General Pre-Optometry School Course Requirements
There are 23 optometry schools that utilize OptomCAS. You can see which schools in the Directory of Schools and Colleges. It is most important that you research the schools you are interested in for their pre-optometry requirements.
General requirements for all optometry schools include at least one year of Biology or Zoology, General Chemistry, General Physics, English and College Math. Check with the optometry schools to which you plan to apply to confirm their required courses. Some schools may have additional requirements. You can check OptomCAS for the most updated school and college prerequisites.
| Course Subject | # Semesters | UC Berkeley course sequence most students use to fulfill requirements |
| General (Inorganic) Chemistry | Most schools require 2 semesters of general chemistry with lab | Chem 1A/1AL, 1B |
| Organic Chemistry | ||
| Biochemistry | MCB 102 (or equivalent) | |
| Biology | Most schools require 2 semesters with lab | Bio 1B, 1A/1AL |
| Immunology | Some schools require 1 semester | MCB 150 |
| Human Anatomy | Some schools require 1 semester | IB 131/131L |
| Human Physiology | Some schools require 1 semester w/lab. Most schools strongly recommend 1 semester w/lab. | IB 132/132L OR MCB 136/133L |
| Physics | Most schools require 2 semester w/lab | Physics 8A, 8B OR Physics 7A, 7B OR Physics 7A, 8B |
| Microbiology | Most schools require 1 semester with lab. | MCB C112/L OR Public Health 162A/L |
| Mathematics | Most schools require 1 semester Calculus and 1 semester Statistics | Math 1A OR Math 16A AND Stat 2 OR Stat 131A OR Public Health 142 |
| English | 2 semesters | Courses that satisfy the Reading and Composition requirement at Berkeley will fulfill the English coursework requirements for most optometry schools. Save your course syllabi in case any optometry schools express concern that you did not complete their English requirement. |
| Psychology | Most schools require 1 semester | Psych 1 OR Psych 2 |