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Indiana University Bloomington
OD Degree: Preoptometry Requirements
A total of 90 semester hours of college credit is required as a minimum for admission to the School of Optometry; however, a bachelor’s degree is strongly recommended. Preoptometry requirements must be completed by the time the student enters the School of Optometry. Students who already have a bachelor’s degree with a major in a science field are often fully prepared for admission to the School of Optometry. Those with degrees in nonscience fields may find additional course work required. Students may take their preoptometry course work at an accredited institution and earn a grade of C or higher. All pre-optometry requirements must have been completed within 10 years from the time when the student hopes to start the Doctor of Optometry program. Each course, with one exception meets just one requirement.

Of the 90 credit hours, at least 20 must be at the 300-400 level. A maximum of 60 semester hours may be taken at a junior college. None of the specified courses may be taken on a pass/fail basis. The credit hours required in the individual subjects are considered absolute minimums, which must be met or exceeded.


Students entering with a bachelor's degree must have the following courses:
Subject area Min. sem. cr. hrs. req'd Comparable IU courses
Biology/Zoology    
--Introductory, with lab 4 BIOL L112 and L113
--Advanced (animal or developmental) 3 (see recommended list below)
--Microbiology, with lab 4 BIOL M250 and M255
Chemistry    
--General/Inorganic, with labs 8 CHEM C1171 and N3302 or C118
--Organic, 2 courses 4 CHEM C341, C342, and/or C343
Mathematics--Calculus 4 MATH M211 or M119 & M120 (or M119 w/Math X201)
Physics--General 8 PHYS P201 and P202
Statistical Techniques 3 STAT S300; PSY K300 or K310; SPEA K300, ECON E370; MATH K310
Psychology--Introductory 3 PSY P101
Writing Skills    
--English Composition3 3 ENG W131 or 132
--*Additional intensive writing course 3 Intensive Writing Requirement4
Students entering the Indiana University School of Optometry WITHOUT a bachelor's degree must have completed the following courses IN ADDITION to the above:
Subject area Min. sem. cr. hrs. req'd  
     
Arts and Humanities5 6  
Foreign Language6 6  
Social and Historical Studies7 6  
Additional credits as needed  
StronglyRecommended:
Subject area Min. sem. cr. hrs. req'd Comparable IU courses
Advanced Biology    
--Vertebrate or Human Anatomy, with lab 4 ANAT A215
--Physiology, with lab 4 PHYL P215
--Biochemistry (300 level if possible) 3 BIOL M350/CHEM C483
Other Recommended Courses:
Subject area   Comparable IU courses
Small Business Management (1 semester)   BUS X100
Medical Terminology (1 semester)   CLAS C209
Histology (1 semester)   ANAT A464
Ethics (1 semester)   PHIL P140
Independent Research   490 series
Conversion of Quarter Hours
Quarter hours convert to semester hours by the following scale:

3 quarter hrs. = 2 semester hrs.
4 quarter hrs. = 3 semester hrs.
5 quarter hrs. = 3.33 semester hrs.
6 quarter hrs. = 4 semester hrs.

Transfer Admissions
The Indiana University School of Optometry admits students with advanced standing only when a vacancy exists and when the student would have met the Indiana University preoptometry requirements and standards for admission had he or she applied here originally. In addition, the student must have a minimum cumulative average of B in the optometry curriculum, be in good standing with his or her present institution, and have a compelling reason for wanting to transfer to Indiana University's School of Optometry.

Students may lose credits transferring and, for this reason, transfer is generally not recommended. At the very least, 45 credit hours of optometry courses must be completed in residence at Indiana University. No deficiencies in the Indiana University preoptometry requirements may exist at the time of admission. Candidates for transfer must submit a statement of good standing from their current dean. Along with documents specific to the transfer request, the regular application for admission should be submitted.