Microbiology and Anatomy and Physiology II online?

happy2learn · Jun 24, 2010

My community college offers their A&P classes online, with a virtual lab, every quarter. Some people hate it and find they don't learn much, while others enjoy it. If you don't need to learn by touching and doing hands on experiments, then you should be fine.

However, they do not offer a completely online Micro. It's a hybrid (which is what I'm doing this summer.)

You just need to make sure it will be accepted by the program you want to do.

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Jun 24, 2010

If I understand correctly you can do virtual labs and set some stuff up at home. Micro is definately a lab with lots of hands on stuff and I don't really know what you would be able to do safely at home. A&P is probably more possible on line but I liked being able to see things more 3D and taking apart the models and putting them back together. While pictures of dissection help there is nothing like cutting and touching for yourself. Obviously if the school takes it and this is your only option go for it online.

It all depends on the school and their online curriculum. Through ccconline, you have to purchase a labpaq which you do at home. In micro, my labs included differential staining, Methyl Red tests, motility testing, antibiotic sensitivity, fomite transmission and fungi (plus more). This was my favorite class.

In AP 1&2 we dissected a cow eyeball, sheep heart, even fetal pig (more here too). Nothing was virtual and my lab reports were often 18 pages or more when I was done. Great class, but what a beast!

scifihippie · Jun 24, 2010

I'm in the nursing program at Southwest currently. You have to complete the classes before the Oct 15th deadline to be considered. I know they tell you that you don't have to have them to apply, but believe me, you will not get accepted without them. They are a HUGE part of your score for admissions consideration, in fact your grade in them is almost 80% of your admission score. I took A&PII and Micro in the summer. I think you still have time to try and get in a class for the Summer II session if you are done with A&PI and there's space.

Rocketeer · Jun 24, 2010

Since you are in TN, check out the Regents Online Degree Program (RODP) class offerings. I'm currently taking Micro online, and I did verify that my nursing program accepts it (Columbia State). I just don't know if there will be another course offered that ends before mid-October. The one I am in runs June- August and it's too late to join now.

Good luck!

GM2RN · Jun 27, 2010

Unless they are hands-on with a lab, don't do them. There is no other learning then the kind you get when you have your hands deep into a cat clearing out the vascular system to really see how everything functions.
Anything nursing/biology related online, to me, is a joke. That's like saying that you are going through Nursing school and learning how to insert an IV on a virtual patient. Hands-on is the way to go.
IMO, this whole program sounds fishy. How can you have virtual labs? Microbiology teaches you how to obtain cultures, proper way of handling microbes, etc. A&P I and II *HAVE* to have some sort of dissection--what is the point of even doing a dissection if you aren't physically doing it? And how can those classes be presented IN the program and not BEFORE? I'm not sure, but it just sounds kind of opposite of the mainstream nursing programs.

I took my A&P at University of Michigan and didn't dissect a thing.

cute-1 · Jul 1, 2010

Currently taking A&P 2 at edukan..we do labs.I already had to dissect an eyeball and heart,and PLENTY of virtual labs...I have actually learned a lot.And I don't get charged "out of State fees" I pay the same as the folks in Kansas!...full accredited school too.

BChach · Jul 1, 2010

I took an online A&P 1 and 2 class with lab from Phoenix College in Phoenix, AZ (NOT be to confused with University of Phoenix) about 3 years ago because I was unable to commute to/from a lab. (Apparently it was good enough for Hopkins to accept as credit, since that is where I went.) I actually thought the course was pretty decent, they used a virtual human cadavar that allowed you to "peel" tissue layers away to expose lungs, etc. underneath. It's becoming more popular to teach human dissection this way, I understand. At any rate, the professor who developed the course for Phoenix actually developed the original course for Rio Salada several years or so ago--I had a conversation with him regarding the class before I signed up because I had reservations on the quality. In the end, I was very pleased.

I also took an online Microbiology course with lab from Cayuga Community College. I had to purchase all the materials and did full experiments on my own and wrote a detailed lab journal. I borrowed a microscope from local university lab (via a friend connection) but you can buy your own one used. I think I would have preferred an in-person lab for this, but it worked out well for my needs and have no reservations recommending it if commuting is an issue for you.

Before you invest a semester in either of these courses, check with your prospective schools to see if they are ok. Both schools I mentioned are legitimate, accredited insitutions and these are considered legitimate lab classes, so chances are good you will be ok. As I said, every school I applied to did not blink an eye at my credits--and I got into every school I applied to.

Have fun!

berry1651 · Aug 1, 2010

This course has been mentioned in some earlier posts, but not since 2009 I think, so I thought I would mention a course that I just took at Ocean County College. It is an online microbiology course with a lab. You purchase a lab kit through a company called Lab Paq. I have noticed that there are a number of other schools that have the same system--an online microbio/chemistry/A&P course with a lab component--and they all use the Lab Paq materials. You are required to purchase the lab paq and a microscope. In my opinion, doing this kind of lab is just as effective as doing one 'in-person' with other students and a teacher who is present. That is, if the online teacher is responsive to your questions. In the case of Ocean County College, I found the teacher to be quite responsive, so if you ask a question, you will likely receive an answer that same day.

I also have the microscope from this course, along with the oil immersion lens that is required, and would be interested in selling it to anyone who is interested. Send me a private message if so.

queenjulie, RN · Jun 7, 2011

There is no other learning then the kind you get when you have your hands deep into a cat clearing out the vascular system to really see how everything functions.

I hope that's not true, because my RN school has labs for all it's A&P courses, and there is no dissecting in any of them, or even touching of real anatomical parts--everything is done with plastic models. We didn't study any animals whatsoever: We used a plastic heart, eyeball, skeleton, muscle, etc., for everything. (Which, I agree, was totally stupid and might has well have been done online. I was p1ssed that I spent all that time and money and didn't get to actually dissect anything.)

Moogie · Jun 7, 2011

Moved to General Student Discussions.

Please keep in mind that this is an old thread and some of the participants in the first few pages may or may not still be active. If you ask one of them a question, you may not get an answer.

caliotter3 · Jun 7, 2011

For anyone who may have scheduling problems, The University of New England offers these courses and has rolling admissions. A student can also complete the courses as fast as they are able. http://www.une.edu/com/online