Pictured | Shelby Alexander | Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences / Pre-Optometry | La Porte, Indiana (hometown)
Honors Program
Club Affiliation | IU South Bend Book Club (founder/president)

Optometry

A Bachelor's degree, either BA or BS, is required for admission into optometry school. Students may major in any subject, but the most common majors are Biological Sciences, Biochemistry or Chemistry due to the overlap between the degree requirements and entrance requirements for optometry school. It is not possible to earn a degree in "pre-optometry."

The IU School of Optometry sets admission and degree requirements.  Students seeking admission should consult the IU School of Optometry website at optometry.iu.edu/ for further information. Additional advice is available in the IU HPPLA Guidebook guidebook.hppla.indiana.edu.

Listed below are IU South Bend courses that will allow a student to meet the minimum requirements for matriculation to the IU School of Optometry (Doctor of Optometry).  It is not necessary to have completed all the courses listed prior to submitting an application for admission. None of the specified courses may be taken on a pass/fail basis and all courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Up to 10 credits of AP/CLEP coursework is accepted.  All science courses must be in-person and only three other courses may be taken online.

Students interested in pre-optometry coursework at IU South Bend should contact the pre-health professions advisor, Dr. Ann Grens, in the Department of Biological Sciences, soon after admission to IU South Bend to discuss an appropriate degree program. Send email inquiries to agrens@iu.edu or call (574) 520-4426.

Requirements (86 cr.)

All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise designated.

Biology (26 cr.)

• BIOL-L 101 Introduction to Biological Sciences 1 (5 cr.)
• BIOL-L 102 Introduction to Biological Sciences     2 (5 cr.)
• BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology
• MICR-M 310 Microbiology
• MICR-M 315 Microbiology Laboratory (2 cr.)
• PHSL-P 261 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 (4 cr.)
• PHSL-P 262 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 (4 cr.)

Chemistry (21 cr.)

• CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry I
• CHEM-C 106 Principles of Chemistry II
• CHEM-C 125 Experimental Chemistry I (2 cr.)
• CHEM-C 126 Experimental Chemistry II (2 cr.)
• CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry Lecture 1
• CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry Lecture 2
• CHEM-C 343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1 (2 cr.)
• CHEM-C 484 Biomolecules and Catabolism

English (6 cr.)

• ENG-W 131 Reading, Writing, and Inquiry I
• ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills

Mathematics (5 cr.)

• MATH-M 215 Calculus I (5 cr.)

Physics (10 cr.)

Select one of the following sequences:

Sequence 1

• PHYS-P 201 General Physics 1 (5 cr.)
• PHYS-P 202 General Physics 2 (5 cr.)

Sequence 2

• PHYS-P 221 Physics 1 (5 cr.)
• PHYS-P 222 Physics 2 (5 cr.)

Psychology (3 cr.)

• PSY-P 103 General Psychology

Statistics (3 cr.)

Select one from the following:

• BIOL-L 220 Biostatistics (recommended)
• MATH-K 310 Statistical Techniques
• PSY-P 354 Statistical Analysis in Psychology

Arts and Humanities (6 cr.)

• At least two courses, including PHIL-P 140 Introduction to Ethics (recommended)

Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 cr.)

• At least two courses