SCI 91 — A Bug’s Life: The Biology of Our Tiny Neighbors
Quarter: Spring
Instructor(s): Kirsten Verster
Date(s): Apr 16—May 21
Class Recording Available: Yes
Class Meeting Day: Thursdays
Grade Restriction: NGR only; no credit/letter grade
Class Meeting Time: 6:00—7:30 pm (PT)
Tuition: $365
Refund Deadline: Apr 18
Unit(s): 0
Enrollment Limit: 45
Status: Open
Quarter: Spring
Day: Thursdays
Duration: 6 weeks
Time: 6:00—7:30 pm (PT)
Date(s): Apr 16—May 21
Unit(s): 0
Tuition: $365
Refund Deadline: Apr 18
Instructor(s): Kirsten Verster
Grade Restriction: NGR only; no credit/letter grade
Enrollment Limit: 45
Recording Available: Yes
Status: Open
From ants that engineer elaborate colonies to butterflies that color our landscapes, insects are among Earth’s most diverse and influential creatures—vital to ecosystems and capable of reshaping human life in unexpected ways. This course explores the biology and behavior that make insects extraordinary: their chemical defenses, intricate societies, and astonishing adaptability. We’ll ask provocative questions: Do insects feel pain—or even emotion? Why are they so resilient? How has human activity shaped their evolution? Along the way, we’ll explore insect taxonomy, physiology, and neurobiology, including recent research showing how flies respond to stress and social cues. Lectures, discussions, and case studies will bring insect behavior and ecology vividly to life. Citizen science projects—observing local insects, recording their activity, and identifying species—will connect theory to firsthand discovery, cultivating a deeper understanding and appreciation for the hidden, ingenious world of our smallest neighbors.
KIRSTEN VERSTER
COLLEGE Lecturer, Civic, Liberal, and Global Education, Stanford
Kirsten Verster has over a decade of experience working on projects covering a wide breadth of arthropod life, from spiders to butterflies. She received a PhD in integrative biology from UC Berkeley, studying the evolution of flies using techniques in genomics and molecular biology. She has contributed to over 10 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts and has taught biology classes and workshops to broad audiences, from Girl Scouts to retirees.
Textbooks for this course:
There are no required textbooks; however, some fee-based online readings may be assigned.