Offered by Health Science Programs

Pre-Optometry

The requirements for admission to colleges of optometry vary. However, in all colleges emphasis is placed on mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. Some colleges of optometry require additional courses, such as psychology, social sciences, literature, philosophy and foreign language. A minimum of three years of pre-optometric study is required but in most cases a baccalaureate degree*** should be completed before matriculating into a college of optometry. Admission to an affiliated school is very competitive and not guaranteed.

The colleges of optometry welcome inquiries concerning program planning. The student should write to the college of optometry of his or her choice for its specific requirements.

The State of Nebraska, concerned with providing an educational opportunity in optometry as well as adequate optometric manpower, has contracted with the following professional schools of optometry to ensure available space and/or provide for partial tuition remission for qualified applicants.

College of Optometry, University of Houston
School of Optometry, Indiana University
College of Optometry, Ohio State University
Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Philadelphia, PA
Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, TN
A suggested program of study is as follows:
Take ONE of the following options:
Take 2 courses:
BIOL 103GS, General Biology - 4 hours
BIOL 215GS, Human Physiology - 4 hours (Prereq: A college Biology course)
OR take 2 courses:
BIOL 225, Anatomy and Physiology - 4 hours (Prereq: CHEM 145 or CHEM 150 or CHEM 160; three years of high school science including biology and a minimum score of 20 on the ACT or equivalent or a college science course)
BIOL 226, Anatomy and Physiology - 4 hours
Take all of the following:
BIOL 400, Microbiology - 4 hours (Prereq: 8 hours of Biology)
BIOL 465, Physiology - 3 hours (Prereq: BIOL 107GS, BIOL 309, CHEM 161GS, CHEM 161LGS and organic chemistry)
CHEM 160GS, General Chemistry - 3 hours   (see prerequisites)
CHEM 160LGS, General Chemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
CHEM 161GS, General Chemistry - 3 hours
CHEM 161LGS, General Chemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
CHEM 351, Biochemistry - 4 hours
CHEM 360*, Organic Chemistry - 4 hours
CHEM 360L*, Organic Chemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
CHEM 361*, Organic Chemistry - 4 hours
CHEM 361L*, Organic Chemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
* Some colleges of optometry will accept CHEM 250 in lieu of CHEM 360 & 361
MATH 102**, College Algebra - 3 hours
MATH 103, Plane Trigonometry - 3 hours
MATH 115, Calculus I with Analytical Geometry - 5 hours
STAT 241, Elementary Statistics - 3 hours
PHYS 205GS, General Physics - 5 hours
PHYS 206GS, General Physics - 5 hours
PSY 203GS, General Psychology - 3 hours
ENG 101GS, Expository Writing I - 3 hours
ENG 102GS, Expository Writing II - 3 hours
SPCH 100GS, Fundamentals of Speech Communication - 3 hours
ENG 250-254GS, Literature - 3 hours
Foreign Language may be required, - 8 hours
**Students with sufficient preparation may enter the mathematics program at a higher level.
Strongly recommended:
FCSC 110GS, Introduction to Nutrition - 3 hours

Students should check with the specific school(s) to which they intend to apply to ensure that all requirements are fulfilled.

***Students pursuing a program of study in pre-optometry are expected to choose a major so that they can be working towards a baccalaureate degree concurrently with the pre-optometry program. This requires a major/minor combination or a comprehensive major as well as completion of the UNK general studies requirements and other degree requirements as set forth in the college catalog. (Students who are accepted into optometry school prior to completing a baccalaureate degree at UNK may be eligible to receive a BS degree in Health Science if they have completed all General Studies requirements and have at least 90 semester hours completed in pre-opt studies.)

16 May 2005

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