Pre-Optometry Minor

Coordinator: Jeff Andre
Email: pph@jmu.edu
Phone: (540) 568-6652
Pre-Optometry Minor Website

Program Description

The Pre-Optometry program provides guidance on courses, experiential activities, and competencies for students that are preparing to be competitive applicants to Doctor of Optometry (OD) programs after completing their Bachelor's degree at James Madison University. The Pre-Optometry program is a minor that students complete as part of their baccalaureate degree.

Declaring Pre-Optometry (Admission Standards)

Incoming first-year and transfer students can declare pre-optometry without verification from PPH Advising. Current students can declare the pre-optometry minor through MyMadison without needing further approval.

Additional Information

Pre-professional health programs do not ensure that all prerequisites for admission to health professions schools are met. Students should inquire with optometry schools of interest to confirm details of admission requirements.

Minor Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Courses
BIO 140 & 140L	Foundations of Biology I [C3NS] and Foundations of Biology I Laboratory [C3L]	4
BIO 150 & 150L	Foundations of Biology II and Foundations of Biology II Laboratory	4
BIO 245 & 245L	General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory	4
BIO 270 & 270L	Human Physiology [C3NS] and Human Physiology Laboratory [C3L]	4
or BIO 370	Human and Animal Physiology
BIO 290 & 290L	Human Anatomy and Human Anatomy Laboratory	4
CHEM 131 & 131L	General Chemistry I [C3PP] and General Chemistry Laboratory [C3L]	4
CHEM 132 & 132L	General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory	4
CHEM 241	Organic Chemistry I	3
CHEM 242 & 242L	Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Laboratory	5
CHEM 361	Biochemistry I	3
PHYS 140 & 140L	College Physics I [C3PP] and General Physics Laboratory I [C3L]	4
PHYS 150 & 150L	College Physics II and General Physics Laboratory II	4
PSYC 101	General Psychology [C5SD]	3
Subtotal		50
Intermediate or Advanced BIO Coursework
Choose one of the following from subjects recommended by optometry schools:		4
BIO 240 & 240L	Genetics and Genetics Laboratory
BIO 304	Cell and Molecular Biology 1
BIO 425	Immunology
BIO 482	Human Histology
Subtotal		4
Calculus
Choose one of the following:		3-4
MATH 205	Applied Calculus [C3QR]
MATH 231	Calculus with Functions I [C3QR]
MATH 233	Calculus with Modeling I [C3QR]
MATH 235	Calculus I [C3QR]
Subtotal		3-4
Statistics
MATH 220	Elementary Statistics [C3QR]	3
or MATH 229	Introduction to Applied Statistics Using R [C3QR]
Subtotal		3
Writing and Literature
WRTC 103	Rhetorical Reading and Writing [C1W]	3
One literature course from (C2L) ENG or HUM		3
Subtotal		6
Total Credits		66-67

¹

BIO 240 is a prerequisite.