Natural Sciences or Biology - Possible?

[Dan A Million]

Hello. This is my first thread - I have done a lot of searches on this, but still have a few questions.

Background: just starting out taking general cheap and free classes - have 36 credits completed so far.

I really want to pursue Environmental Science or Biology, but it looks like this is hard to do. Excelsior has Natural Sciences, and TESU has Biology, but I am not sure there are enough classes to be found online to satisfy the requirements. Also, I realize that graduate schools may not accept you if you didn't take labs in person. (Is it possible to take just the labs at a local CC and be alright?)

TESU has BALS with concentration in Natural Sciences/Mathematics but I am not sure this degree will hold weight with employers in the field...

I may be able to take a couple classes through the school's online courses, but obviously trying to save as much money that I don't have as possible. Unfortunately I am allergic to business and tech stuff, and my other passions (History, Religion, culture Anthropology) are about as good as firestarters, so Ive heard. Some might have the same objections with Env Sci, idk...

If anybody has gone this route with Biology or Natural Sciences, I would love to hear some tips, maybe this will help others too.
Thanks a bunch
-Dan

[Ideas]

Sanantone found more inexpensive science courses through Logan University and there are many self-paced courses with labs at UNE.

Personally I think the NSM would not be considered nearly the same. Or COSC's concentration in Biology. TESU also has Environmental Studies, but that is not the same as Environmental Science.

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I think Biology generally takes longer to complete than ES. American Public University has Environmental Science. It is not self-paced.

[Dan A Million]

Sanantone found more inexpensive science courses through Logan University and there are many self-paced courses with labs at UNE.

Personally I think the NSM would not be considered nearly the same. Or COSC's concentration in Biology. TESU also has Environmental Studies, but that is not the same as Environmental Science.

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I think Biology generally takes longer to complete than ES. American Public University has Environmental Science. It is not self-paced.

Thanks for the reply!
Ah, yes I forgot to mention the Env Studies degree - yeah the problem is its not a science degree... It would be cool to be an activist but Id rather have a science degree first.

I am still a bit confused about labs - thats good to know that Logan U has cheaper science courses than Excelsior/TESU (Im assuming thats what you mean), but I thought most grad schools want the labs in person - bricknmortar style... (Im in Seattle, so...)

Good to know about American Public U, with 90 transfer in credits, that leaves only 30 to take there at 270 per credit thats like 8 grand. Sounds like thats just a few more grand than an average transfer-in degree from TESU or Excelsior?

[Ideas]

Well, depends on the school. Some medical schools will even take online labs (especially through a good place like UNE). But are you looking at a competitive grad school? Then generally you will want to avoid online labs.

Sometimes pre-med students take their labs at community colleges and explain to the admissions officer that they did it to save money. However, they will be suspected of doing it to boost their GPA.

What you said about the cost sounds right.

[Dan A Million]

Ok cool. I am not necessarily trying to get into a competitive grad school, I am just trying to look out for my future if I do decide to go to grad school. I have read that this issue has deterred people from pursuing an online degree in sciences and health for that reason.

I would love to hear from somebody who has successfully gone this route, however I am not sure that person exists on this forum...

[ROYISAGIRL]

I'm currently on the same path as you right now

[Dan A Million]

I'm currently on the same path as you right now

Good to hear. How far along are you? Have you found a program that works for you?

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American Public University will accept 90 transfer in credits, but only 60 of them can be "non-traditional." So that would mean something more like $16,000 than 8...
Does anybody know of schools with online classes who take more than that?


From their website:
https://www.apu.apus.edu/admissions/tran...raditional

"90 academic credits toward a bachelor’s degree (up to 60 non-traditional credits)"

"“Non-traditional” transfer credits are those earned based on assessment, competency testing (i.e. CLEP or ACE exams), prior learning experience, military occupations, or industry training courses."

[ROYISAGIRL]

I had to choose which programs were the best for what I needed. Right now TESU's Environmental Studies and Excelsior's Natural science with bio concentration meets the needs of the program I'm trying to get into at a later time. APUS can be a little weird with that, but I think in my case when I initially chose them that military credits seem to be treated a little differently.

[Dan A Million]

I see. So you are still trying to decide between the 3 schools then?

[ROYISAGIRL]

No I couldn't decide between TESU and Excelsior so I'm doing both. Sounds a little crazy but the Environmental courses from Excelsior transfer over to TESU. So it kind of balances out.