Prerequisite Courses

Before enrolling at SCO, you must complete at least 90 semester hours or 135 quarter hours at an accredited undergraduate institution. You can apply to SCO after two full years of undergraduate work if you are eligible to continue at the last school you attended.  

Candidates must complete all prerequisite courses prior to enrollment at SCO. You may apply while you are in the process of completing the required courses. Outstanding prerequisite courses will not hinder the interview selection process.

Preference will be given to applicants with baccalaureate or higher degrees. All applicants must be in good academic standing.

Because the science pre-requisite courses provide a significant foundation for the SCO curriculum, as well as the OAT, students who have not been enrolled in any science courses or as a full-time student for two years or longer are encouraged to contact the Admissions Office to discuss their situation.

See our recommended pre-optometry course sequence.

The prerequisite courses are:

• English — composition and/or literature (one year¹)
• General Psychology (one course)
• Social Science² (one year¹)
• Statistics (one course)
• Calculus (one course)
• General Biology with labs (one year¹)
• Microbiology with lab³ (one course)
• General Physics with labs (one year¹)
• General Chemistry with labs (one year¹)
• Organic Chemistry with lab (one course)
• Biochemistry⁴ (one course)

Notes:

1. One year is equal to two semesters or three quarters.
2. The Social Science requirement may be satisfied by completing courses in any of the following areas: Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, History, Economics, Anthropology, Geography, Religion or Philosophy.
3. Bacteriology with lab is the only course that can be used as a substitute for Microbiology.
4. Molecular Biology is the only course that can be used as a substitute for Biochemistry.

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