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).
- A suggested program of study is as follows:
- Take ONE of the following options:
- Take 2 courses:
- OR take 2 courses:
- BIOL 225, Anatomy and Physiology - 4 hours
- BIOL 226, Anatomy and Physiology - 4 hours
- Take all of the following:
- BIOL 211GS, Human Microbiology - 4 hours
- 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 - 3 hours
- CHEM 351L, Biochemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
- 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 101, Introduction to Academic Writing - 3 hours
- ENG 102GS, Academic Writing and Research - 3 hours
- MATH 102GS**, 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 103GS, Plane Trigonometry - 3 hours
- MATH 115, Calculus I with Analytic Geometry - 5 hours
- PHYS 205GS, General Physics I - 4 hours
- PHYS 205LGS, Physics I Laboratory - 1 hour
- PHYS 206GS, General Physics II - 4 hours
- PHYS 206LGS, Physics Laboratory II - 1 hour
- PSY 203GS, General Psychology - 3 hours
- SPCH 100GS, Fundamentals of Speech Communication - 3 hours
- STAT 241GS, 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
- Strongly recommended:
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.)
