Pre-Optometry Pathway (39-43 Math/Science Credits)
The pre-requisites for optometry schools can vary. Students should determine the specific requirements for the optometry schools they wish to apply to. Most optometry schools require the following courses:
- BIO103/BIO104 General Biology I & II
- CHE110/CHE111 General Chemistry I & II
- CHE210/CHE211 Organic Chemistry I & II
- PHY120/PHY121 General Physics I & II(not calculus based) OR
PHY110/PHY111 General Physics I & II (calculus based, required for some majors)
- MAT115 or MAT120 Biostatistics or Statistics
- MAT 170/171 Calculus I with Review OR MAT181 Calculus I. Two semesters of calculus are required for some schools.
- 1 year of college English or equivalent including writing intensive courses (General Education)
- PSY100 Introduction to Psychology
Other recommended and/or required courses:
Other requirements:
Shadowing an optometrist is expected.
The OAT (optometry admissions test) is required for applicants to optometry school, and includes a survey of general biology, chemistry, and organic chemistry, reading comprehension, physics, and quantitative reasoning.
Grades:
GPA’s of students enrolled in optometry school range from 3.2-3.5.
Pre-Optometry Pathway Sample Four Year Plan
Fall 1
WRT101 Composition I (FY)
MAT170 Calculus with Review or MAT181 Calculus I (QR)*
BIO103 General Biology I (SI)
CHE110 General Chemistry I (SI)
Spring 1
Writing Intensive (WI)
MAT171 Calculus I with Review OR MAT115 Biostatistics OR MAT120 Stats (QR)
BIO104 General Biology II
CHE111 General Chemistry II
Fall 2
COM162 Public Speaking (OC)
Foreign Language I (IC)
CHE210 Organic Chemistry I
Major Course(IL)
Gen Ed (HW)
Spring 2
PSY100 Intro to Psychology
Foreign Language II (IC)
CHE211 Organic Chemistry II
Major Course
Gen Ed (CT)
Fall 3
Major Course
Major Course
BIO105 Anatomy & Physiology I
PHY110 or PHY120 General Physics I
SOC100 Intro to Sociology
Spring 3
Major Course
Major Course
BIO106 Anatomy & Physiology II
PHY111 or PHY121 General Physics II
BIO216 Microbiology
Fall 4
CHE421 Biochemistry Lecture
Major Course
Major Course
Major Course
Major Course (W3 & CGE)
Spring 4
Gen Ed (CP)
Major
Major
Major OR Free Elective
Free Elective OR MAT115 or MAT120 Statistics
*Students who did not take pre-calculus in high school are encouraged to take MAT133 Pre-calculus during the summer prior to the start of this program.
Taking multiple lab sciences in a semester can be very challenging. You may wish to reduce your course load and take some courses in the summer. Speak with your advisor about this possibility.