Link to MC's Home Page

PRE-OPTOMETRY: 079
Arts and Sciences A.A.

This track provides the basic professional requirements for transfer to a school of optometry. All 12 accredited schools and colleges of optometry in the United States require a six-year curriculum leading to a doctor of optometry degree. This includes four years of professional school and a minimum of two years of pre-optometry studies. Prospective optometry students are advised to check the requirements of the institution to which they intend to transfer. Completion of all requirements for this track will lead to the award of the A.A. in arts and sciences.

A suggested course sequence for full-time students follows; part-time students should consult an adviser.

First Semester
BI 107 Principles of Biology I 4
CH 101 Principles of Chemistry I 4
EN 101 Techniques of Reading and Writing I 3
  Health foundation 1
  Mathematics foundation* 3 (4)

Second Semester
  BI elective† 4
  CH elective‡ 4
EN 102 Techniques of Reading and Writing II 3
  MA elective* 3 (4)
PE 101–199 Physical education elective 1

Third Semester
PE 101–199 Physical education elective 1
PH 203 General Physics I 4
PY 102 General Psychology 3
SP 108 Introduction to Human Communication 3
  Humanities distribution 3

Fourth Semester
PE 101–199 Physical education elective 1
PH 204 General Physics II 4
  Arts distribution 3
  Arts or humanities distribution 3
  Behavioral and social sciences distribution 3
  Elective 3 (4)

Total credit hours  61 (64)

* Recommended mathematics sequences are MA 110–180 or MA 180–160. Some optometry schools require calculus. Consult with an adviser and with the optometry school.

† BI 108 or BI 203 is suggested. Some optometry schools require two semesters of general biology or zoology, and some schools require microbiology or comparative anatomy as well. Consult with an adviser and with the optometry school.

‡ CH 102 or CH 120 is suggested. Some optometry schools require two semesters of general chemistry and one semester of organic chemistry. Consult with an adviser and with the optometry school.

Note: Some transfer institutions require two years of a foreign language to be completed by the end of the junior year.

Refer to course description pages to identify courses with prerequisites.
Courses in italics meet General Education requirements.