Optometry School Course Recommendations

Below are common prerequisites for optometry school admission, and UMBC courses that are likely to meet those requirements may be viewed by clicking on the expandable element. However, this guide is intended to serve as a starting point for students who are preparing for health professional school. Each professional school has unique prerequisites. Visit the websites of individual schools to learn about the specific admissions requirements for those programs. Students may also find that the OptomCAS website(opens in a new tab) provides helpful information about optometry school prerequisites as well as other information and data related to admission.

The recommended courses may have prerequisites of their own. Use the Course Descriptions in the Catalog (opens in a new tab) to find information on course descriptions, prerequisites, and course attributes (to determine if a course satisfies a General Education Program requirement).

While this guide lists only UMBC courses, students may complete prerequisite courses at other institutions. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that they have taken all of the courses necessary to meet the admissions requirements of the optometry programs that they intend to apply to. Many optometry schools accept prerequisites taken at a community college. However, some professional schools will not consider prerequisite courses taken at a community college, while others may place restrictions on how many, or which courses, may be taken at two-year institutions.  Additionally, some schools will accept AP, IB, or similar test credit for certain prerequisites, while others will not. It is the applicant’s responsibility to review the admissions policies of the optometry programs that they intend to apply to.

  • Molecular and General Genetics (BIOL 302)
  • Cell Biology (BIOL 303)
  • Experimental Biology Laboratory (BIOL 300L)
  • Either Molecular and General Genetics Laboratory (BIOL 302L) or Cell Biology Laboratory (BIOL 303L)

These upper-level biology courses help students prepare for optometry school coursework as well as the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). Additionally, Cell Biology is a prerequisite for many upper-level biology courses.

  • Principles of Chemistry I (CHEM 101)
  • Principles of Chemistry II (CHEM 102L)
  • Introductory Chemistry Lab (CHEM 102L)

These courses help students prepare for optometry school coursework as well as the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). Additionally, they are prerequisites for organic chemistry.

  • Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 351)
  • Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (CHEM 351L)
  • Organic Chemistry II (course code: CHEM 352)
  • Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (course code: CHEM 352L)

These courses courses help students prepare for optometry school coursework as well as the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). They also help students prepare to take biochemistry.

Note: Most optometry schools require only one semester of organic chemistry, but some require two. However, organic chemistry concepts from both CHEM 351 and 352 are covered on the OAT. Therefore, taking the full sequence is strongly recommended.

Note: Organic Chemistry II and lab (CHEM 352 and 352L) are typically only offered in the spring and summer terms.

Note: See additional notes regarding biochemistry in the biochemistry section below

If a student’s major requires algebra-based physics or does not require physics, take the Basic Physics sequence:

  • Basic Physics I (PHYS 111)
  • Basic Physics II (PHYS 112)

Note: these courses include a laboratory section (with no separate course)

Note: Basic Physics II may conflict with Organic Chemistry Laboratory II

If a student’s major requires calculus-based physics, take the Introductory Physics sequence and the Experimental Physics lab:

  • Introductory Physics I (PHYS 121)
  • Introductory Physics II ( PHYS 122)
  • Experimental Physics: Fundamentals with Applications (PHYS 132L)

These courses courses help students prepare for optometry school coursework as well as the Optometry Admission Test (OAT).

Students may choose either of the following two options:

  • Biological Chemistry (BIOL 430) or Comprehensive Biochemistry I (CHEM 437)

Note: Comprehensive Biochemistry I is typically only offered in the Fall semester

Note: Comprehensive Biochemistry requires completion of both CHEM 351 and 352

Note: Some schools may require a biochemistry lab. BIOL 430 does not have an associated lab. CHEM 437 does have a lab. CHEM 437L has CHEM 300, ENGL 100, and CHEM 351L as prerequisites

  • General Microbiology (course code: BIOL 375)
  • Microbiology Laboratory (course code: BIOL 273L)

Microbiology for Allied Health (course code: BIOL 273) may also be acceptable, but the upper-level microbiology course may help students prepare for the rigorous optometry school curriculum. Additionally, BIOL 273 is primarily intended for allied health students, and seats are reserved for students who are preparing for these career pathways.

  • Human Physiology (course code: BIOL 307) and, if required, Physiology lab (course code: BIOL 305L)

For schools that specify anatomy or require two semesters of anatomy and physiology:

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I (course code: BIOL 251) and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory (course code: BIOL 251L)
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology II (course code: BIOL 252) and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory (course code: BIOL 252L)

Note: BIOL 251 and 252 are typically taken by students who are preparing for an allied health career, and seats may be reserved for these students.

  • Composition (ENGL 100)
  • Any other course with an ENGL prefix

English or Humanities requirements vary among optometry schools, however, two semesters of courses with an ENGL prefix will meet the requirements for many schools. English courses that require analyzing literature, typically with a course code in the 200s or above, can help students develop the critical thinking skills that support preparation for the Reading section of the Optometry Admission Test (OAT).

Students may choose either of the following two options:

  • Applied Calculus (MATH 155) or Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (MATH 151)

Students should choose the calculus option based on their major requirements. For majors does not require calculus, MATH 155 is recommended because it has a higher rate of student success compared to MATH 151.

  • Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences (STAT 121), Statistics with Applications in the Biological Sciences (course code: STAT 350), or another statistics course required by an academic major
  • Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 100)