Pre-Optometry

Advisor: M. Blankenbuehler

The suggested pre-optometry program with a chemistry degree meets the requirements of most optometry schools; electives are chosen to meet the individual needs of individual students while providing excellent training in chemistry. In addition to chemistry courses, students take a variety of courses in biology, physics, business, social sciences and math to prepare for optometry school.  Optometry schools seek high academically achieving students but also those who score well on the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). Competitive applicants are also expected to have extensive volunteer, shadowing and/or work experiences in an optometry setting.  Excellent recommendations from the optometrist for which they worked/shadowed as well as chemistry and biology faculty are also important for the admissions process.  The vast majority of students complete a 4 year degree before entering optometry school.

Requirements

Core Courses

BIOL 171Principles of Biology

4

BIOL 210General Zoology

4

BIOL 317Principles of Microbiology

4

BIOL 337Comparative Anatomy

3

BIOL 425Animal Physiology

3

CHEM 111Principles of Chemistry I

4

CHEM 112Principles of Chemistry II

4

CHEM 301Fundamentals of Biochemistry

4

CHEM 326Organic Chemistry I

4

CHEM 327Organic Chemistry II

4

ENG 100Writing I

3

ENG 200Writing II

3

MATH 175Calculus I

4

MATH 353Statistics

3

PHYS 201Elementary Physics I

3

PHYS 201AElementary Physics I Lab

1

PHYS 202Elementary Physics II

3

PHYS 202AElementary Physics II Lab

1

PSY 154Introduction to Psychology

3

Social Science electives

6

Total Credit Hours:68

Additional recommended courses

BIOL 234Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology I

3

BIOL 235Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology II

3

BIOL 304Genetics

3

BIOL 380Cell Biology

3