Optometry Requirements
Southern College of Optometry
- "Doctors of optometry are independent primary health care providers who specialize in the examination, diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as the diagnosis of related systemic conditions." (definition adopted by the American Optometric Association)
- Completion of a bachelor's degree is strongly encouraged and the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is required for admission.
- There is no particular major required to enter optometry training although a strong background in science is highly recommended.
- Resources:
- American Optometric Association
-
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
www.opted.org -
Optometry Admission Test information
http://www.ada.org/en/oat
| Courses | U of M Course | # of hours required by Southern College of Optometry |
| General Biology | BIOL 1110/1111 BIOL 1120/1121 | 8 |
| Microbiology | BIOL 3500/3505 | 4 |
| General Chemistry | CHEM 1110/1111 CHEM 1120/1121 |
8 |
| Organic Chemistry | CHEM 3310/3301 | 4 |
| Biochemistry | CHEM 4511* | 3 |
| General Physics | PHYS 2010/2011 PHYS 2020/2021 | 8 |
| Calculus | Math 1830 or Math 1910 | 3 |
| Statistics | Math 1530, Math 4611, SOCI 3311, SCMS 2710, EDPR 4541 |
3 |
| English Composition | ENGL 1010 ENGL 1020 |
6 |
| General Psychology | PSYC 1030 | 3 |
| Social Science Electives | Courses from Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, History, Economics, Anthropology,
Geography, Religion, or Philosophy |
6 |
| Cell Biology | BIOL 3130 | Recommended |
| Comparative Anatomy | BIOL 3620 | Recommended |
| Vertebrate Physiology | BIOL 3730 | Recommended |
*CHEM 3511/3501 (Foundations of Bio-Organic Chemistry) is required prior to taking Biochemistry.