Academics

Most optometry schools in the United States and Canada require similar prerequisite coursework for admissions. The Optometry Admissions Test (OAT), taken before application,also covers a broad range of topics.Pre-optometry students should work with aPMHSCadvisor to include the courses that both meet prerequisite requirements and teach OAT content into their plan of work.The courses listed below do not constitute a major nor minor.If you are looking for suggestions while choosing a major or minor, you might findthis blog article, "Students: How do I pick a major?" or list of minors.

Biology

One academic year with laboratory. One semester of microbiology. Additional, upper-level courses are recommended such as physiology, cellular biology, histology, immunology, and genetics

BIO 1500 and 1501 Basic Life Diversity 4 credits
BIO 1510 and 1511 Basic Life Mechanisms 4 credits
BIO 2270/2271 Microbiology 5 credits

Chemistry

Two semesters of general chemistry with lab; two semesters or organic chemistry with lab

CHM 1100 and 1130 General Chemistry 1 5 credits
CHM 1140 and 1150 General Chemistry 2 5 credits
CHM 1240 and 1250 Organic Chemistry 1 5 credits
CHM 2220 and 2230 Organic Chemistry 2 5 credits

Biochemistry

One semester of biochemistry

BIO 3100 Cellular Biochemistry 3 credits
CHM 5600 Survey of Biochemistry 3 credits
CHM 6620 Metabolism 3 credits (biochemistry majors only)

Physics

Two semesters of physics with lab

PHY 2130 and 2131 Physics for the Life Sciences 1 5 credits
PHY 2140 and 2141 Physics for the Life Sciences 2 5 credits
Please note: PHY 2170/71 and PHY 2180/81 are also acceptable

Math

One semester of calculus

MAT 2010 4 credits

Statistics

One semester of statistics

STA 1020 3 credits or MAT 2210 4 credits or PH 3200 3 credits

Psychology

PSY 1010 4 credits (with lab) or PSY 1020 - 3 credits (without lab)

English (Composition)

Two semesters, only one literature course can count towards this requirement.

ENG 1020 Basic Composition 3 credits
ENG 3010 Intermediate Writing 3 credits (many Intermediate Composition (ICN) courses will satisfy thisrequirementbut ENG 3010 is recommended)

Additional recommendedcoursework

Additional classes may be required depending on the particular optometry program. Please check with a Pre-Optometry advisor for more details on these classes.