Dr. Sparks teaches in the Department of Plant & Soil Sciences. Her teaching philosophy centers around applied learning and student-centered experiences. Courses and their associated syllabi are detailed below.
Current Classes
PLSC270: Biotechnology: Science and Socioeconomic Issues
Undergraduate course, cross-listed with Applied Economics and Statistics, that covers the fundamentals of biotechnology with a particular focus on agriculture. PLSC270 is now offered every Fall semester.
Spring 2022 Syllabus
Spring 2023 Syllabus
Fall 2024 Syllabus
Spring 2022 Syllabus
Spring 2023 Syllabus
Fall 2024 Syllabus
PLSC435/635: Plant Developmental Biology
Upper level undergraduate and graduate course on the fundamentals of plant developmental biology. Both sections of this course meet together. Course is taught by lecture with a focus on reading and interpreting primary scientific literature. PLSC435/635 is taught every other Fall semester in even-numbered years.
Fall 2018 Syllabus
Fall 2020 Syllabus
Fall 2022 Syllabus
Fall 2024 Syllabus
Fall 2018 Syllabus
Fall 2020 Syllabus
Fall 2022 Syllabus
Fall 2024 Syllabus
Previously Taught Classes
PLSC201: Botany II
This lecture and lab course is a core course for Plant and Soil Sciences. Dr. Sparks taught this course for one semester while the usual instructor was on Sabbatical.
Spring 2021 Syllabus
Spring 2021 Syllabus
PLSC367-011: Controlled Environment Agriculture for Urban Environments
Undergraduate course focused on the design and construction of hydroponic growth systems. This course has been developed as part of the UD MakerGym to provide experiential learning experiences in agriculture. We have partnered with the Tonic Theater Company to design hydroponic growth systems compatible with community theater and providing education and access to fresh produce.
Spring 2019 Syllabus
Spring 2019 Syllabus
