When choosing an online microbiology course, it is important to consider whether it meets educational requirements, is regionally accredited, has a laboratory component, and offers adequate assessment and instructor support. Class size and accessibility of the instructor should also be taken into account.
Online microbiology courses are offered at many different educational levels and vary greatly in the amount of work required to complete a course. The courses also have big differences in price and quality. Unless a person is taking a microbiology course simply for the love of learning, the most important consideration in choosing an online microbiology course is whether the course will meet the requirements for the overarching educational objective. In most cases, the overall educational goal for a student pursuing an online microbiology course is to transfer to a health sciences program such as registered nursing, licensed practical nursing, or laboratory technology.
To minimize issues with course transfer, any online course a student is considering must be taken at a regionally accredited institution. Additionally, most health science programs want major science courses such as microbiology to include a laboratory component. This is more difficult, but not impossible, to find in an online microbiology course. There are certain activities usually involved in a microbiology laboratory that are not available in distance learning. For example, culturing bacteria is common practice in the microbiology laboratory, but it is not considered a safe activity at home.
Some schools solve this problem by offering only the class work portion of the microbiology course online. The student is required to complete the lab component at a local school. This somewhat dampens the convenience of the online option. Other schools offer in-home labs, providing rental microscopes and sending students pre-fixed slides for viewing. This might be a better choice for a student who can’t travel to a local school, although it will likely add a bit to the tuition fee.
Another factor students should consider when choosing an online microbiology course is the method the school uses to assess knowledge. Some schools use an online testing system, often designed to preclude extensive use of other materials. Other schools require students to find their own tutor and take an online test with a tutor. This can considerably increase the amount of time away from home required for the course; therefore, it may not be a good fit for students with little flexibility in their schedules.
Finally, when choosing an online microbiology course, the student should inquire about the number of students in the online class. While a large class can be difficult for the student who needs the extra help in a traditional classroom, it is even more of an impediment to learning with online education. Also ask if the instructor will only be available via email or phone. Ideally, a good online microbiology course will provide an instructor that the student can ask for help or ask questions during normal business hours.
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