2.6
Quality4.4
Difficulty38%
Would Retake88
Reviews38%
Would Retake
88
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
13
4
12
3
14
2
21
1
28
What Students Say
“I took him for 103 and 104 and he's pretty nice”
BIO103 - 3.0 rating“His lectures were extremely boring and highly confusing”
BIOL1030 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
21%
Textbook Required
8%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.12 avg changeRatings by Course
BIO103
3.3
(3)BIOL1030
2.7
(55)BIO1040
2.5
(8)BIO1030
2.2
(19)BIOL1040
1.3
(3)Difficulty by Course
BIO103
4.7
BIOL1040
4.7
BIO1040
4.6
BIO1030
4.6
BIOL1030
4.2
Reviews (88)
Took him for Biology 103 and 104. Honestly? Don't do this to yourself. He gives so much information that studying for tests is ridiculous. Hung up on every little fact. You have to start studying AT LEAST a week in advance. Yeah, he gives huge curves on each test and a little extra credit but if you want a life, take someone else.
I took him for 103 and 104 and he's pretty nice. There are 4 tests and some extra credit that can really help your final grade. There is a lot of studying required to do well on a test. Attendance isn't required and all the notes are online. If you are after an A you're going to have to work and devote extra time to this class.
DO NOT TAKE HIM! You literally have to know the book and his powerpoints word for word to make good on his tests! He does give a really big curve and extra credit, but if at all possible take someone else! All he does in class is read off the powerpoint so if you have to take him you don't need to go to class.
His lectures were extremely boring and highly confusing! His exams are impossible. I struggled severely in his class and it took a toll on me.
He teaches from the powerpoints and tests you on every little thing he says. The actual material isn't that difficult to figure out but if you don't the very last detail then you're screwed. He is such a great guy and an absolutely adorable man, he just teaches to you like he expects you to know what he's talking about.
So the class is hard, but what Biology isn't hard at clemson? I took him in summer and he was the nicest man. His lectures got a little boring, but he adds jokes and has a good since of humor. I didnt have to work extremely hard for a B because he had around a 20 poo t curve. His tests are hard, but his curve makes it easy if you work hard.
The exams are very difficult. He gives big curves but it isn't worth the stress of trying to understand and know all the material. He's a really nice guy but unless you know every detail of his lectures, you're probably going to have a hard time in this class.
Very hard class, but amazing professor. Don't take this class if you are a slacker.
He seems like a nice guy but is a terrible professor. He never meets with students out of class and the exams always have a 50% average. It is not worth the stress. Take someone else!!!!!
Prof. Sparace gets a bad rep, but this class is not meant to be easy. Go to class, because though attendance is not necessary "mandatory," he gives questions that might be on the exam. Using the online resources, textbook, and extra credit will help you get above a C in the class. Get ready to study like you never have before.
People do so bad on his tests, he creates a different grading scale. Averages for his exams are rarely above 60. Do not take.
This class is hard!! This specific course in general is a hard course, but sparace does not help in any way. He is a nice man and it seems like he was trying but the tests were impossible and the grading system was confusing. I would 10/10 recommend to take this course with a different professor.
THis course was taken over the summer. I do not recommend it. He is a very hard professor. he is very detailed on the exams. He does offer a 2% extra credit. He also gives quizzes to help out with your grade. But he is very detailed and you should do all practice exams, all quizzes and all end of the chapter questions to succeed. The exams are A-E
Sparace means well but his class is super super hard. He Makes good powerpoints but reads off of them the entire time in lecture. He doesn't specify whats relevant for exams so you basically need to study literally everything. Nice guy but rough class.
His class was the hardest class I've ever taken so far in my college career and that's saying something because I took organic chemistry, anatomy, and genetics which were all easier than this class. He made it much more difficult than it had to be and this is proved by his grading method (curving each test by letter grades).
Sparace is a very nice man, but not a very good teacher. The lectures are very heavy, and the tests are super detailed and ver in depth. If you have to get the Biology credit, take Espinoza. The only good thing is he curves the tests because barely anyone passes.
Super hard class but manageable if you read the textbook and know everything on his powerpoints (the tests are so specific) but he posts old exams for you to practice with and will put a bunch of the old questions on the exams. The tests were so hard but his curve is legit crazy, if you got anything above a 74 it was an A in the class.
The only thing man cares about is his soybeans. Like actually. He relates everything in biology to his soybeans. It showed up on a test. Also if you don't know everything he's ever said, that's in the book, or is whispered in the wind then good luck passing. But on the bright side literally everyone fails so anything above a 75 is an A.
Nicest man ever, but not cut out to teach an entry-level biology class. I'm an english major--needed a science with a lab credit. This class was impossible and only lowered my gpa. He's super smart and passionate, but all he does is read off the powerpoints in class. His tests are basically the only grades and they're insane. Meeting with him helps
This class is the worst class I have ever taken. He is a nice guy, but is so monotone that lectures are almost unbearable. If you can, try to take literally any other professor. My class average is a 58 but because of the curve its a C. The only perk of this class is the curve, but it still does not help much. I taught myself everything.
While his tests are difficult, I recommend him over any of the other BIO teachers. I put in minimal work/effort as I just read each chapter at my own pace and reviewed my notes the day of the test but the curve allows you to succeed. In my class, an average grade of 75+ was considered an A and he tries to curve it in a way to best help students.
The lectures were excellent and helped me learn (full slides posted online). However, I strongly recommend reading the book -- those who didn't struggled. I guarantee you'll do well if you read, take online quizzes seriously, and attend regularly. Don't be scared by low test averages -- he curves final grades: 74 to get an A (varies), 40 to pass!
He is a very kind man who is definitely willing to help you outside of class, but is not a very good lecturer. It's hard to pay attention and comprehend the topics. You have to read and take really good notes from the textbook if you want to do well. He posts practice exams from the past to help you prepare for the test which are super helpful.
Class is pleasant, but boring. Tests are difficult if you only study what he says in class. Best way to prepare for the tests is by reworking ALL the online quizzes, DSMs, and practice tests he posts until they are second nature. He reuses questions a lot from them on tests. If you do all that, plus the curve, you'll be fine. I rarely used textbook
Our class was not learning the curriculum with the other bio 2 classes. Tests are extremely specific and nit-picky. Do not take unless you are willing to study & memorize every bit of material needed for these tests. There is extra credit though, and he grades on a bell curve. This saved many people's grades. Bottom line: you will be studying a lot
He's a great guy and has a slight sense of humor, but as a professor he turns this introductory GenEd biology class into an in-depth and pretty complicated course, and should not this difficult. Exam grades are expected to be low, but he curves the grading scale (varies). (this year 100-77 is an A, 76.9-65 is B, 64.9-47 is C, and 46.9-40 is D)
Honestly, one of the worst professors and I don't know how he is still teaching. He is so confusing and boring during lectures and makes the material harder than it needs to be. studied for 16 hours for a test and made a 40. He does curve your grade however the curve only helps so much.
DO NOT TAKE SPARACE WHATEVER YOU DO!!! I'm not sure how he is still teaching to be honest. His tests are crazy hard if you don't study every single small subject within the chapters and his lectures are boring so they're hard to sit through. Although he curves the grade, it still does not do much to help unless you're just trying to pass.
He is so adorable and so educated on all things biology. But he makes the material very hard to understand. There is no good way to prepare for his exams. Class averages are normally SUPER low and he does a weird bell curve. Best way to pass this class is to meet with him during his office hours and ask VERY SPECIFIC questions about the exam.
He speaks slowly and adds minute details in his lectures that he expects you to remember. We rewatched lectures, textbook, Powerpoints, notes, Quizlet, MyLab practices, yet the avg was around 50. PREVIOUS EXAMS HAVE REUSED ?s. Good curve, 77+ A, 65+ B, 47+ C. He talks a lot about his soybean research, sweet man but can't teach.
Prof. Sparace is a kind soul however his class is the hardest class I have ever taken. For online he doesn't require attendance, and he uploads lecture videos on Canvas but they are extremely long. His class is extremely difficult for a non-major class. He had a very large curve but it is not worth it. If possible take someone else!
He really is a nice man by all means, but he knows he makes his tests obnoxiously hard. He will give you a curved grading scale, but in the end, you will still most likely get between a 45 and a 70. He can never pick if he takes tests questions from mastering biology or from his past exams. SO BEWARE OF HIS TESTS because they are 80% of your grade.
This professor is very knowledgeable and I would definitely take the class again. It was tough and you have to study, but he does everything he can to make sure you pass. His curves are crazy good and help you out a TON!!! There is also extra credit that helps you study. Again, it's not easy but I would definitely recommend him.
Sparace was a great teacher! He gets a bad rap because his tests are difficult. But if you take the practice exams he posts and do the quizzes then you will be fine. I really enjoyed him.
If you use the practice tests, do well on quizzes, watch lectures, and do the extra credit you will do good in the class. While Sparace is a little out there and can be hard to explain he is very thorough and sets you up for success. Also there's a huge curve (a 77+ was an A)
Biol1030 is really difficult for most people, but having retaken the class I can say the professor really makes a difference and Dr. Sparace is the best you can get. He does not try to make the material or tests any harder than absolutely necessary, gives you plenty of extra credit, and goes off of a giant curve (77%+ was an A in my class).
He was one of my favorite teachers. If you stay on top of your work, his class is easy. He posts the lectures so you can do them whenever you have time, and he posts earlier exams that have a lot of the same questions that are on the exam. He also changes the grading scale on a bell curve. For my class, 77-100% was an A. I'm taking him for Bio 2
Sparace is a notoriously challenging professor, but I learned a lot from this class and enjoyed the way it was taught. Sam's an extremely nice guy and clearly loves what he does. I recommend reading the book chapters before lectures and you'll do well. Tests are challenging but the whole grade is highly curved. If you love biology, take Sparace.
sweet dude, just bad teacher. lecture does not match up with the test. if you can, take another prof.
He's a cool dude, but his lectures are unbearably monotonous. I never went to lectures because he teaches off of the ppts and he gives them to you ahead of time. There is a huge curve (75+ is an A for us), but the tests are pretty hard. I didn't use the textbook, but definitely do the extra credit best of ch stuff, it helps for studying too!
Professor Sparace gets a bad rap, but hes really not that bad. The class and the exams are tough, but he tries to help you get a good grade. He strongly curves exams so you might get Cs and Ds on exams but end up with an A or B in the class.
I honestly would not recommend Prof. Sparace to anyone. I took AP Bio in high school and did extremely well, and was strongly encouraged to retake bio for my major. I assumed it was going to be a walk in the park, but I failed every test and his questions are NOTHING like the PowerPoints. I wouldn't have passed if it weren't for extra credit. AVOID
dude sucks straight up. havent passed an exam
LEGITIMATELY the worst professor on campus. The time spent covering material that is actually on the exam is minimal, and most of the information he crams down your throat is not entirely relevant. Tests are nearly impossible to score well on unless you dedicate a majority of your time studying for them. He also struggles with technology.
He gives you all the tools you need to be successful in his class, you just need to buckle down and use them. Read the textbook chapter before class, pay attention to the things he says in lecture, do the extra credit, do the extra practice, come to review sessions, and review learning catalytics. Very very sweet man and he melts my heart.
DO NOT TAKE HIM!! Whatever you do just do not take this professor it will destroy your GPA. While there is a great curve, it is hard to get pretty much anything above a C or a B with the curve itself. The lectures are boring and complete nonsense. None of the information is even on the test itself, and if it is, it is completely 10x harder.
I really enjoyed taking him this semester. His powerpoint lectures were great for learners who prefer notes. I admire his personability with the class and clear effort to make the material understandable. He posts previous exams for practice, and this without a doubt made a difference for me in this class!!! He's definitely one of my favorites!!
He has a curve so that anything above a 75 is an A, but most people don't even end up getting that. Being in class does little to nothing and by the end of the semester almost no one goes to class. It's a difficult class and this class is the reason I won't get a 4.0 this semester. I worked extremely hard and even went to tutoring.
BIOL 1030 is a hard class flat out. Go into the semester prepared to study 2-3 weeks before the exams (seriously the only way I passed). The Best of Chapter homework/ quiz questions are reused on the exams so really study those!! He also curves really well for this class (a 75+ was an A, 64-74.9 was a B), but don't rely on this to save you.
Definitely a hard class and you really need to work if you want to do well. Lectures are basically pointless, you're better off just reading the book. Do all the best of chapters because you'll need the grade boost. Pretty big curve and if you do the practice exams he posts on Canvas it's very manageable to get a 75%+ on exam which is an A.
Super nice, but very hard. The curve helps a lot but the content is overwhelming.
Prof. Sparace is one of the best professor/ teachers I've ever had. He is extremely passionate and cares a lot about student success. Tests are difficult but he posts videos lectures for every powerpoint; which I used to study. Also, he gives extra credit and previous exams are similar to current. 10/10 wish I had him for every science class.
Professor Sparace is amazing. He's notoriously difficult but much better than what I've heard about other bio professors. A 75+ was an A, which helps a ton. Anyone who says he's a horrible teacher didn't pay attention, study or try to contact him outside of class. Final is not cumulative, gives extra credit and is all around a really nice guy.
I'm glad he curves because if it were not for the curve, I would have to retake Bio 1030. Show up to class and take notes. Tests are complex (they are no joke). Please DO NOT wait until the last minute to prepare for his test. Study at least a week or two before the exam.
Lectures are the most confusing thing ever just go through the power points and read the book based off what he covers in the pp. Do the extra credit and do not wait to study. USE THE PRACTICE EXAMS.
Challenging tests with a lot of content, but a huge curve with lots of extra credit. As long as you put some effort in and study, you will do just fine. A 75 is an A and a lot of the questions are recycled from previous exams. He is definitely your best bet for a Gen Bio class at Clemson.
He is a really nice guy, and I don't know if I just didn't work with his teaching style, but I had a really hard time in this course. I worked my butt off for a B. He does offer review periods, and a big curve, but there was no feeling of success in this course. tests are extremely hard and there were so many people in the class it was scary to ask
Sparace gets a bad rep because his tests are pretty detailed and he isn't a good lecturer. However, all the tools to succeed are there. He is available for extra help with weekly study sessions, he recycles questions from uploaded practice exams and quizzes, and curve where 75+ was an A. It's a lot of studying, but if you work you will do well.
Exams very difficult, but have a really good curve. Exams very difficult to study for, but using the practice exams from Canvas is very helpful. Lots of homework also.
Prof Sam is a very sweet man but he lectures very heavily. His lectures are very monotone and his tests/exams are challenging (because they cover so much info) BUT he gives a huge curve. A 75 is an A, so if you review and pay a little attention in class you should do fine. He is there for help yet he talks a lot so not always helpful.
Sparace is a great professor! Sometimes his lectures are boring, but if you try and pay attention it helps. The exams are heavily curved, with a 75 being an A. He is very available outside of class and has weekly review sessions. He cares about both the students and biology!
Quite honestly one of the worst classes I've ever taken at Clemson. Sparace is known for giving a huge curve but does that because his exams are of an absolutely absurd level of difficulty. I would never, ever recommend him. Lectures are painfully boring and no one shows up to class either.
Saved my biology grade, gives 15-20 point curves on all tests
Salvatore is a sweet older gentleman who likes to make plant jokes. 3 main suggestions; go to class, STUDY THE PRACTICE TEST, do mastering bio (extra credit) and you will get an A in this class. Make sure to study the practice tests that he provides until you memorized every answer and I promise you'll get that 75. A 75 is an A in his class.
Sparace is by far one of the worst professors I have ever had. Until this class, I had a 4.0 GPA and I am currently failing this one class. The tests are impossible to pass, regardless of the curve. His lectures are painful to sit through and he just reads off of a power point that everyone can access at home, so no one goes to class anymore.
Sparace's curve makes up for the insane amount of material covered during class. He reuses questions from quizzes, homework, and old exams. He provides several methods for learning through Pearson. I have made an A+ on every exam with his curve. He is a very sweet, charming professor.
Professor Sparace is not a very good teacher. I didn't retain anything in his class. I stopped going to class and studied on my own and did better in his class. His tests are insanely hard and they are nearly impossible to study for.
Doesn't answer emails and exams are extremely difficult. Averages for exams are always below 50s but curves heavily. I cannot learn anything from his class and am not ready for Bio 2 now. Have to teach yourself everything.
Everyone complains about him and says his tests are so hard. But, if you review his previous exams he provides, so many of the questions are repeats. It is not hard to get an A if you put effort in. Know the answers to the previous exams and this will save you on the tests, so you already know the right answers. I have gotten all A's.
He's very nice, but his lectures are very boring. He just reads straight off powerpoints that are posted on Canvas, so no one shows up after the first week or so of classes. Tests are very difficult and the class averages are always in the 50s or below. In a lecture of about 270 people, only 10-15 kids get As. Would not recommend this professor.
Exams are worth 90% of your final grade and they are so hard. Got a 56 on the first one and a 42 on the second. Finally got a 90 on the third one after studying in the library for 6 hours. His lectures are so boring and unhelpful. He is so smart and knows the content, but he's awful at teaching it. The good thing is that he has a huge curve.
This class was very difficult for me, and almost every other student in the class. While Sparace makes himself available outside of class via email and office hours it isn't enough to teach you all the required materials. You go over a concept once and the next time you will see it is on a quiz or test, which are 90% of your grade. Hard course...
Sparace drones on in every lecture and does not even look up to answer any questions. The powerpoints are too long and the information on the test is so specific. The class average is consistently in the 40's. The curve makes everyone with a 40 have a b or a c which is nice but also that's not beneficial to learning at all. Dont take him
He is a very sweet old man, but he isn't the best prof. The class average is consistently in the 40/50's, he has a very weird way of asking questions. Lectures the entire time reading the board and doesn't engage with audience. There is a curve on the tests and room for a little EC but you will have to try and teach yourself.
Sparace expects you to know the material, but he is 100% willing to help you get there and he provides everything you need to succeed. He also curves the class so that really helps with the grading.
Professor Sparace is a really sweet man, but his class is straight lecture. There are very few assignments and the exams are the majority of your grade. The class average for his exams are a 55. There is extra credit but it only allows up to 2.6% total if you make a 100 on all of them.
I honestly would have taken any science other class instead of his, but I was already too far into the semester. The exams are worth 20/22% and theres four in total. They are absolutely killer but doable if you put a lot of time into the course. I did spend plenty of days crying and worrying over this class though. I fought to get the C i earned.
He does not set a schedule for the material or give you any idea what to read, but still expects you to read before class. Good luck.
Honestly one of the hardest classes I've ever taken. Would study for about 20 hours for an exam and the highest grade I ever got was a 64. Pulls about 25% of the exams from questions from the book and old exams. Homework is extra credit and gives a huge curve on every exam. I averaged a 58 on the exams and still passed with a C.
I've had Prof Sparace for two semesters, and the only way I have improved in his class is by not going to lectures and teaching myself all the material. You pretty much have to memorize the PowerPoints word-for-word. His raw test scores average in the 40s, but his massive curve saved my grade. Take another professor if you can.
Lectures basically put you to sleep they're so boring. Just reads off the slides that are posted on canvas so no more than 20 out of 180 or so students show up to class. Exams are impossible and the class averages are always in the low 50s. They're also worth 90% of your grade. Only plus is the curve. I averaged a 58 on exams and ended with a B.
Very difficult professor but overall very knowledgable about biology. Being honest my success came from teaching myself, but you NEED to understand the information for the exams. You cannot just memorize! VERY large curve I currently have a 77 and have an A.
I think the fact that he is known for his intense curves on tests kind of hints at the way he conducts his class. Tests are insanely difficult, lectures are intense, and there is so much material. I think Sam as a person is a sweet and funny guy but it does not make up for the intensity of his class.
While a knowledgeable man, Sparace formats his class in a way more suitable for biology majors. The content he teaches is very different from what the other bio professors are teaching and is more difficult. Avoid him if you can, his class is a GPA killer.
Took him for 1030 and 1040. Unless you are super passionate about biology, do not take this class with him. The only positive thing is that he grades with a massive curve, but only because 90%+ of the class would fail without it.
Don't believe the extra credit it only counts for literally less than a percentage point at the end. while yes I made a D but he does not round and I missed a C by a fraction of a point because his 'extra credit' wasn't extra credit. Lectures are long and outdated by a few years. You'll not get over a 40 on a test unless you have magic powers. Help
if you are an incoming freshman at clemson...do NOT take salvator sparace. He is a very sweet man but most people who take bio also take hard classes like chem so I would recommend wienbrennur for bio she is amazing and class is so much easier
I took Sparace three years ago for Biology 1030 and 1040 as a freshman. Now I'm a senior about to graduate, and I can confidently say that this is the hardest class I've taken by far. It completely tanked my GPA, and the only C's I got in college were in his classes. Will never forgive this man for making this class so unnecessarily difficult.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
21%
Textbook Required
8%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
B
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Stable
+0.12 avg changeRatings by Course
BIO103
3.3
(3)BIOL1030
2.7
(55)BIO1040
2.5
(8)BIO1030
2.2
(19)BIOL1040
1.3
(3)Difficulty by Course
BIO103
4.7
BIOL1040
4.7
BIO1040
4.6
BIO1030
4.6
BIOL1030
4.2