Vermont Cynic

Issue date: 2/21/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Catherine Nally Dr. Scott Costa gets cozy with a cockroach

UVM's Plant and Soil Sciences department has introduced a fresh and exciting new course. Entitled "A Bug's Life," the course has attracted two-legged insect enthusiasts from all backgrounds, gathering every week to explore the impacts of our six-legged friends.

The class explores the multiple ways in which bugs of all sorts touch the lives of humans, and through these fascinating bugs, the intertwined matrix of life is examined. Areas of study touched on in class range from the many bug products we enjoy (i.e. silk, honey), to public health issues, ethical concerns, religion, media and culture, and other topics.

According to the class's professor, Dr. Scott Costa, the goal of the class is "to show the way in which all life is interconnected, and the role that bugs play in that interconnectedness."

Dr. Costa points to every individual's innate interest in bugs as the source of the class's success and excitement. "I believe the term is formication- it's that feeling that you get that feels like ants crawling on your skin, like you're getting tickled."

Because of this sensation, most commonly associated with euphoric chills induced from a scary movie or a favorite song, people are naturally attracted to bugs because they too are able to induce this feeling.

The class is intended for non-science majors, and is formatted after its brethren being taught across the country. "Typically, this class is taught in a form that is called an informative narrative, in classes ranging from 150-200 students," explains Costa.

The informative narrative, a relatively- self explanatory format, allows students to become naturally engaged as the class crawls from one area to the next, while acquiring detailed factual knowledge along the way.

Professor Costa explains that one of the things he tries to accomplish through the class is to diminish his students' phobia of science. "People are afraid of science. Some of this is set up through grade school, as scientists are sort of `held up.' I try to break this down."

The class aims to create students who, at the end of the semester, are more informed on topics such as biodiversity, disease, the interdependence of life, and other important scientific topics.

One student offered his opinion of the class thus far, saying, "The professor is awesome. I took the class because it sounded interesting - the other day we dissected a cockroach."

Hannah B. Lincoln, a high school student taking the class, had a similarly enthusiastic opinion of the class: "The class is super-interesting. He does a good job of consolidating all of the interesting parts to make a good overview of the field."

The lecture schedule is infested with enjoyable activities and lecture topics, ranging from the bed bugs causing infections in New York hotels, insect-transmitted diseases, insects as food, insects in forensics, and other diverse topics.

This semester, the class will raise caterpillars and watch them transform into butterflies, and enjoy mealworm angel hair pasta at the end of the year's bug banquet, featuring the appetizer, cream of katydid soup.

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