Newbie seeks help with biology degree!

[hudspithk]

Ok, a few months ago I discovered the big 3 and decided I was going to go after a BA in Psych from TESC - wrote out a degree plan and everything. I've since decided that a biology degree would suit me better. I'm thinking perhaps a BS in biology from EC. I didn't like that COSC had "concentrations" instead of a major and I think I'd rather have a BS than a BA like TESC gives. My goal is to finish my bachelors then go on to grad school. I'd like my masters to be in animal science, animal behavior, zoology, or something of the like. I'd like to work as a zoo keeper, marine mammal trainer, or anything along those lines really. My first question is if I were to get my degree at EC, using mostly test out options, would I be able to transfer into a graduate program? I've become slightly confused reading about transferring and any information would be helpful. Does anybody know of any grad programs in any of the fields of listed that could be completed online? I'm also close to U of South Alabama, UWF, Columbia Southern, Pensacola State College, and a community college. If I can't find a program online for my masters, I was also considering moving to Auburn for their animal science program. Does anyone have any information on transferring into a masters program there?

I know I sound lost- I am. I've been reading this forum non-stop for two days and my brain feels overwhelmed! Any help or advice any of you guys can give me would be very much appreciated. Thank you all.

[Jonathan Whatley]

Welcome! :)

I'm thinking perhaps a BS in biology from EC. I didn't like that COSC had "concentrations" instead of a major

EC recently redesigned their liberal arts degree programs. Their program in biology is now… a "Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences (Biology concentration)."

You might want to consider the case of Harvard College. Every undergraduate degree subject area title there is a "concentration." See their main Life Sciences page, which includes biology subjects. They almost overplay the point – concentration this, concentrator that, even something there for the "pre-concentrator!"

I think I'd rather have a BS than a BA like TESC gives.

You might want to consider the case of – yep! :) – Harvard College. Except for a few programs in engineering that lead to a Bachelor of Science, if I'm not mistaken, every undergraduate program from Harvard College leads to a Bachelor of Arts. Outside of those specific engineering programs, Harvard retired its Bachelor of Science going to an all-Bachelor of Arts as of the class of 1950. (Harvard, like a few other traditionalist schools, uses a Latin style where these are abbreviated "A.B." and "S.B.")

Now TESC, COSC, and EC aren't Harvard College. But if there's any real disadvantage to styling a degree subject a concentration, or a natural science degree a Bachelor of Arts, every Harvard College graduate in biology would share it with graduates of these three.

My goal is to finish my bachelors then go on to grad school. I'd like my masters to be in animal science, animal behavior, zoology, or something of the like. I'd like to work as a zoo keeper, marine mammal trainer, or anything along those lines really.

Doing well in standard academic work in biology would be a great asset toward grad school admissions, and careers, in these fields.

But so would practical experience, working with zoo or aquarium animals, diving if applicable, etc. You'd also want strong letters of recommendation that can speak to you in both broad respects.

Is it possible to do academic work by distance and build this practical experience locally? If you have a zoo, aquarium, etc. locally and can get in there with appropriate progressive responsibilities, I don't see why not. But this isn't going to come built in to any distance learning program.

I'm not saying this to discourage you.

My first question is if I were to get my degree at EC, using mostly test out options, would I be able to transfer into a graduate program? I've become slightly confused reading about transferring and any information would be helpful.

The word "transfer" is never used in this case. You would have completed your bachelor's degree. You'd be applying for a completely new degree at a higher level. Your bachelor's degree would meet a prerequisite for admission.

Does anybody know of any grad programs in any of the fields listed that could be completed online? I'm also close to U of South Alabama, UWF, Columbia Southern, Pensacola State College, and a community college. If I can't find a program online for my masters, I was also considering moving to Auburn for their animal science program. Does anyone have any information on transferring into a masters program there?

Again, applying for, not tranferring to.

[OE800_85]

I think Jonathan said it all there. Keep in mind, if you want to do a non-liberal arts major (with a few exceptions) you have to do several full fledged courses to fulfill those requirements. In my case, I used testing to complete a lot of general education credits. However, your major will be approximately 30-36 credits, and MOST of them can not be completed via exams. That's not so bad, since a degree is 120 credits, however you can't test out 100% like you would with Psychology from TESC.

[sanantone]

Sorry if I repeat anything that's already been said. I started typing up a response and had to leave the computer.

That's too bad because TESC gives UL credit for more tests and community college courses. COSC gives credit for the Biology GRE. It's going to be a bit more difficult and expensive to complete your degree at Excelsior. Ohio University might have a few exams that will help.

Graduate programs in the natural sciences can be quite competitive. They'll probably want to see at least 30-60 graded credit credits, but a high GRE score on the general test and biology subject test could help overcome this. I've found online, biology-related, graduate programs that might interest you.

Western Kentucky University - MS in Biology
Mississippi State University - MS in Forestry
University of Missouri - MS in Forestry/Agroforestry
Georgia Institute of Technology - MS in Medical Physics
Lehigh University - MS in Molecular Biology
Colorado State University - M.E. with a Biological Engineering Specialization
Canisius College - MS in Anthrozoology
University of Saint Joseph - MS in Biochemistry
University of West Alabama - Master of Education in Biology
University of Florida - Master of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
University of Maryland University College - MS in Biotechnology
University of Nebraska - Master of Applied Science (can create a concentration in subjects such as Animal Science and Entomology)
University of Houston, Clear Lake - MS in Biotechnology
University of Maryland College Park - Master of Chemical and Life Sciences

Edit: I see that Jonathan pointed out that Excelsior no longer has a major in biology and BAs are quite common for the natural sciences.

[Jonathan Whatley]

You might be interested in something from among these links.

• University of West Florida: B.S. in Ocean Science. Online. UWF is retiring this program soon. The last group of students will need to matriculate (enroll) by Summer 2013, and Summer 2013 courses begin May 13, 2013.

• University of West Florida: B.A. in Maritime Studies. Online. Includes marine life and environment, but also anthropology and marine archaeology, history and political issues of seafaring, etc. From a quick look I don't see any sign that they're phasing this one out.

• Bergin University of Canine Studies. A recent startup, with national accreditation, not regional accreditation. However, they may be a big name – the big name? – in the academic study of training assistance dogs, and the human-dog relationship generally. Their undergraduate programs seem to be on-campus. Their M.S. in Canine Life Sciences is a hybrid short residency program.

• ACE CREDIT National Guide: PADI International, Inc. You could earn ACE CREDIT recommendations for undergraduate, bachelor's level credit, from number of diving certifications from PADI. These recommendations are generally accepted by the Big Three, and often by other schools. The credits would almost always go to free electives, unless you worked out an individualized major at TESC, concentration at COSC, area of focus at EC or counterpart elsewhere where they fit. Note that some of the recommendations are for older versions of certifications, and a few have credit recommendations "In the vocational certificate category," which might not be accepted towards a degree program.

[sanantone]

North Carolina State University has an online Master of Animal Science.
Animail Science Graduate Program - MAS

[Jonathan Whatley]

Adding very slightly to sanantone's awesome. list:

Nova Southeastern University: M.A. in Marine and Coastal Studies. M.A. in Coastal Zone Management.
University of Florida: M.S. in Entomology. Also graduate and undergraduate certificates.
University of Saint Joseph: To the M.S. in Biochemistry above, add an M.S. in Biology. Also a grad cert in Emerging Infectious Diseases.

You might also find a fit to something in general environmental science (more natural sciencey) or environmental studies (more interdisciplinary with social sciences), environmental education, or agricultural education.

[hudspithk]

Now TESC, COSC, and EC aren't Harvard College. But if there's any real disadvantage to styling a degree subject a concentration, or a natural science degree a Bachelor of Arts, every Harvard College graduate in biology would share it with graduates of these three.

So, you don't think it would make much of a difference on grad school applications whether it's a BS or BA then?

The word "transfer" is never used in this case. You would have completed your bachelor's degree. You'd be applying for a completely new degree at a higher level. Your bachelor's degree would meet a prerequisite for admission.

Will that fact that I'd tested out of a majority of my credits be an issue when applying for my next degree?

In my case, I used testing to complete a lot of general education credits. However, your major will be approximately 30-36 credits, and MOST of them can not be completed via exams.

For the classes that you could not complete via exams did you take them at local community colleges (online or on-campus) or did you take them through one of the big three?

That's too bad because TESC gives UL credit for more tests and community college courses.

Edit: I see that Jonathan pointed out that Excelsior no longer has a major in biology and BAs are quite common for the natural sciences.

So you also agree that a BA and a BS wouldn't be too much of a difference to grad schools?

It's going to be a bit more difficult and expensive to complete your degree at Excelsior

More difficult?


Thank you all so much for helping me! I really appreciate it. And thanks for the list of schools you compiled! You've come up with WAY more than I had.


I haven't quite figured out how to quote correctly, I don't think. So bare with me.

[sanantone]

Adding very slightly to sanantone's awesome. list:

Nova Southeastern University: M.A. in Marine and Coastal Studies. M.A. in Coastal Zone Management.
University of Florida: M.S. in Entomology. Also graduate and undergraduate certificates.
University of Saint Joseph: To the M.S. in Biochemistry above, add an M.S. in Biology. Also a grad cert in Emerging Infectious Diseases.

You might also find a fit to something in general environmental science (more natural sciencey) or environmental studies (more interdisciplinary with social sciences), environmental education, or agricultural education.

Nova Southeastern almost always has something. :p

So you also agree that a BA and a BS wouldn't be too much of a difference to grad schools?

Graduate schools only care about prerequisites, GPA, test scores, letters of recommendation, and some of them will care about work/volunteer experience. They won't care about whether your degree is a BA or BS as long as you have all of the prerequisites. They won't care about concentrations either as long as they are equivalent to majors.

More difficult?

It'll be more difficult to find upper level biology credits, especially cheap, UL credits. COSC gives 9 UL credits for the biology GRE. TESC will give UL credit for community college courses and more tests. Excelsior does not give UL credit for CC courses and it would be more difficult to find tests that they'll accept as UL.

[ryoder]

Start working toward a combined BA Psychology and Biology at TESC. Figure out which classes overlap and test out of those.
This way you don't have to decide right now and you can become productive immediately.
If you can't get enough upper level BIO courses you could always do a Nat Sci/Math degree or just stick with the Psychology degree. I bet the schools would accept someone with the required undergrad prereqs but a bachelors in psychology. You could also consider taking grad level biology courses at the school of your choice to finish your bachelors. It will help you learn who the professors are in the department and may get you a foot in the door.