Prerequisites

In order to be admitted into the Doctor of Optometry Program, a Bachelor's degree is required prior to matriculation, and the following prerequisite coursework must be completed within five years of the date of application.

Course Grade # of Hours
Biological Sciences with Labs A 8 Hours
Fundamentals of Chemistry with Labs A 8 Hours
General Physics with Labs A B 8 Hours
Calculus C 3 Hours
Jr/Sr-Level Human Anatomy and/or Human Physiology D 3 Hours
Jr/Sr-Level Human Systems-Focused Biology D 5 Hours
Organic Chemistry with Lab   4 Hours
Biochemistry   3 Hours
Microbiology with Lab A 4 Hours
Statistics   3 Hours
Psychology   3 Hours

Table Legend

A Courses should be equivalent to those required for biological science degree majors.
B Course should have an optics section dedicated to the study of wave theory and the propagation of light. Calculus based physics not required; trigonometry or algebra based physics is acceptable.
C A three-hour course in calculus is required; it is recommended (but not required) that applicants take one or more courses in algebra, trigonometry, pre-calculus and/or analytical geometry in addition to calculus.
D Eight hours of junior/senior-level human science-related biology courses are required. A minimum of three of these eight hours must come from junior/senior-level physiology or anatomy (freshman/sophomore-level A&P courses will not satisfy these requirements). Acceptance of other biology courses to satisfy prerequisites is at the discretion of UHCO's admissions committee. Students are recommended to receive prior approval from the Director of Admissions. Courses such as molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, neuroscience, immunology, virology, and endocrinology are acceptable. Courses such as plant physiology, botany, ecology, biodiversity, or biotechnology are not acceptable.