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Nicola J. R. Plowes, Ph.D.

Residential Faculty - Life Sciences

Life Science

Life Science

Office: NU 6 - Room: 174

Office Hours

MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday

Online

Online

Online

Online

Online

    By appointment

Classes Taught

Spring 2025

BIO182 General Biology (Majors) II 4 Credits

The study and principles of structure and function of living things at cellular, organismic, and higher levels of organization. A detailed exploration of the mechanisms of evolution, biological diversity, biology of organisms, and ecology.

Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO181, or BIO181XT, or permission of Department or Division.
General Education Designations: Natural Sciences General [SG]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
26541
Dobson Campus
In-Person
Lecture
01/13/2025 – 05/09/2025
MoWe
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM

Closed

Notes: Zero-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of required online instructional materials for this "Z Class" is $0.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning, teaching, and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or have an open license copyright that permits no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, retention, redistribution, and adaptation by others.

Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 26541 must also register for .
26546

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
01/13/2025 – 05/09/2025

Class Started

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Zero-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of required online instructional materials for this "Z Class" is $0.

Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning, teaching, and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or have an open license copyright that permits no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, retention, redistribution, and adaptation by others.

Student attendance and participation will be tracked through weekly assignment completion. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device with a webcam, microphone and speakers, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified.

Class 26546 Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 26546 must also register for one of .
26542
Dobson Campus
In-Person
Lab
01/13/2025 – 05/09/2025
Mo
9:00 AM – 11:50 AM

Closed

Notes: Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning, teaching, and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or have an open license copyright that permits no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, retention, redistribution, and adaptation by others.

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 26542 must also register for .
26547

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
01/13/2025 – 05/09/2025

Class Started

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning, teaching, and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or have an open license copyright that permits no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, retention, redistribution, and adaptation by others.

Class 26547 Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 26547 must also register for .
28423

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
01/13/2025 – 05/09/2025

Class Started

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning, teaching, and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or have an open license copyright that permits no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, retention, redistribution, and adaptation by others.

Class 28423 Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 28423 must also register for .

Spring Flex Start 2025

BIO181 General Biology (Majors) I 4 Credits

The study and principles of structure and function of organisms at the molecular and cellular levels. A detailed exploration of the chemistry of life, the cell, and genetics.

Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.
General Education Designations: Natural Sciences Quantitative [SQ]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
28952

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
03/17/2025 – 05/09/2025

Closed

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Class Meets for Second Eight (8) Weeks

Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning, teaching, and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or have an open license copyright that permits no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, retention, redistribution, and adaptation by others.

A lab kit must be purchased from Home Science Tools https://www.homesciencetools.com/product/mcc-hybrid-bio-181-kit/. Exams will require the use of a lockdown browser and smartphones will not work with the online exams. I-Pads can be used.

Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 28952 must also register for .
28953

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
03/17/2025 – 05/09/2025

Closed

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Class Meets for Second Eight (8) Weeks

Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning, teaching, and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or have an open license copyright that permits no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, retention, redistribution, and adaptation by others.

A lab kit must be purchased from Home Science Tools https://www.homesciencetools.com/product/mcc-hybrid-bio-181-kit/

Lab Notes: Students must register for lecture and lab.

Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 28953 must also register for .

Summer 2025

BIO182 General Biology (Majors) II 4 Credits

The study and principles of structure and function of living things at cellular, organismic, and higher levels of organization. A detailed exploration of the mechanisms of evolution, biological diversity, biology of organisms, and ecology.

Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO181, or BIO181XT, or permission of Department or Division.
General Education Designations: Natural Sciences General [SG]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
16325

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
05/27/2025 – 07/17/2025

Open

14 of 24
Seats Available

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Zero-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of required online instructional materials for this "Z Class" is $0.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning, teaching, and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or have an open license copyright that permits no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, retention, redistribution, and adaptation by others.

Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Class 16325 Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 16325 must also register for .
16326

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
05/27/2025 – 07/17/2025

Open

14 of 24
Seats Available

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning, teaching, and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or have an open license copyright that permits no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, retention, redistribution, and adaptation by others.

Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Class 16326 Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 16326 must also register for .

Fall 2025

BIO181 General Biology (Majors) I 4 Credits

The study and principles of structure and function of organisms at the molecular and cellular levels. A detailed exploration of the chemistry of life, the cell, and genetics.

Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in RDG100, or RDG100LL, or higher, or eligibility for CRE101. One year of high school or one semester of college-level biology and chemistry is strongly recommended.
General Education Designations: Natural Sciences Quantitative [SQ]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
22402

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
08/25/2025 – 12/19/2025

Open

23 of 24
Seats Available

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning, teaching, and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or have an open license copyright that permits no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, retention, redistribution, and adaptation by others.

Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Exams will require the use of a lockdown browser and smartphones will not work with the online exams. I-Pads can be used.

Textbook and lab manual available at no cost and may include OER (Open Educational Resources). A lab kit must be purchased from Home Science Tools https://www.homesciencetools.com/product/mcc-hybrid-bio-181-kit/

Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 22402 must also register for .
22403

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
08/25/2025 – 12/19/2025

Open

23 of 24
Seats Available

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Class 22403 Class exams will require the use of a lockdown browser and monitor so you will need to have a computer or iPad with a microphone, speakers, and a camera. Chromebooks and smartphones will not work with this system, and can not be used to take the online exams. Lab kits are required. These can be purchased from Home Science Tools." ('Home Science Tools' hyperlink https://www.homesciencetools.com/product/mcc-hybrid-bio-181-kit/

Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Students may contact instructor at: [email protected]

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 22403 must also register for .
BIO182 General Biology (Majors) II 4 Credits

The study and principles of structure and function of living things at cellular, organismic, and higher levels of organization. A detailed exploration of the mechanisms of evolution, biological diversity, biology of organisms, and ecology.

Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in BIO181, or BIO181XT, or permission of Department or Division.
General Education Designations: Natural Sciences General [SG]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
24142
Dobson Campus
In-Person
Lecture
08/25/2025 – 12/19/2025
MoWe
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Open

22 of 24
Seats Available

Notes: Zero-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of required online instructional materials for this "Z Class" is $0.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning, teaching, and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or have an open license copyright that permits no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, retention, redistribution, and adaptation by others.

Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

This Bio182 section is aimed at biology majors, pre-med, pre-dentistry, pre-pharmacy, pre-vet and other professions in healthcare. MCAT and DAT practice questions are embedded into the course. The curriculum covers many of the biology topics covered in these entrance exams as well as some of the chemistry and math. It will also prepare you for the follow-on pre-requisite courses

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 24142 must also register for .
24143
Dobson Campus
In-Person
Lab
08/25/2025 – 12/19/2025
Mo
10:30 AM – 1:20 PM

Open

22 of 24
Seats Available

Notes: Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning, teaching, and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or have an open license copyright that permits no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, retention, redistribution, and adaptation by others.

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 24143 must also register for .

Fall Flex Start 2025

BIO116 Introduction to Animal Behavior 4 Credits

Scientific study of animal behavior for non-majors. Includes experimental exploration of current hypotheses for genetic and environmental influences, communication, reproductive strategies, habitat selection, and sociality. Prerequisites: None.
General Education Designations: Natural Sciences General [SG]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
24319

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
10/20/2025 – 12/19/2025

Open

16 of 24
Seats Available

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning, teaching, and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or have an open license copyright that permits no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, retention, redistribution, and adaptation by others.

Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Class Meets for Second Eight (8) Weeks

Class 24319 Honors Contracts are available for this course.

Class 24319 Students may contact instructor at [email protected]

Zero-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of required online instructional materials for this "Z Class" is $0.

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 24319 must also register for .
24320

Online Course
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
10/20/2025 – 12/19/2025

Open

16 of 24
Seats Available

Notes: This is an Online class that does not meet at specific class times. Students are required to have access to a computer or mobile device, and Internet access, unless otherwise specified. Before enrolling in their first online class at MCC, students need to view the online orientation and complete the readiness survey on https://www.mesacc.edu/online/get-started for additional information.

Low-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of the required materials for this course is $40 or less.

Class Meets for Second Eight (8) Weeks

Class 24320 Honors Contracts are available for this course.

Class 24320 Students may contact instructor at [email protected]

Zero-Textbook-Cost Class: The total cost of required online instructional materials for this "Z Class" is $0.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning, teaching, and research materials in any format and medium that reside in the public domain or have an open license copyright that permits no-cost access, re-use, re-purpose, retention, redistribution, and adaptation by others.

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 24320 must also register for .

Degrees & Awards

BS Biology (Ecology, Evolution, Conservation) (UT Austin 1999)

PhD Entomology (UCONN 2008)

Post-doctoral studies at ASU SOLS (2008-2013)

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