Pre-Optometry
Pre-Optometry
The detection and treatment of vision problems are the concerns of optometry and ophthalmology. These two professions differ in that ophthalmologists are required to have a medical degree. An optometrist is usually not licensed to prescribe drugs or trained to perform surgery, although some states allow them to use topical drugs for therapeutic purposes. Students desiring to pursue an optometry degree should have a strong interest in science and have excellent communication skills. Courses in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and English should be taken to prepare for admission to optometry school. In the United States a prospective optometrist must complete a four-year course of study, including a year of internship, at a school that offers the Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. A state licensing examination must then be passed before the optometrist can begin practice.
Course Schedule
A.A. Degree
First Semester |
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| Course # | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| ENG-105 | Composition I | 3.0 |
| BIO-112 | General Biology I | 4.0 |
| CHM-165 | General Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| SDV-108 | The College Experience | 1.0 |
| MAT-210 | Calculus I | 4.0 |
Total Hours: 16.0 |
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Second Semester |
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| Course # | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| ENG-106 | Composition II | 3.0 |
| BIO-113 | General Biology II | 4.0 |
| CHM-175 | General Chemistry II | 4.0 |
| CSC-110 | Intro to Computers | 3.0 |
| PHI-145 | Intro to Ethical Conflicts | 3.0 |
Total Hours: 17.0 |
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Third Semester |
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| Course # | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| CHM-261 | Organic Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| BIO-168 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4.0 |
| SPC-101 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication | 3.0 |
| MAT-156 | Statistics I | 3.0 |
| XXX-XXX | History Elective | 3.0 |
Total Hours: 17.0 |
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Fourth Semester |
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| Course # | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| PSY-111 | Intro to Psychology | 3.0 |
| ECN-130 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3.0 |
| BIO-173 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4.0 |
| XXX-XXX | Humanities Elective | 3.0 |
| XXX-XXX | Social Science Elective | 3.0 |
Total Hours: 17.0 |
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A.A. Degree Total Hours: 68.0 |
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**PHY-162 College Physics I (needed if you did not have 1 year of High School Physics) |
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Instructors
| Beth Collins | 515-574-1244 | collins@iowacentral.edu | |
| Don Evers | 515-574-1226 | evers@iowacentral.edu | |
| Dr. Anne Macek-Lachelt | 515-574-1246 | lachelt@iowacentral.edu | |
| Steve Openshaw | 515-574-1248 | openshaw@iowacentral.edu |
