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online sci. course to boost gpa??
Started by karizma098
I think he means online courses offered by his actual university. I think mine offers some, but I am not sure nor do I know anything about them. I would imagine that they are just as hard as the regular classes. The school does have to keep its academic standards up, so I would not expect and easier course.
karizma098 said:
Question--how did you find out that you may be able to take some courses online? was it the advice of someone at your school? I've had similar questions--but here is my situation:
I am trying to find out any information I can on this topic:
I have already taken my pre-med requirements, however I needed to retake my Gen Chem I and Orgo I and II again. On my transcript, our lab grades were calculated sepearately from the lecture portion of the course, and I did really good in the lab portions of the class, but I needed to retake the lecture portion again.
My quesion is--since my schedule is very difficult during the week with work, and an unpredictable schedule, I wanted to try and take an online Biochem course (same content as for science majors) for at least one of the classes. I haven't figured out what I will do for the Gen Chem course yet, but I wanted to find out if or which medical schools would accept an online course for 1-2 classes that may need to be retaken. I have taken other upper level science courses while in undergrad and grad school, and did well in those, I just needed to revamp 1-2 classes for the prerequisites for medical school.
Any help that you could provide would be helpful. I know this is a new concept, but I know some people chewed my head off in other forums when I even remotely suggested this could be an additional option for those who want to pursue their career goals no matter what.
I think this is a great thread
I'm in the exact same boat. Want to retake some classes/get grades for classes I skipped in college (Chem I, Cell bio, Calc I & 2, intro genetics, basic stats, maybe even intro french I and II) all because of AP. I have a 3.1, but some A's would go a long way right now... specially if the online class offered like a instant final right where if you took it and passed you get an A or something.
I'm in the exact same boat. Want to retake some classes/get grades for classes I skipped in college (Chem I, Cell bio, Calc I & 2, intro genetics, basic stats, maybe even intro french I and II) all because of AP. I have a 3.1, but some A's would go a long way right now... specially if the online class offered like a instant final right where if you took it and passed you get an A or something.
chewsnuffles said:
I will say that right now I am taking a Biochemistry course online (through a community college locally), and it is no joke. First, we have discussion questions we have to post and answer within a certain time period, second we have quizzes that we have to complete when it is first assigned, and we just had our first test on Monday. We had to write up our answers/calculations, then send it to the professor, and it took him a few days, but he graded the tests, gave feedback on what was incorrect etc. It's intense, I don't know if it's because we have to cram so much in by July 28th. (it started June 5). It takes the professor a few days to post our grades since we have to send him our homework, then he grades it. However, the quizzes, you get instant feedback (i.e, a grade, and you can see what you did wrong)
I think it's a good class, I feel like I am learning, not to mention, it is a helpful review for the MCAT. I just wish I knew how everyone felt about this, and what you all think the future of pre-medicine will be since it seems the shift is going to "online everything". I mean, even the MCAT will be computer-based next year, which tells you something is changing in the way we think about traditional education.
Check out http://www.ccconline.org. It is mostly lower division (community college) courses, but they offer every single prereq plus some other sci/math as well. They don't have a biochem course other than the nursing biochem, but I know a few other schools offer that one online - I think one of them is UMaryland, but I don't remember for sure. The advantage of going thru ccconline is that the transcript doesn't indicate that it's an online course. You get a transcript from whatever home school you end up applying to (There's like 11 different schools - mostly Colorado Comm. Colleges and Jr. Colleges - to choose from.), you can also take any online sections that are offered by your home school as well, and they are starting a new thing where you can actually sign up for any class that is part of the community college system regardless of what school you applied to and get your transcript from. They use the same numbering system as the regular classes. Finally ccconline classes are a flat rate of $216.40/credit hour whether in-state or out.
I took most of my core classes through this, and am now doing a programming certificate plus calc 3, diff eq, micro, and tech writing over the next 3 semesters. They are not at-your-own-pace where you can sign up and just take the final and be done or take a year and a half to complete the requirements. They are 15 week courses for fall and spring, 10 weeks for summer, and you have weekly requirements that you have to do including discussions, homework, quizzes, and exams. I'm currently taking 16 credits - java, c programming, tech writing, calc 3, and intro to pc applications (ie. office), and it's definitely not easy to keep up with everything. For all of my classes, the tests and quizzes are open book, but that doesn't make them any easier - some have time limits, some don't, my calc 3 exams are b%^ches but at least for those we get to take them twice and the higher grade counts. The nice thing is that my teachers are all conscientious and get our homework back to us quickly after we submit it, and all the exams and quizzes for my classes are instant feedback.
If you're looking for an easy way out, online classes aren't the way to go, but if you're just looking for flexible time slots to do the work, then online classes are a great solution (especially if the transcript doesn't indicate they are online because unfortunately there is still a major stigma and a few schools don't accept normal online credits).
Good luck! If you have any questions just PM me.
I took most of my core classes through this, and am now doing a programming certificate plus calc 3, diff eq, micro, and tech writing over the next 3 semesters. They are not at-your-own-pace where you can sign up and just take the final and be done or take a year and a half to complete the requirements. They are 15 week courses for fall and spring, 10 weeks for summer, and you have weekly requirements that you have to do including discussions, homework, quizzes, and exams. I'm currently taking 16 credits - java, c programming, tech writing, calc 3, and intro to pc applications (ie. office), and it's definitely not easy to keep up with everything. For all of my classes, the tests and quizzes are open book, but that doesn't make them any easier - some have time limits, some don't, my calc 3 exams are b%^ches but at least for those we get to take them twice and the higher grade counts. The nice thing is that my teachers are all conscientious and get our homework back to us quickly after we submit it, and all the exams and quizzes for my classes are instant feedback.
If you're looking for an easy way out, online classes aren't the way to go, but if you're just looking for flexible time slots to do the work, then online classes are a great solution (especially if the transcript doesn't indicate they are online because unfortunately there is still a major stigma and a few schools don't accept normal online credits).
Good luck! If you have any questions just PM me.
Skaterbabe74 said:
Thank you for the advice. Are you applying to school now? I think you mentioned in your post that you are getting a programming certificate. If so, how has the process been going for you so far?
Yes, I agree there is still a stigma there with online courses. The only reason I would suggest it is if you have ALL of your prerequisites pretty much complete, but you may need to a) boost your GPA or b) Retake a class that does not have a lab portion associated with it. In my case, that's the challenge--my college sepearate our chemistry labs, it wasn't just one grade that I received, so it was two different classes. The only thing is I need to redo my lecture portion of the class because I did well in the lab. That's why I was asking about online courses. Everything else I took in a traditional setting (physics, anatomy, phys, vertebrate structure, intro bio courses, chem II, orgo lab, orgo, etc)
I wish schools would begin to address this--for instance what schools would be okay with this? I'm sure they would have some standards about which classes could be taken online, but I guess we're still too early in the game to begin to think about this..
However, I beg to differ. I think we do need to talk about how everyone feels about this..Seriously--I want to know what other people think about this topic. With the way things are changing now, what's everyone's opinions. Come on, let's get some rich discussion going!
No I still have a few years left of undergrad. I'm non-trad, and my financial aid for my bachelors ran out but I could still get aid for the CC's so since I needed the comp sci for my physics minor (and the math and tech writing) I decided to do this while paying down my bill at my university.Dr.iz-n said:
FWIW I took all my prereqs at my university, but I really don't see the difference if you're doing an online course at a recognized institution (ie. not U of phoenix or something). I know the stigma is there, but I think in certain situations it would be ok - ie. nontrad working full-time, already have most of the prereqs or just retaking them, etc. Especially if you do them at a place where the online doesn't show up on the transcript or is recognized by a different numbering system (ie. Berkeley Online).
Should you do prereqs online if there is any other way to do them? Probably not. But if that is the only possible way to get them, then I think most schools would understand. Another thread has talked about the few schools that don't accept any online credits at all, but those are the ones that are actually delinate between online and brick and mortar classes on the transcript. I also think that in the next few years we'll see this attitude changing as more and more ivy league and not ivy league universities offer online courses. It's the wave of the future. You really don't get to "cheat" your way through anything - the classes aren't easier, the time involved is often more because there's more busy work, and you really are on your own to learn the material without the help of school-sponsered tutors or help centers.
At least that's how I see the future playing out.
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Skaterbabe74 said:
OMG THANKS. I have all my pre-req's done and I just need A's!!! Got the 34S, but my GPA needs a shot of steroids. I'm gonna do this, haha! Anyone wanna look at my app and see if it ISN'T a good idea??? Thanks alot.
chewsnuffles said:
IMO online classes can sometimes be more difficult than if you would have taken the same class in a classroom setting. To me it seemed as if much more of the work is subjective (I hate subjectively graded work), and tests more difficult since tests are open book. Try retaking any classes you did not do well in (C or lower) for whatever reason, and just rock them.
BTW, congrats on that killer MCAT score!
chewsnuffles said:
Just my two cents, but I think that a strong MCAT would be necessary if you took all online courses. There's a stigma there because the old online courses all used to be cake, and some still are. I would imagine that if your course(s) is/are administered through a certified college or university then that would be OK, but not all online programs are. Also, I agree with one of the above posts that taking the courses from a "brick and mortar" school vs. completely virtual would be a good idea, though if the virutal school is accredited maybe it doesn't matter? The whole open book exam/quiz thing with online courses is weird to me. I mean, Orgo I and II gets ALOT easier if you can just look up the rules for particular reactions...maybe there are courses that are online except for exams and/or finals and midterms? That would be a good idea. I would think if you can't organize 2-6 days to be in a room for an exam over 3-4 months then something's wrong.
I do not think aacomas would know if you took an online course from your undergrad university. I have taken 2 online math courses and some other random online courses from my university and they show up on my transcript without any indication that they were taken online. In fact, when you register for them, they are listed identically to "traditional classes" except that the location (room # and building) is listed as TBD. I prefer online classes in some subjects because it is self paced and there is no attendance requirement. I would be nervous about taking online classes in subjects I was not comfortable with though, although your teacher is always an e-mail away.
Skaterbabe74 said:
Good points--I definitely think that if you take the classes at a school that is not a virtual unversity, but either a college or community college, it should be okay. More and more schools are offering things online, and I agree that the classes aren't any easier. For me, personally, it makes me more motivated to learn it and understand it because I don't have the security of regular office hours, though I know my professor is always available answering questions--I've even sent him a question late (around 11:00pm), an lo and behold he wrote back within 30 minutes. I think it takes just as much work...Can you remember, or do you have the link for the schools that dont accept online credits? I think you mentioned that in your post.
AngryBaby said:
Hey--Actually with some of the online courses, (i.e., I had read some information about a General Biology I course), most of the material was online, HOWEVER, you had to have a proctor at a local college or university be present when you took the test and exam. Basically, if you took the course online, and when it came time to take the midterm or final, you would have to make sure you have talked to a representative at the university to make sure you can come to their school to take the test, then they would have to mail back the test to your instructor at whatever school you were attending. For instance, when I was doing research on this, I am in a suburb of Chicago, and the College of Dupage has a Testing and Assessment Center for people who need to take tests, or are in a distance learning class, and need to take quizzes, etc. The process is you have the professor send the test to the school, then the student calls the Center to see if there test arrived, and they come in and take the test. The professor has let the Center know how long the student should be given to take the test, etc. Then the Professor puts their address as to where the test should be sent back after you are finished, and they grade it.
Does this make sense? Basically, some courses you can't take the final or midterm online, you have to do it in person at a local university. It is just up to the student to find a college or school nearby which will be willing to watch you take the test (i.e., make sure you aren't cheatiing, or have notes in front of you), and that you take the required amount of time to take the test. I know some local libraries are willing to do this too.
I had to do some research before I thought about it more seriously because I understand there is that stigma out there. There's only 1 course I'm doing online right now (Biochemistry), but the tests ARE harder because it is online, that's for sure. This course didn't require a proctor when I took the test, but he makes the quizzes and tests harder because they are online.
Let me know if you have questions, just sharing information for everyone, and some food for thought....
I agree...not all online courses are set up with online quizzes/tests. Some do require you to go to campus or get a proctor for your exam/quizzes. I think pretty much everything at ccconline is set up so you don't need a proctor because ccc was originally set up for the distance ed residents of colorado (ie. military, rural, mtn people) but I've had other online courses where I did have to go to a campus to do quizzes/tests. For example, the Orgo II I almost took online at my university would have required coming in for the quizzes/exams, and I know College of DuPage requires a proctor for most of their quizzes/exams cuz I took Poli Sci that way many, many years ago, and if I had kept my home school section of Intro to Comp Applications I would have had to get a proctor. It's usually not that hard to set one up tho from a distance.AngryBaby said:
I'm taking Chemistry II(CHEM1212) online from a CC near my house beacuse my ugrad is renovating the chem department for the summer, and its cheap. I must say that it really is a joke. 50% of your grade comes from 4 exams. 20% comes from quizzes which you are allowed an unlimited number of attempts. Most of the questions on the tests come from the quizzes. 15% of the grade is a discussion average which you get just for posting on a forum much like SDN. Another 15% comes from assignments occaisonally given by the non-existent professor. So basically this class isn't remotely difficult. It's kind of disappointing to take a class that is really too easy. But hey, some people will probably make C's. This course transfers back to my ugrad as Chem II and I'm sure just shows up the same from the CC. I couldn't fit the regular class into my schedule so the online class was a last resort. I receive powerpoints from the professor and teach the material to myself, which I kind of enjoy doing. What really sucks is that I'm also taking the corresponding lab and I have to drive 2 hours round trip twice a week. Damn Atlanta traffic.
Dr.iz-n said:
Yeah I get what you're saying, and that sounds like a pretty good idea to me. Our physics professor never wanted to "waste" class time with tests so all our exams (xcept final) was taken in the on-campus testing ctr. I wouldn't see any problem with that as long as the courses are from an accredited school. Just make sure the accreditation is legit and not some organization made up by the school itself. This website has a list of all schools accredited by REPUTABLE accrediting organizations:
www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/
doesn't seem to be working at the moment but I've used it to check on online pgms for the family and it's pretty useful for that.
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