University of Nebraska at Kearney

1996-98 UNK Undergraduate Catalog

Offered by Health Science Programs

PRE-OPTOMETRY

The colleges of optometry also 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

BIOL 226, Anatomy and Physiology - 4 hours

Take all of the following:

BIOL 400, Microbiology - 5 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

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 250-4GS, 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 (Prereq: CHEM 145GS or CHEM 150GS)

There are additional course requirements which vary with each optometry school or college. Consult the Health Programs Office for specific requirements.

***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.)