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OPTOMETRY
(Pre-professional program)
Coordinator: M. Wanous
While several optometry schools admit students after their junior year, many require that applicants obtain their Bachelor’s degrees prior to admission. Most pre-optometry students choose to major in biology, but a student may choose to major in any discipline. While optometry schools look favorably upon an undergraduate record rich in challenging science courses, they also look for a balance between science courses and courses in the humanities and social sciences. Optometry schools expect that applicants have a thorough understanding of and commitment to the profession. Students are encouraged to learn about the optometry profession and patient care through internships, volunteer experiences and employment.
Most optometry schools have specific admission requirements. A student interested in a career in optometry
should identify the schools in which he or she is interested as early as possible. Pre-optometry students should
then consult with their advisors and the coordinator on a regular basis to discuss course selection and optometry
school application procedures.
Optometry schools select students on the basis of 1) undergraduate academic performance; 2) OAT (Optometry
Admission Test) scores; 3) letters of evaluation from professors and other professional people; and 4) a personal
interview (most programs). Admission to optometry school is competitive.
Suggested Pre-Optometry Program of Study: These are general admission requirements. Students should refer to
specific admissions guidelines for each optometry school and consult with their academic advisor and the
Coordinator.
BIOL 120 - Biological Principles I (4 cr)
BIOL 121 - Biological Principles II (4 cr)
BIOL 150 - Human Anatomy (4 cr)
BIOL 225 - Human Physiology (4 cr)
BIOL 250 - Introductory Microbiology (4 cr)
– OR –
BIOL 344 - Microbiology (4 cr)
BIOL 354 - Biological Chemistry (3-4 cr)
CHEM 120 - Introduction to Chemistry (4 cr)
CHEM 135 - Inorganic Qualitative Analysis (4 cr)
CHEM 145 - Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry (4 cr)
– OR –
CHEM 201 - Organic Chemistry I (4 cr)
PHYS 201 - Physics for Life Sciences I (4 cr)
– AND –
PHYS 202 - Physics for Life Sciences II (4 cr)
– OR –
PHYS 221 - General Physics I (4 cr)
– AND –
PHYS 222 - General Physics II (4 cr)
MATH 151 - Calculus I (4 cr)
ENGL 110 - First-Year Composition (4 cr)
ENGL 200 - The Literary Experience (W) (3 cr)
PSYC 115 - General Psychology (3 cr)
PSYC 270 - Statistics (4 cr)
Other recommended courses for some schools include work in Business/Accounting, Computer Science, Communication Studies, Sociology, as well as additional Psychology courses.