Offered by Health Science Programs

Pre-Optometry

The requirements for admission to colleges of optometry vary. A suggested program of study is listed below, but the student should check with the college of optometry of his/her choice for its specific requirements. A minimum of three years (90 hours) of pre-optometric study is required. However, in most cases a baccalaureate degree*** should be completed before matriculating into a college of optometry, especially since admission to a optometry school is not guaranteed. The student is also expected to submit scores from the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT).

The State of Nebraska, concerned with providing an educational opportunity in optometry as well as adequate optometric staffing, has contracted with the following professional schools of optometry to ensure available space and/or provide for partial tuition remission for qualified applicants. Nebraska residents who wish to pursue a degree in optometry may apply for financial assistance through a contract program between the University of Nebraska and seven optometry schools nationwide. Up to 15 students per year are awarded a contract seat to help offset tuition at these Colleges of Optometry (with number of seats available):

• University of Houston College of Optometry, Houston, TX (2)
• Indiana School of Optometry, Bloomington, IN (3)
• University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry, St. Louis MO (1)
• Northeastern State University College of Optometry, Tahlequah, OK (1)
• Pacific University College of Optometry, Forest Grove, OR (1)
• Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Philadelphia, PA (2)
• Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, TN (3)
• 2 seats are available at large at the seven contract institutions.

1. 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 one of the following:
     • BIOL 211, Human Microbiology - 4 hours
     • BIOL 400, Microbiology - 4 hours (Prereq: 8 hours of Biology)
   • Take all of the following:
     • 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 & CHEM 361
     • MATH 102**, College Algebra - 3 hours
     • MATH 103, Plane Trigonometry - 3 hours
     • MATH 115, Calculus I with Analytic 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 (Prereq: ENG 100A or English ACT score of 15 or above)
     • ENG 102GS, Expository Writing II - 3 hours (Prereq: ENG 101GS or ACT English score of 30 or above)
     • SPCH 100GS, Fundamentals of Speech Communication - 3 hours
     • ENG 250-254GS, Literature - 3 hours
     • **Students with sufficient preparation may enter the mathematics program at a higher level, however some schools do require two courses in mathematics. Most schools require a course in calculus.
2. Strongly recommended:
   • FSID 110GS, Introduction to Nutrition - 3 hours
   • BIOL 465, Physiology - 3 hours (Prereq: BIOL 105GS or BIOL 106GS; and BIOL 309 and CHEM 161, CHEM 161L and organic chemistry)

Students should check with the specific school(s) to which they intend to apply to ensure that all requirements are fulfilled. Requirements vary among schools, especially in regard to mathematics, microbiology, and general biology. Some schools also require additional electives in the social and behavioral sciences.

***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.)