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
