Below is a listing of coursework you will need to have completed before you enter the program. You may apply while still taking these pre-requisite courses. However, any course noted below with an asterisk (*) you will want to complete prior to taking the admission test for optometry, the Optometry Admission Test or the “OAT”. Additionally, the tested material differs from our requirements, notes about these are in parenthesis and notes are listed below. Please refer to FAQ section. (use link here)
All pre-requisite course work must be taken for a grade and must be recorded on a transcript of an institution of higher learning. Please refer to FAQ section. (link)
Our faculty members have some recommendations about other coursework you may wish to consider taking prior to admission. These are noted below under Recommended Courses.
Sciences
One semester (or two quarters) General Biology with a Lab*(1)
One semester (or two quarters) Microbiology with a Lab
One semester (or two quarters) of any other biology with a Lab
Two semesters (or three quarters) of General Chemistry (inorganic chemistry) both with Labs*
One semester (or two quarters) of Organic Chemistry with Lab*(2)
Two semesters (or three quarters) of Physics with Lab*
Mathematics
One semester (or one quarter) Calculus
One semester (or one quarter) Statistics
One semester (or one quarter) Trigonometry*
Nonsciences
Two semesters (or two quarters) English (courses taught by English, or cross-listed with English in the course bulletin)
Two semesters (or two quarters) Psychology (courses taught by Psychology, or cross listed with Psychology in the course bulletin)
Two semesters (or two quarters) of any two other non-science courses
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* this material is tested on the OAT
(1) a full year of general biology is tested on the OAT
(2) a full year of organic chemistry is tested on the OAT
Recommended Preparatory Coursework
These courses are strongly recommended in order to better prepare you for the rigors of professional school.
Biochemistry
Anatomy (Human, Vertebrate or Comparative)
Physiology (Human, Vertebrate or Comparative)
Cell Biology (or Cell Structure/Function)
Pathology
