Nicola J. R. Plowes, Ph.D.

Residential Faculty - Life Sciences

Life and Environmental Sciences

Office: NU 6 - Room: 174

Office Hours

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Online
Online
Online
Online
Online
    
By appointment

Classes Taught

Fall 2026

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 [NSI], Natural Sciences Quantitative [SQ]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
15431
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
08/24/2026 – 12/18/2026

Class Started

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 15431 must also register for .

15492
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
08/24/2026 – 12/18/2026

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.

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.

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

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 15492 must also register for .

15432
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
08/24/2026 – 12/18/2026

Class Started

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 15432 must also register for .

17143
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
08/24/2026 – 12/18/2026

Closed

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 17143 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 BIO181CM, or permission of Department or Division.

General Education Designations: Natural Sciences [NSI], Natural Sciences General [SG]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
16933
Dobson Campus

LS 208

In-Person
Lecture
08/24/2026 – 12/18/2026
MoWe
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Closed

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 16933 must also register for .

16934
Dobson Campus

LS 206

In-Person
Lab
08/24/2026 – 12/18/2026
Mo
10:30 AM – 1:20 PM

Closed

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 16934 must also register for .

Fall Flex Start 2026

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 [NSI], Natural Sciences General [SG]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
17078
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
10/19/2026 – 12/18/2026

Class Started

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 17078 must also register for .

17079
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
10/19/2026 – 12/18/2026

Class Started

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 17079 must also register for .

Spring 2027

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 BIO181CM, or permission of Department or Division.

General Education Designations: Natural Sciences [NSI], Natural Sciences General [SG]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
10364
Dobson Campus

LS 208

In-Person
Lecture
01/20/2027 – 05/14/2027
MoWe
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM

Open

9 of 24
Seats Available

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 10364 must also register for .

10368
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
01/19/2027 – 05/14/2027

Open

45 of 48
Seats Available

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 10368 must also register for one of .

10369
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
01/19/2027 – 05/14/2027

Open

22 of 24
Seats Available

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 10369 must also register for .

11771
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
01/19/2027 – 05/14/2027

Open

23 of 24
Seats Available

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 11771 must also register for .

Spring Flex Start 2027

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 [NSI], Natural Sciences Quantitative [SQ]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
12047
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
03/22/2027 – 05/14/2027

Open

23 of 24
Seats Available

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 12047 must also register for .

12048
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
03/22/2027 – 05/14/2027

Open

23 of 24
Seats Available

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 12048 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 BIO181CM, or permission of Department or Division.

General Education Designations: Natural Sciences [NSI], Natural Sciences General [SG]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
10365
Dobson Campus

LS 206

In-Person
Lab
01/25/2027 – 05/14/2027
Mo
9:00 AM – 11:50 AM

Open

9 of 24
Seats Available

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 10365 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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