What Are Virtual Biology Programs?
Confused by the term 'virtual biology'? Don't be. It's simply a term that describes a different approach to learning biology. Continue reading below to find out what virtual biology is, and why you might be interested in it. Schools offering Anatomy & Physiology degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
What Will I Learn in a Virtual Biology Program?
The material taught in a virtual biology program is no different from a traditional biology program. Rather, the difference is that virtual biology programs are offered 'at a distance', whether it be from one of your school's computer labs or from your own home computer. In your classes, you'll learn about phenotypes, genotypes, chromatography and electrophoresis. You'll learn some basic things, too, such as cell structure and reproduction, meiosis, ecology and plant evolution. You might also study topics relevant to biological research, such as graphing and statistics.
How Will I Know What to Do in the Online Biology Laboratory?
You'll most likely log in to a system that'll show you what to do step by step, starting with how to use a microscope. Some schools have preset experiments in their virtual labs, so all you'd need to do is focus on collecting and analyzing data. Additionally, your lab might be set up so that if you make a mistake, you can keep trying until you get it right. Any materials you need to perform your experiments will be provided in the virtual laboratory, too, including several types of microscopes and equipment and data for studying genetics, ecology, systematics and microbiology.
Will I Need to Meet Any Requirements Before Enrolling in a Virtual Biology Program?
It depends on the way the school offers the course. Some will require you to take the course in one of the school's computer labs, so you won't need to meet any technical requirements beforehand. For schools that let you take the course from your own home computer, you'll need to make sure you've got just the right software and hardware. If you own a PC, for example, you'll need a recent version of a Windows operating system and a Pentium processor.
If you own a Mac, you could probably use any version of OS X. Also, you'll probably need a PowerPC processor. Regardless of the type of computer you own, you'll most likely need video-viewing software such as QuickTime to view demonstrations and other interactive course materials.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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