BSU Catalog Home | Pre-Professional Program

Pre-Optometry

Advisors: Dr. David Bahr, Dr. Julie Larson, Dr. Kerry Openshaw

1. The pre-optometry student should fulfill all requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree at Bemidji State University. The student should declare an academic major. Pre-Optometry is not an academic major. The major may be in any field of study. The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is taken in the winter of the junior year.
2. Early entrance into optometry school is possible for some students. Most students, however, enter optometry school after completing a baccalaureate degree. In addition, some optometry schools may require more courses than listed below. It is the responsibility of the pre-optometry student to become aware of these additional requirements and to plan his or her pre-optometry curriculum accordingly.
3. The pre-optometry student should work closely with the pre-optometry advisor so all course requirements are filled prior to entrance into optometry school. Delay in meeting with the pre-optometry advisor will likely result in delayed entrance into optometry school.
4. General requirements for all schools include at least one year of biology or zoology, general chemistry, general physics, English, college mathematics, and psychology.

   BIOL 1210, 1220, 3710
   CHEM 1111, 1112 (or) 1211, 1212; 2311, 2371
   ENGL 1101, 1102
   MATH 1470
   PHYS 1101, 1102 (or) 2101, 2102
   PSY 1100

5. The following courses are strongly recommended to be included in the student's pre-optometry curriculum:
   BIOL 2110 or 2310
   CHEM 3411, 3471
6. A suggested pre-optometry academic schedule is listed below; numbers in parentheses are semester credits:

Freshman

BIOL 1210, 1220; F, S; (3,3)
CHEM 1211, 1212; F, S; (4,4)
ENGL 1101, 1102; F, S; (3,3)
MATH 1470; F or S; (5)
Electives: Consult your Pre-Optometry Advisor

Sophomore

BIOL 2110 or 2310, 3710; F, S; (5 or 4,4)
BIOL 3920; F; (1)
CHEM 2311, 2312; F, S; (3,3)
CHEM 2371, 2372; F, S; (1,1)
PHYS 1101, 1102 or 2101, 2102; F, S; (4,4 or 5,5)
Electives: Consult your Pre-Optometry Advisor

Junior

Electives: Consult your Pre-Optometry Advisor

Senior

Consult your Pre-Optometry Advisor