GREAT online Microbiology class!

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Updated:   Published

Hi all, I cross posted this in the Distance Learning forum as well:

...just wanted to let those of you who might be looking for an online microbiology class that there are a few seats left (as of this morning, Tuesday) at Ocean Community College (www.ocean.edu). You have to purchase your own microscope, but on ebay you can get a used one, etc... Anyway, the instructor is quite renown (and very cool!), and is eager to take on as many students as he's able...

So, if you need it, apply and register soon!

...another micro class I found during my research is through edukan. The community colleges of Kansas create an umbrella of online classes called edukan, and they offer some wonderful classes also (many with an 8 week option, such as the micro class which begins in Oct.). VERY easy to work with in regard to application and registration. Just call the main edukan number and the woman there is AMAZING.

Both of the above micro classes/institutions are ENTIRELY accredited!

Good luck! If you have questions, feel free to email me! :yeah:

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am in central Il. & I'm considering taking some classes olnline @ EduKan. Thank you for this information, however,I have a few questions. How do distance learning programs in general offer science classes w/ labs, i.e. micro, a&p, chemistry? How do I check this institution's accredidations to make sure the credits will be universally accepted? Are these classes completely online? Is this a title four school that accepts financial aid? Is there a set time to go online & have class , or is this done on my own time where I'm simply require to meet assignment due dates testing deadlines? TIA for any help you provide. I will continue to investigate this institution & hopefully find the answers to my questions

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

great questions! see my replies below:

i am in central il. & i'm considering taking some classes online @ edukan.

awesome!

thank you for this information, however, i have a few questions.how do distance learning programs in general offer science classes w/ labs, i.e. micro, a&p, chemistry?

i am currently taking the a&p classes from apu (american public university run through american military university) - another wonderful cyber campus that is fully accredited (see below). the labs consist of videos, and simulated interactive labs that run by using a cd and web interface (in other words, you have to have a web connection to utilize the cd). they're great, with beakers, blood vials, epinephrine samples, etc. i have both biology and psychology degrees, and the online lab is every bit as much an educational experience as being person. to take things a step further, the instructor requires weekly written papers and participation in lab class discussion in addition to the typical lab worksheets. the labs are cool; beakers and everything! as for the anatomy portion of the class, it is all simulated and text-covered. that said, you'll be lucky if you find anyone using a real cadaver these days. my tenant was a kinesiology major at the local university, and her labs were all simulated.

as for microbiology, you will find with edukan (also fully accredited) that the microbiology course is a hybrid course. for students who are out-of-state, the instructor requires two proctored lab experiences - they can be taken at a lab (try engineering firms or medical labs), a university, community college, high school, etc., and the labs must be proctored by a professional that the instructor himself contacts to interview. the proctoring partner then independently communicates with the instructor on your abilities within the lab. remember, there are only two proctoring assignments, so not that big of a deal, and the rest is simulated as previously mentioned.

how do i check this institution's accredidations to make sure the credits will be universally accepted?

ok, therre are a few ways to go about this, and you may even want to combine them... first, research deep into the innards of the institution's website for accreditation information - they are required to have it in there somewhere, and it is often difficult to find. second, keep in mind that you'll be very hard pressed to find a state-run junior/community college anywhere that isn't full accredited (can you imagine living in ny and taking 10 or 15 classes and then moving to ca only to find your new choice of college won't accept the classes?). so, you're safe in that regard if you choose a jc (as edukan is a compilation of community colleges offering courses, they are indeed fully accredited - you will find when you register for a class you will actually have to choose one of the jcs to become matriculated with. think of edukan as a broker house for the distance learning classes kansas community colleges offer). third: call and ask the registrar and admissions office of the school you want to take classes from. fourth: if you are still concerned about transferring classes after finding a school is accredited, copy and paste the description of the class you are concerned about transferring over to and email it to your nursing school of choice (to the admission office). ask them point plank if the class is transferable by their guidelines.

are these classes completely online?

yes, with exception of the microbiology class offered from edukan. that said, i am taking my micro class from ocean community college in nj. occ is fully accredited and offers the famous 'one day per week' nursing program in which all classes are online with the exception of one day for clinical study. in this regard, i am responsible for purchasing my own microscope, slides, and stains. the instructor guides the student through the course, and, if you don't get it, you don't pass. i have included his email sent to me below; it contains class information, his bio, etc... i suggest you give it a read and explore the links.

is this a title four school that accepts financial aid?

yes!

is there a set time to go online & have class , or is this done on my own time where i'm simply require to meet assignment due dates testing deadlines?

thus far the schedules i have had are a combination of both. there has been a great deal of interaction with the instructors throughout the week (m-su), and assignments are do an various days throughout the week. if we miss the deadline, it's our own fault. the only musts are checking into class on monday, participating in the discussions assigned, etc. keep in mind, there are people literally across the globe taking the courses, so there's flexibility with time line by a day or so in each direction. as mentioned, i hold two degrees and have been a slave to college for a loooong time! i thought i would completely hate online learning - i knew i would. and now, i wouldn't have it any other way! i love meeting my classmates from all over the world, i really like the personal attention from instructors, i love the flexibility (i have a 2-yr old)... and, anyway, you get the idea! it is the way to go if you're able!! remember also, if you can find community colleges in il that offer the distance courses you need, you don't have to pay out-of-state tuition!

tia for any help you provide. i will continue to investigate this institution & hopefully find the answers to my questions

you are so welcome! i have given you a ton of information here, and hopefully have helped a few others in the process... good luck!!! see dr. brown's email to me, below:

" microbiology online - biol 232 dl3 at ocean county college is open for registration!

i will be teaching the microbiology biol 232 dl3 course totally online in the fall semester september 8th, 2009 - december 23, 2009.

you must purchase a labpaq and microscope with the oil immersion lens for the laboratory part of the course.

the digital eyepiece camera adapter is highly recommended but nor required. it make send your lab reports with digital images a breeze!

registering for the course from out of state:

if you have specific questions about registering from out-of-state you should contact the registration and records office at 732.255.0304. remind them that you are from another state!

i think you will find it a fun course and one in which you will learn a lot about microorganisms you will encounter in today's clinical environment.

if you need to get in touch you may use my home phone for the month of august since i will be off from school.

home phone: 732 774-3480.

hope to see you online!

jim brown

dr. jim brown

associate professor of science

ocean county college

college drive, p.o. box 2001

toms river, nj 08754-2001

732 255-0400 ext 2446"

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.

I did mine through ccconline. Great school and accredited as well.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hautemilque,

I just finished my summer 5 week online microbiology course at Ocean County College and I am in love with the course and the professor. I agree, it is outstanding and the professor even calls you up if you need help with the labs and he walks you through it.

If you are afraid of microbiology, and need some handholding, this is the course for you. Even though it was 5 weeks you never felt intense pressure. I didn't have any other courses so I did Microbiology at night or early morning and then hit the beach. What a summer!

It was totally enjoyable and I learned alot. He focuses on clinical microbiology so you will learn all the bugs in the hospital but not horrible stuff like microbial genertics. He really prepares you for the hospital environment.

You have to register quickly when the class is open. Don't wait because his classes close quickly.

Thanks

Gorley Gal

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi, Professor Jim

I am in CA. I want to take Microbilogy, but I had hard time to register with ocean county college. I called the registration, no one ever picked up the phone. It's confused that if I can register online or must through mail/phone?

I plan on taking 2010 summer first week session, 5/24-6/29.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you very much for the information. I will probably take it. I would have to purchase the micorscope on

e-bay. I just wonder if the nursing school I would like to apply to will accept those credit's. They deal with only one college, and there picky where they will accept the credit's from. They want all the pre-req etc from that particular college. They even told me not to take the medical terminology anywhere else because;, the final test can only be taken at there campus. This is all new to me. I hope that make's sense.

Thank you.

:heartbeat

hautemilque said:
Hi all, I cross posted this in the Distance Learning forum as well:

...just wanted to let those of you who might be looking for an online microbiology class that there are a few seats left (as of this morning, Tuesday) at Ocean Community College (www.ocean.edu). You have to purchase your own microscope, but on ebay you can get a used one, etc... Anyway, the instructor is quite renown (and very cool!), and is eager to take on as many students as he's able...

So, if you need it, apply and register soon!

...another micro class I found during my research is through edukan (www.edukan.org). The community colleges of Kansas create an umbrella of online classes called edukan, and they offer some wonderful classes also (many with an 8 week option, such as the micro class which begins in Oct.). VERY easy to work with in regard to application and registration. Just call the main edukan number and the woman there is AMAZING.

Both of the above micro classes/institutions are ENTIRELY accredited!

Good luck! If you have questions, feel free to email me! :yeah:

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

i also took micro through ccconline and thought it was great. they send you at-home lab materials (i.e. bacteria to culture on petri dishes) instead of having you going through a virtual/online lab. ccconline.org. i have been accepted into nursing schools already, so obviously, the credits transferred :)

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Does ocean community college have proctored test? And does edukan have proctored test?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment