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
     • OR take 2 courses:
       • BIOL 225, Anatomy and Physiology - 4 hours
       • BIOL 226, Anatomy and Physiology - 4 hours
   • Take one of the following:
     • BIOL 211GS, Human Microbiology - 4 hours
     • BIOL 400, Microbiology - 4 hours
   • Take all of the following:
     • CHEM 160GS, General Chemistry - 3 hours
     • 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
     • ENG 101GS, Expository Writing I - 3 hours
     • ENG 102GS, Expository Writing II - 3 hours
     • MATH 102**, College Algebra - 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.
     • MATH 103, Plane Trigonometry - 3 hours
     • MATH 115, Calculus I with Analytic Geometry - 5 hours
     • PHYS 205GS, General Physics - 5 hours
     • PHYS 206GS, General Physics - 5 hours
     • PSY 203GS, General Psychology - 3 hours
     • SPCH 100GS, Fundamentals of Speech Communication - 3 hours
     • STAT 241, Elementary Statistics - 3 hours
   • Take 3 hours from:
     • ENG 250GS, Introduction to Literature: British Literature - 3 hours
     • ENG 251GS, Introduction to Literature: American Literature - 3 hours
     • ENG 252GS, Introduction to Literature: Western Civilization - 3 hours
     • ENG 253GS, Introduction to Literature: Non-Western Civilization - 3 hours
     • ENG 254GS, Introduction to Literature: Special Topics - 3 hours
2. Strongly recommended:
   • BIOL 465, Physiology - 3 hours (Prereq: BIOL 105GS or BIOL 106GS; BIOL 309; CHEM 161GS; organic chemistry OR permission of instructor)
   • FSID 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. 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.)