Newbie seeks help with biology degree!

[Yenisei]

There are quite a few UL Bio courses out there- look at SUNY Empire State College or U California Berkeley extension in addition to the CBE options at Ohio U. Fort Hays State may also have a few options.

Microbiology is probably UL at TESC (verify that with an advisor), and you can take that at New Mexico Junior College with an online lab.

Be sure to take Organic Chemistry (should be able to find that at community college). Take two semesters if you can.

Does anyone know if the ECE Genetics is UL or LL?

[Jonathan Whatley]

Start working toward a combined BA Psychology and Biology at TESC. Figure out which classes overlap and test out of those.

I think this is the first time I've ever kind-of differed with ryoder, not counting politics :), but there will be little to no overlap between Biology and Psychology at TESC.

I bet the schools would accept someone with the required undergrad prereqs but a bachelors in psychology.

Agreed. If you've taken enough and the right courses in prerequisite subject x, grad schools typically don't mind if your major is y.

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.

This could be a great idea, if that second school allowed you to do so. You'd have to find that out from the school.

[sanantone]

There are quite a few UL Bio courses out there- look at SUNY Empire State College or U California Berkeley extension in addition to the CBE options at Ohio U. Fort Hays State may also have a few options.

This is where it gets expensive. Courses at UC Berkeley are $800-900!

[Jonathan Whatley]

There are quite a few UL Bio courses out there- look at SUNY Empire State College or U California Berkeley extension in addition to the CBE options at Ohio U. Fort Hays State may also have a few options.

Excelsior College offers a number of UL biology courses. TESC offers GER-312 Biological Aspects of Aging, which they or another school might, might, accept towards a biology major or concentration. A biopsychology or neuropsychology course might, might, fall into the small overlap between biology and psychology. Several schools offer these. For instance EC offers PSY-380 Biopsychology, and the University of Idaho offers Psyc 372 Physiological Psychology. COSC offers PSY 450 Introduction to Neuropsychology. They state explicitly that this can't be used within a science concentration at COSC, but another school might, might allow it.

Does anyone know if the ECE Genetics is UL or LL?

It's LL from ECE. Now, searching "genetics" in TESC's PLA database, the two course descriptions that are close in content are

Human Genetics (BIO-241) 3.00 s.h.
The scientific principles of genetics as the basis for genetic counseling and referral. Examples of inherited afflictions that are wide spread or so severe as to brin persons so afflicted to the attention of the physician for diagnosis.

Genetics (BIO-341) 3.00 s.h.
A modern approach to understanding the nature and functioning of hereditary material in living organisms. Biochemistry of genetic material, physical basis of inheritance, and mode of expression of genetic material in individuals and populations.

If I have the way TESC does this right, if they considered the content closest to, and close enough to, their description for BIO-341, they would transcribe it at TESC as BIO-341 and so upper level.

[Jonathan Whatley]

• 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.

A friend of mine has studied with the UWF ocean science/oceanography program online.

And she's impressed! But she tells me that the head of the program was skeptical about the ability of any online program in ocean science/oceanography to prepare a student for graduate studies in oceanography, marine biology, etc. This has probably contributed to the B.S. program's retirement.

That would also help explain the strong disclaimer on this page about the program:

this non-research distance-learning degree is aimed at off-campus students who have an interest in oceanography and coastal and marine studies and who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree. This degree is ideal for those students whose career interests require a basic understanding of oceanography but who do not plan on pursuing a traditional research based master's or doctoral program in oceanography.

The more interdisciplinary UWF online B.A. in Maritime Studies seems set to continue.

For her part my friend, who knows about these things, writes that if you want an "interactive job working with animals or sealife, [you] will want a hands on in person degree. That or score a good internship while going to school online."

[hudspithk]

The biology degree at TESC isn't listed under their online degrees section. I only see Nat Sci/Math . That won't matter? Will it just limit me on what classes can be taken as a test out option and require more be taken as an actual class either online or in class? Also, I see you are all recommending I check out different online schools for Bio UL classes, would I just apply to these schools and once I've been accepted take one class - or how does this work? Honestly, I am significantly more interested in psychology than biology, but when I was reading reqs for grad programs most or all of them said a bachelors in biology, animal science, or another related life-science field. So I gathered from that psychology wouldn't work, any other thoughts? I initially assumed psychology would work because the field I'm most interested in is animal behavior.

[Jonathan Whatley]

Not distance learning, but let me just put this out there:

Lockwood School of Diving, Florida Keys Community College.

Diving physics and physiology and diving medical technology overlap some with hyperbaric medical technology, the allied health profession that works with hyperbaric chambers. rebel100, our badass Florida paramedic, was just talking about opportunities in hyperbaric technology in another thread.

[Jonathan Whatley]

The biology degree at TESC isn't listed under their online degrees section. I only see Nat Sci/Math.

Okay, here's how that happens: TESC, COSC, and possibly EC publish lists of degrees that can be completed entirely with online courses from them, using no other source of credit. Biology is on TESC's more important, full list of B.A. degrees. (Via the full index of undergraduate degrees. TESC also has an associate's degree in biology.)

Also, I see you are all recommending I check out different online schools for Bio UL classes, would I just apply to these schools and once I've been accepted take one class - or how does this work?

Pretty much! You'd apply as something called a visiting student, transient student, letter of permission student (your Big Three or your other destination, degree-granting school would issue this letter), or similar.

Honestly, I am significantly more interested in psychology than biology, but when I was reading reqs for grad programs most or all of them said a bachelors in biology, animal science, or another related life-science field. So I gathered from that psychology wouldn't work, any other thoughts? I initially assumed psychology would work because the field I'm most interested in is animal behavior.

Human psychology is a great field for a low-cost, exam-heavy classic Big Three approach. Animal behavior does comes up… but within exams or courses, with rare exception, much more focused on human behavior.

[hudspithk]

You've all been VERY helpful! When I get home from work this evening, I'm going to work on a degree plan. I'm sure I'll be sure I'll be needing your help, so hopefully you guys will be here

[hudspithk]

If anyone knows where a good sample BA Biology from TESC is on here, please feel free to point it out to me