BSU Catalog Home | Pre-Professional Program

Pre-Optometry

Dr. Openshaw (Adviser)

• The preoptometry 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. Although the major may be in any field of study, experience indicated that a biology major will provide the student with an advantage on the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). The OAT is taken in the winter of the junior year.
• Early entrance into optometry school is possible for some students. Most students, however, enter optometry school having completed a baccalaureate degree. In addition, some optometry schools may require more courses than listed below. It is the responsibility of the preoptometry student to become aware of these additional requirements and to plan their preoptometry curriculum accordingly.
• In addition to a strong background in behavioral sciences, English, and humanities, the following courses are specifically required for entrance into most optometry schools:
  • BIOL 120, 121, 122, 123, 205, 206, 321, 322, 371
  • CHEM 121, 122, 123, 124, 231, 232, 233, 237, 238
  • ENGL 121, 122, 123
  • MATH 141, 142, 241, 242, 243
  • PHYS 111, 112, 113
    (or) 211, 212, 213

   

  The following courses are strongly recommended to be included in the student's preoptometry curriculum:

  • BIOL 341, 358, 422, 459, 469
  • ENGL 227
  • MATH 260
  • PSY 201, 202
  • SOC 110, 112
  • THSP 260

     

• A suggested preoptometry program is listed below:

  Freshman Year

  • BIOL 121, 122, 123; F,W,S; (3,3,3 credits)
  • BIOL 120; F,W, or S (3 credits)
  • CHEM 121, 122, 123; F,W,S; (3,3,3 credits)
  • CHEM 124; W or S; (3 credits)
  • ENGL 121, 122, 123; F,W,S; (4,4,4 credits)
  • MATH 141, 142, 241; F,W,S; (5,5,5 credits)
    Electives: Consult your adviser

 

Sophomore Year

• BIOL 205, 206, 371; F,W,S; (5,4,5 credits)
• CHEM 231, 232, 233; F,W,S; (4,3,3 credits)
• CHEM 237,238; W,S; (1,1 credits)
• MATH 242, 243; F,W; (5,5 credits)
• PHYS 211, 212, 213; F,W,S; (5,5,5 credits)
  Electives: Consult your adviser

 

Junior Year

• BIOL 321, 322; F, W (5,5 credits)
  Electives: Consult your adviser

 

Senior Year

Consult your adviser