NDSCS College Catalog |
The Optometry transfer curriculum plan students generally major in an area of science. Students should keep in mind, however, not all optometric school applicants are accepted. Therefore, it is important to select a major that will prepare you to pursue alternative career goals for occupational flexibility.
The optometric schools in the United States have no uniform requirements for pre-professional study. They do, however, recommend a bachelor’s degree and a broad, general education that includes basic science requirement and the development of skills in reading, writing and speaking. Course work must be completed in biology/zoology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, mathematics and English. It is also noted that most, if not all, schools require anatomy and physiology, biochemistry and microbiology. A student should contact the college or university of their choice to confirm a list of recommended courses.
Students are chosen for admission to optometric school primarily on the basis of their undergraduate grades, scores on the Optometry College Admission Test and letters of recommendation.
Students entering the Optometry transfer curriculum plan who do not have the proper prerequisites may need additional preparatory classes. *The Mathematics and Science Department highly recommends the completion of sequential series of courses.
The Optometry plan provides preparation for the professional curriculum. This plan also meets the Liberal Arts Program Purposes list.
In addition to the Optometry transfer curriculum plan, other programs a student may transfer into are biology, microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry and natural science.
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 150 | General Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 150L | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
| BIOL 151 | General Biology II | 3 |
| BIOL 151L | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 121 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 121L | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 122 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 122L | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 241 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 241L | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 242 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 242L | Organic Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| COMM 110 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| ENGL 110 | College Composition I | 3 |
| ENGL 120 | College Composition II | 3 |
| MATH 165 | Calculus I | 4 |
| PHYS 211/211L | College Physics I or | 3/1 |
| PHYS 251/251L | University Physics I (4/1) | |
| PHYS 212/212L | College Physics II or | 3/1 |
| PHYS 252/252L | University Physics II (4/1) | |
| Computer Information System elective | 2 | |
| Any course marked ND:COMPSC | ||
| Humanities/History electives | 6 | |
| From two different prefixes within the categories marked ND:HUM or ND:HIST | ||
| Social and Behavioral Science electives | 8 | |
| From two or more prefixes within the category marked ND:SS | ||
| Wellness elective(s) | 2 | |
| TOTAL REQUIRED CREDITS | 67 | |
| This curriculum meets the North Dakota University System general education requirements as indicated in the NDUS General Education Transfer Agreement. | ||
| Suggested sequence of study | ||
| First Semester | Second Semester | |
| BIOL 150 | BIOL 151 | |
| BIOL 150L | BIOL 151L | |
| CHEM 121 | CHEM 122 | |
| CHEM 121L | CHEM 122L | |
| MATH 165 | COMM 110 | |
| ENGL 110 | ENGL 120 | |
| Wellness electives (2) | HUM/HIST electives (3) | |
| Third Semester | Fourth Semester | |
| CHEM 241/241L | CHEM 242/242L | |
| PHYS 211/211L | PHYS 212/212L | |
| Social Science electives (6) | Social Science elective (3) | |
| CIS elective | HUM/HIST electives (3) | |
The applicants must be high school graduates or equivalent. Helpful courses to prepare for this program are biology, computer science, chemistry, zoology, mathematics, physics and English. Courses that develop reading and communications skills and two years of a foreign language, if available, also are recommended. Applicants may be required to complete a basic skills evaluation during the admissions process.
Upon successful completion of the required courses, students will be awarded an Associate in Science degree in Liberal Arts.
