Nicola J. R. Plowes

Residential Faculty - Life Sciences

Life Science

Life Science

Office: NU 6 - Room: 174

Office Hours

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

Classes Taught

Summer 2026

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 BIO181XT, or permission of Department or Division.
General Education Designations: Natural Sciences General [SG]
Section Location Delivery Dates Days Times Availability
13940
Online (On Your Time)
Lecture
05/26/2026 – 07/16/2026

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.

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.

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 13940 must also register for .
13941
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
05/26/2026 – 07/16/2026

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.

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.

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 13941 must also register for .

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

Open

17 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.

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 15431 must also register for .
15432
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
08/24/2026 – 12/18/2026

Open

17 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 15432 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/

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.

Lecture Notes: Students registering for class 15432 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 BIO181XT, 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

Open

11 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.

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 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

Open

11 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 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

Open

4 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.

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

Class Meets for Second Eight (8) Weeks

Class 17078 Honors Contracts are available for this course.

Lab Notes: Students registering for class 17078 must also register for .
17079
Online (On Your Time)
Lab
10/19/2026 – 12/18/2026

Open

4 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.

Class Meets for Second Eight (8) Weeks

Class 17079 Honors Contracts are available for this course.

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 17079 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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