedules. This course provides a unique opportunity for participants to gain practical skills and knowledge essential for effective mosquito habitat management in New Jersey, combining scientific understanding with real-world applications.
Modules
Module 1: Introduction to Mosquitoes
Lesson 1: Overview; Importance in Public Health; Diversity of Mosquito Species
Lesson 2: Mosquito Life Cycle; Egg, Larva, Pupa, Adult; Factors Influencing Development
Module 2: Mosquito Biology
Lesson 3: Anatomy and Physiology of Mosquitoes; Structure of Larval an Adult Mosquitoes; Feeding Mechanisms
Lesson 4: Reproduction and Behavior; Mating Habits; Blood-Feeding Behavior
Module 3: Mosquito Ecology
Lesson 5: Natural vs. Artificial Habitats; Water Sources and Breeding Sites
Lesson 6: Environmental Factors Affecting Mosquito Populations; Temperature, Humidity, and Light; Impact of Urbanization
Module 4: Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Lesson 7: Diseases Transmitted by Mosquitoes; Malaria, Dengue, Zika, West Nile Virus, etc.; Global Distribution of Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Lesson 8: Mosquito-borne diseases in NJ: past, present, and future
Module 5: Mosquito Habitats across NJ
Lesson 9: Identifying Mosquito Habitats; Field Techniques for Habitat Identification; Use of Technology in Surveillance
Module 6: History and Organization of Mosquito Control in NJ
Lesson 10: The early days; Title 26; Emerging Issues in Mosquito Control; Climate Change and Mosquito-Borne Diseases; Technological Advances and Innovations
Field Trips
Field Trip 1: Snow Pool Mosquitoes – Sussex County, NJ (Early Spring)
Explore the unique habitats created by melting snow and identify mosquito larvae. Discuss the seasonal dynamics of snow pool mosquitoes and their relevance to mosquito management.
Field Trip 2: Urban Mosquitoes – Union County, NJ
Visit parks, abandoned lots, underground subway sites, associated crypts and green spaces. Use field tools to identify and collect mosquito larvae in urban environments. Discuss the challenges and opportunities for mosquito control in densely populated areas.
Field Trip 3: Salt Marsh Mosquitoes – Middlesex County, NJ
Conduct mosquito larval and pupal sampling in marsh areas. Discuss the unique ecological characteristics of salt marsh mosquitoes and potential management strategies.
Field Trip 4: Cedar Swamps – Location TBD
Identify and collect mosquito larvae that develop in these habitats Discuss the ecological importance of cedar swamps and effective mosquito control measures.
Field Trip 5: Rural, Agricultural Landscapes – Location TBD
Collect mosquito larvae from agricultural-related water sources. Discuss the balance between pest control and environmental conservation in agricultural areas.
Course Format
Each week, asynchronous course materials will be made available on Monday at 9:00 AM. These materials will include four to eight presentations, each lasting 10 to 15 minutes, followed by multiple-choice quizzes. Participants will review the presentations at their own pace and complete the quizzes.
Additionally, a one-hour synchronous instructor-led Zoom session will be held each week to discuss the material and address any questions or challenges. Two options for the live session will be offered: Thursday morning (9:00 – 10:00 am) or Thursday evening (6:00 – 7:00 pm). Participants must register for one of these sessions no later than 6:00 pm on Wednesday of each week.
At the end of the course, participants will be evaluated with a final exam during the Week 6 Thursday (cameras must remain on).
Who Should Attend?
Mosquito Biology, Ecology, and Habitat Recognition is recommended for professionals involved in mosquito research, identification, surveillance, and abatement, including:
- Biologists
- Entomologists
- Environmental Health Specialists
- Mosquito Control Commission Staff
- Mosquito Inspectors
- Mosquito Researchers
- Mosquito Technicians
- Pesticide Applicators/Operators
- Public Health Personnel
- Wetland Specialists
Required and Recommended TextbooksMeet Your Instructor
Dr. Dina Fonseca
Dr. Dina Fonseca is a tenured professor and the current chair of the department of Entomology at Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and a member of the graduate programs in Entomology, Ecology and Evolution, and Microbiology. She is also a member of the Rutgers Global Health Institute, the Rutgers Climate Institute, the Rutgers Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases, and the NJ One Health Steering Committee and the NE One Health Regional Consortium developing strategies to reach underserved communities with Public Health training and information. She works on the ecology and control of invasive mosquitoes and ticks and the parasite/pathogens they transmit and was a member of the 2022 National Tick-borne Diseases Working group sub-committee on Tick Ecology, Personal Protection and Control. In addition, she is Director of the Rutgers Center for Vector Biology, a program that provides accreditation, continuing education and broadly supports the extended NJ Mosquito Control community. She also works with residential communities to develop proactive strategies for urban vector surveillance and control, through Citizen science projects – Community AcTS (Action Through Science) and NJTicks4Science! aimed at empowering communities to organize and minimize the proliferation of invasive mosquitoes and limit exposure to ticks and disease agents.
Continuing Education Credits
The Mosquito Biology, Ecology, and Habitat Recognition course is approved for 3.6 Rutgers CEUs (36 contact hours) as well as the following credits from professional organizations.
New Jersey
NJ Health Officers and Registered Environmental Health Specialists (HO/REHS): Rutgers University, NJAES, Office of Continuing Professional Education has been approved by the New Jersey Department of Health as a provider of NJ Public Health Continuing Education Contact Hours (CEs). A total of 22.50 CEs will be awarded for attending all 6 days (11.25 CEs for attending three days).
NJ / CT Pesticide Applicators: Pending
Course Requirements and Policies
Technology Requirements
This online course will be delivered via Rutgers Canvas learning management system and Zoom.
Equipment you will need to access this training:
- Laptop or desktop computers are required for this class.
- A microphone is required.
Once you register with OCPE, you will receive an email from “Rutgers University Canvas” saying, “Click here to finish the registration process,” to create your new account in the Canvas Virtual Platform. If you do not see this message in your inbox, please check your junk/spam folder. The course shell will not open until a week before the start date of class. You will receive an email from Jill Sullivan with directions and more details for the class.
Email Requirement
A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.
- If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
- If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
- Your full name
- The shared email address that needs to be changed
- Your unique email address
- A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions
Photo ID Requirement
Each registrant will be asked provide a photo of him/herself holding their government-issued photo ID. This is required by credit boards so that you may receive credits for participating in this online course.
- You will receive a reminder email prior to the start of the class with further instructions. Wait to receive these instructions before you attempt to upload your ID.
- The photo must be clear enough that we can read your name and verify that the person pictured on the ID is in fact the person holding it.
- After an OCPE staff member reviews the picture and verifies your identity, you will have access to participate in the course when it begins.
Cancellations and Substitutions
A $100 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.
Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!
If you have any questions about Mosquito Biology, Ecology, and Habitat Recognition, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Program Coordinator: Pamela Springard-Mayer
848-932-7463
pspring@rutgers.edu
