His accent is a little thick.

He has a thick accent. He is not a very good teacher but he tries. He is a nice guy though. It's a hard class.. study hard and ask him for help. Quizzes everyday and 3 midterms+final.

Professor Pires is a kind, brilliant, enthused instructor; however he does not go into depth on any topic at any level. His students are not engaged during class, he needs to be more comfortable and down to earth with his students. He has the desire to help his students, just ask, he is a eager to help!

have marcelo as my lab teacher for physiology.very nice and willing to help but not very clear on what you need to know for lab exams.not very confident and says wrong info someimes and the students have to correct him. sweet guy though. accent is not that bad!

love marcello, class is fun and he loves to teach! he is so eager to learn himself, if there is anything you ask and he doesn't know he will find out and tell you, so helpful. very knowledgeable on placentas. GREAT ACCENT, Seriously tho, I learned so much.

Great teacher! Enthused about Physiology and explains it in a simple and easy to understand style. Very approachable and teaches a fun class. His accent is NOT bad AT ALL. His words are crystal clear. Great class! You will look forward to lab with Marcelo! Lab exams are very fair as long as you study the lab manual!

Physiology is fun but it's up to you if you want to make it! Marcelo is doing a great job! I finished with a B,and I'm very happy with my overall grade. If you are not a hard work student, if you don't do homework, and paying attention to everything in the classroom, stay home! Don't bother to become a nurse! Good luck to you!

very helpful teacher, and is always willing to listen to you and assist you if you are struggling with the labs. Some of his lectures were vague in areas, but reading the book will clear up any issues. Marcelo is very nice and a fair grader, if you put in the work you will get the grade you deserve. Physio is difficult, no matter what

marcello is a wonderful teacher. He is so interesting. i dont know english very well and he helped me get an A by studying very hard. He does a great job at preparing future students in the health field. :) thank you marcello!

Great Instructor! Read your lab manuals before class. Just be the best student you can be by working hard and Prof. Pires will make it happen. Thank you Marcelo.

Great teacher, very dedicated and is always in his office willing to help even if it's not his standard 'office' hours. I learned a lot from him and he made it fun and enjoyable.

This was Marcelo's first semester teaching both lecture and lab...I'm not going to lie, it was very difficult. There are no surprises, everything you need to know for exams is in the PPT's and lab manual. I passed with an A, BUT I never missed a class and attended study groups. Marcelo is great and caring, you will LOVE him!! Thanks Marcelo!!

Challenging subject matter, but it's easy to understand with him. Every test question is from his PPT, no surprises. Makes sure everyone understands before moving on and answers questions thoughtfully. Has improved on the accent, easy to understand. Dedicated teacher, eager to help and cares about his students. I'm so glad he was my teacher!

Wonderful professor!His lighthearted spirit and encouraging personality made me look forward to class time. I also loved his clever analogies that brought difficult concepts down to earth.

He is a very caring and knowledgeable person. I went to his office hours and he was helpful. He answers his emails quickly also. I recommend him! In any class, your grade has to do with how much effort you put in it.

Thought this class was pretty interesting. He's a great teacher, super nice guy, you'll start to understand his accent after a couple classes. Tests are pretty difficult if you ask me. Enjoyed the class but the only thing I did not like was how he graded the class. I did really well on tests and would of had an A if he graded normally. Oh well!

Took Marcelo for Anatomy in the summer 2012 and Physiology in the fall 2012. He is a great professor very caring. Wants his students to succeed. He is the best science teacher that I have ever had.

If you are truly interested I the class then it will be easy. He has a true passion for what he teaches. The tests are a little difficult, but if you study they aren't that bad. There are some fun extra credit opportunities. There is a short animal observation due weekly, but they are a fun assignment compared to other classes.

Marcelo is very approachable and always available during office hours or after lab. With that said, this class is a HEAVY load with readings, homework packets, and lab homework... but that's how it is here at saddleback college. If you work full time or have other science classes, getting an A will be quite a challenge.

Marcelo is actually a good teacher. It is a tough class, but putting a lot of effort in self-study will help you a lot. He wants to help everyone pass. He provides study guides for each exam (which is extremely helpful!) and will answer any questions you have. Attend the lectures, take good notes, and study study study!

He is a nice and good professor. Really love what he teaches. Listen and do the homework. Clear study guide or group presentation and Exam. but the exams are still tough. Everyone put some effort can pass this class.

He is the best! nice and funny. Really love what he teaches. Clear lecture! Answer in-class questions. PowerPoints on blackboard. Super Clear study guide for the group presentations and exams. online quizzes on blackboard. Final is the exam 4. If you love animal, this class is a must take! LEARN A LOT!

Mr. Pires is a nice guy who actually enjoys what he teaches which is very refreshing. The key to passing this class is to fill out his study guides and actually read the book.

excellent professor.

I took Bio 20 lecture with Dr. Pires, his name is mispelled on this website. The way he grades I think helps syudents who are border line. He give syudy-guides which are really helpful, but sometimes he forgets to send them out earlier so that you can start working on them and study for the test. We're all human.. He is very knowledgeable about Biology, and you can tell he loves it by the way he lectures. ) great professor!

Excellent professor overall. Physiology is a hard class, but everything he tests on is gone over in lecture and in the powerpoints he provides. He really cares about the subject and the students, and it shows in his lecturing. Do not underestimate the first test, or for that matter any of his tests, memorization is not enough to get an a.

Dr. Pires is very intelligent and knowledgeable in his field. He puts together good power points. Most everything on his exams are covered in the lectures. I stopped reading my textbook a month in and just attended the lectures and I passed the course with a B. Full timer so go to his office hours with an Q's and he'll help you.

This class was a huge challenge. Marcelo is an awesome professor. Here is some advice for the class: don't memorize, conceptualize, don't bother with the book, use tutors, don't rely too much on tudors, understand physio ex concepts but don't spend too much time with the tedious virtual labs. There is no secret. Study hard.

I did one year of research with him and he is a great guy. really helpful and smart. he made me interested in the topic and I would recommend it to everyone. just email him

He is helpful, gives you everything you need for the test but when I say everything I mean everything so lots on the test. The good news is that you will actually learn Biology. Large lectures. If he goes over it in lecture its on the test.

evolution class. wow! I thought I had an understanding of evolution until I realized how much information most people do now know! this has been an amazing class because now I look around and have a better understanding and appreciation of the bigger picture. inspirational class! got an a b I studied and worked for it!

COMPLETE REVIEW: Hes a nice, helpful teacher. If you show him you want a good grade he will help you obtain it. Someone said something about his accent. ITS NOT BAD AT ALL. HIS TESTS ARE KINDA DIFFICULT. LOTS OF INFORMATION. BUT HE GIVES YOU A STUDY GUIDE. IF YOU DO ALL OTHER WORK IT HELPS YOU PASS THE CLASS EASIER, TESTS ARNT WEIGHTED AS MUCH!!!!

Very good teacher! really nice, cares about his students. lectures are really long and dense-a ton of information! gives out study guides and stuff but it's up to you to figure out what is important or not. (go to tutoring, they tell you what to focus on) His tests are some of the hardest I've ever taken. requires a lot of thought the entire test

His grading is straight forward: 4 exams and online multiple choice homework. I never studied for any exams (got D's on all of them) but I did all the homework assignments and I got a B in the class. Overall, he's a nice teacher and tries to make the class fun.

DON'T LET PEOPLE SCARE U ABOUT THIS CLASS. Awesome Professor! The material is not impossible. DON'T take with heavy load classes. It is a time consuming class. NEVER PROCRASTINATE. Start studying after every class and GO TO LRC tutors. Go to office hours. Never used book & got A's on tests (USE IF U DONT UNDERSTAND MATERIAL!!!). Studied 18hrs/week.

He is an amazing professor. I just took a general bio class with him though I didn't need it. I was an engineering major. his class was so lovely that changed my mind to Bio major. It would not be an easy A, but if you study enough and do the home work you would definitely get an A. I'm taking physio with him next semester. don't miss him!

I've never worked so hard for an A in my life. He's truly an amazing professor and SO helpful. Physiology class was no joke- dense material and you REALLY have to study. Grades based almost solely off exams. He really makes you conceptualize everything rather than "memorize" it... DEFINITELY prepares you for moving forward in nursing/kines careers!

I loved this class! Professor Pires was so approachable and is always there to answer questions. Be prepared to study 18-20 hrs/week. Study a little everyday after each lecture and you will do very well. Each exams are tiring because the questions make you use your brain power. It is all conceptualized and not much memorization. don't need book.

He's a good professor but he makes it too hard to get an A. He needs to grade on a curve or offer extra credit. A's need to be attainable for the devoted, smart students.

Definitely the toughest class I've taken. You will have to dedicate a lot of time to studying for every test. Lectures are long, sometimes the lectures during lab time and lecture. I found the subject very interesting, just very dense as well. I have learned a lot and I know it well help me in future classes.

Dr. Pires is one of my favorite professors at this school. He cares about his students a lot, so ask questions and visit his office hours. He is heavy on lectures and you will have to study at home. He does have an accent that I got used to, but some students say it is hard to understand. He makes sure you really understand the material.

Genuinely cares about his students. Was at a B after the final but close to an A and he gave me the A. If you show an effort he will help you succeed. Really cares about what he teaches and makes lab and lecture interesting and fun. Would highly recommend taking him! Very nice and approachable as well!

Assigns a handful of assignments, possibly because Pires wants to ensure that all his students know the material. Lectures are a bit monotone, but thorough and well planned out. Overall solid choice!

Regardless of his teaching skills, he's one of the best persons I have ever met, everyone loves him in the class. Wish we had more teachers like him.

Dr. Pires is one of the best professors (if not the best) professors I've had at saddleback. How you do in the class is really only dependent on you and your study and work habits. His lectures are interesting and presents the material clearly. And he's is really, really genuine and nice.

Great Professor, hard class. The class is not impossible at all, just be prepared to study (A LOT)! No matter what professor you have it is still a challenging subject. Go to every class but you will have to make time outside of class to understand the concepts! Going to the tutors is a MUST! Also, the textbook is not a must but it does help.

I am so lucky that I took BIO12 with him and I do learn a bunch of things from his lectures. He is such a positive person by giving each student hope and cares. He wants us to succeed in this class and help us a lot! 5% extra credit for each exam and some questions are straightly from homework. btw I have a C, 3 Bs, 3 As and still end up with an A.

He is the most caring proffessor i have ever had. The class is heavy but he doesn't add on bit to the pressure! He is constantly trying to create a positive learning environmet, helps the students all the time and does eveything in his ability to alliviate with the material and tests and etc. I never felt like i hated being in his class even once

Amazing professor!! I learned so much this semester!! Dr. Pires is extremely caring and kind, and genuinely cares about all his students. BIO12 is a hard class, so you MUST put in the time!! Study every single day! His lectures are always entertaining, and he is always willing to answer questions! Textbook is not a must , but it did help,

Great Professor. Passionate lectures. He's an easygoing man with a bit of an accent, but it's totally discernible. The class itself was the hardest class I've taken in college for me. Very large breadth of material to be covered. Homework and watching videos and skimming through reviews won't cut it. Expect to put in a lot of study time.

Professor Pires is the nicest and most positive Professor I had the pleasure of having. The material from physio is all made by Karah unfortunately, but Pires explains the concepts in a very simple, effective way. Studying key to succeeding in this class, and this is one of the hardest classes I had to take in my college career.

Great Professor. He is the most caring professor I have ever had. Positive person by giving each student hope and cares. amazing lecture.

This class is heavy stuff. I only took this course and was working part time, and I felt like I dedicated my free time to studying 90% of the time. Professor Pires is very kind and approachable. I would really advise to start studying right away and not get behind as there are a lot of exams for this class.

This class is the hardest one I have taken so far. It requires a lot of time and dedication to learn the material. The lecture tests aren't that hard, but the lab practicums are insane. Highly recommend taking the later class to get help from the morning class after they take it. The amount of memorization is insane for class is insane.

I took online summer 2020 during COVID. A 6-week class and you really have to keep up with lectures to stay on top of the class. He had pre-recorded video lectures that were great. Make sure to take really good notes on what he says because it will help you A LOT with exams/quizzes. Discussions were easy just put in the effort! Finished with an A!!

Professor Marcelo is amazing. He is enthusiastic about his work and he cares about his students. During class, he pauses to ask if all is on the same page; and if not, he will to his best ability help you understand the material. Also, he is extremely helpful during office hrs. and via email when you have any questions. Dr. Pires is one of the best

Best professor! Embarrassingly, this is my 3rd time taking physio and Professor Pires' class was my last chance. I did not perform as well as I wanted to, but that being said, I learned the most from him, of all three instructors I've taken Physio with. Lots of material which means lots of studying, but if you put in the time passing will be easy.

This was the hardest class Ive ever taken but it ended up being my favorite class. Professor Pires was great! He was super friendly and always available for questions. The exams were challenging but doable as long as you dedicate a lot (!) of time to studying. He also offers up to 5% extra credit on every exam.

One of the best professors I have had at Saddleback. Taking a tough subject like Physiology can be ten times more challenging with a professor that's not helpful, and Dr. Pires is awesome. His lectures are informative and engaging, but they are information-heavy. He offers small extra credit opportunities on every test, but make sure you study!

This class was definitely very hard, and was a challenge for me. I started off strong but towards the middle got lost and didnt keep up, luckily towards the end I did better. So make sure you push all the way through! Go to office hours!! Reach out to him!! He wants to help you, he is the reason I got through it! If you need to take Phys take him!

I was fortunate to have Professor Marcelo for my physiology course. He is caring and willing to help his students at all times. He is very organized and knowledgeable. He gave us some homework to practice for each exam( very important). He gave extra points for each exam which is very helpful to get an A. He likes his students to ask questions.

A lot of extra points which is very easy to get an A. He is very organized and well-presented course material as you know the expectation and what it takes to learn and succeed in this majors. He held multiple office hours to answer questions and help. He engaged the students during the presentation.

If you want to get an A you should choose Marcelo. Because I got an A and I felt not so hard. I was talking to another professor. After one week I changed to Marcelo. I am glad I choose the right one. He is very organized. For example, he will send an email for the week before that tells us about the following week's plan. He carries his students.

Easy to understand the information. He gave a lot of extra points that to encourage and help his students. Choosing him is the right decision. It is not too hard because willing to help his students.

He is a nice professor and easy to get an A. I would like to choose his class again. My friend will take his class soon.

Online LIVE meetings 4 hr lecture 4 lecture exams 2 lab exams 2 quizzes Cumulative final Idk how ppl are saying it's an easy A This was an extremely difficult class Marcelo is GREAT bc he really cares about students & encourages ques, frequently checks in w/ students. No cramming, study groups, tutoring, book not opened, rewarding. Highly recommend

I got a B, but I know if I did my hw and studied better I could have gotten an A (87% so close ;( - But he is really nice and doesnt make you feel bad for asking questions which I really appreciate. Explains things well. Physio is a hard class (5 unit) and more than half of the class dropped. So you have to study. Good luck

Dr Pires is really good at teaching a subject that's regarded as the hardest nursing pre-requisite. He breaks down the concepts and details so precisely that this course really didn't feel that hard. He encourages questions and participation during lectures. Take him!

BIO 12 was probably the hardest class I've taken. Prof Pires took the time out of his day to be available for tutoring/office hours/ test prep etc. My advice: Take advantage of his help! Ask him questions! He helped me understand the material so much in this time. I wouldn't have passed w/o utilizing office hours. Put in the work and you will pass

physio is by nature an extremely difficult and heavy class, but he does everything in his power to help and make himself available. Very good lecturer, it is obvious he loves his job. He gives you all the material you need to succeed, make sure to use all the material he gives you. Not a difficult grader, offers many opportunities for extra credit!

He is one of my favorite professors in college. He will help and walk you through the class. He is very generous with extra credits and easy on grading. Textbook is not necessary but it boosts your grade even higher if u read. Tutor is not necessary. Watch youtube videos, answer all Qs in each exam study guide. I'm pretty sure you would get an A

Prof. Pires subbed in for another professor halfway through my summer physio course. In the last 3 weeks we had him, he taught us alot and explained things thoroughly. He was understanding and a great sport when he had to pick up where our other professor left off. I wish I could've taken him for the whole semester, definitely recommend him.

Physiology is not easy! Marcelo made the material interesting and understandable. Use office hours for clarification on concepts that are confusing. Students never felt lesser than for asking a question, as he is excited to watch them succeed. You will get whatever you put in to this class. I would recommend Marcelo to anyone. He was incredible!

Marcelo is one of the best professors at Saddleback. A study guide is provided and there are lots of opportunities for extra credit. He is extremely knowledgeable and he makes it easy to learn and actually understand the concepts. He is also available before the exams to answer any last-minute questions you may have. He is the best!!!!

Dr. Pires is energetic, exciting, and has a way of delivering information in a way that makes it very interesting. The course matter was difficult and he made it far less intimidating.

Make sure to attend class and you should be golden! Professor pires is super passionate about physiology so he is pretty accessible and will answer like all the questions you have. Although its not required, you should try to work on the study guides which will boost your abilities for testing

Professor Pires is great and his lectures are very informative. The only thing I didn't like about this class was how forced group projects were. At the beginning of the semester we had to reach out to other students to form groups of 3-5, and then there were about 3 major group collaborative projects to complete throughout the semester.

This was the hardest class I have ever taken. There was just so much material! Lots of tests, but they are clear and straight from lectures and labs. Marcelo was one of the nicest professors I have had and seemed to really care about my success! If you put in the work you will be just fine.

Professor Pires makes this challenging course engaging. Attend class, use the study guide, and leverage resources like Unstuckstudy - it helped me stay on top of the material. Exams are tough but fair.

Dr. Pires is an awesome professor! His class is hard but it is definitely do able. You will have to study a lot throughout the week and weekend to get an A in the class. Always go to office hours as well he definitely cares and will go over the material with you again and answer any questions you have.

I'd gladly take another class with Dr. Pires; he seemed really nice! You could get away with just reading his lecture notes if you need to save coin, but the textbook helped. As long as you do his study guides, you're golden for the exams. It's a lot of material, but it's genuinely interesting!