Program Overview

Quick Facts

  • Delivery: On Campus
  • Program Type: Non-Degree
  • Brand New State-of-the-Art Labs 

Optometrists are doctors that provide primary vision care by examining our eyes for visual acuity, diagnosing eye-related diseases and disorders, and prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses to patients.

The Ball State pre-optometry program is a non-degree program that prepares you to pursue a doctor of optometry degree by meeting admission requirements for four-year optometry school accredited by the American Optometric Association.

Meet the Biology Faculty Who Teach in this Program

We have a dedicated support team in Biology including academic advisors with educational backgrounds in biological sciences and a faculty advisor with a PhD. They will assist you with the application timeline, setting benchmarks, and finding shadowing and volunteer opportunities. Feel free to contact one of the advisors to see what a course schedule would like look!

Because many of our students decide to apply to the Indiana University School of Optometry, we designed our program around IU's admission requirements. However, our departmental advisors can you help explore other schools and meet their specific admissions requirements.

Required Courses

The courses you will take to complete the pre-optometry program are:

  • BIO 111 – Principles of Biology 1
  • BIO 214 – Genetics OR PHYS 215 – Human Physiology
  • BIO 313 – Microbiology
  • ANAT 201 – Fundamentals of Human Anatomy
  • ZOOL 330 – Structure and Development of Vertebrates
  • CHEM 111 – General Chemistry 1
  • CHEM 112 – General Chemistry 2
  • CHEM 230 – Organic Chemistry for the Life Sciences AND CHEM 241 – Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1
  • CHEM 360 – Essentials of Biochemistry
  • CHEM 361 – Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory
  • ENG 104 – Composing Research
  • PHYC 110 – General Physics 1
  • PHYC 112 – General Physics 2
  • PSYS 100 – Introduction to Psychological Science
  • One of the following:
    • BIO 315 – Methods in Cell Biology
    • BIO 316 – Methods in Ecology
    • English elective
  • One of the following:
    • MATH 165 – Calculus 1
    • MATH 166 – Calculus 2
  • One of the following:
    • PSYS 241 – Statistics
    • MATH 221 – Probability and Statistics
    • BIO 448 – Biometry

Other Recommended Electives

Other recommended elective courses are:

  • BIO 215 – Cell Biology
  • BIO 315 – Methods in Cell Biology
  • ANAT 425 – Human Embryology and Histology
  • BIO 498 – Undergraduate Research
  • ECON 116 – Survey of Economic Ideas or BUSAD 101 – Introduction to Business or MGT 200/300 – Management Principles
  • NUR 101 – Medical Terminology
  • PHIL 100 – Introduction to Philosophy
  • PHIL 202 - Ethics

Additional Courses for Indiana University School of Optometry

Students entering the Indiana University School of Optometry without a bachelor’s degree must have the following courses in addition to the above:

  • six credits from arts and humanities
  • six credits in a foreign language (may be exempt if two or more years was completed in high school with an average grade of C or above)
  • six credits in social and behavioral sciences

For a complete list of all the classes you will take as part of this program and their descriptions, please see our Course Catalog.

View Catalog

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Take the Next Step

Do you want to learn more about our program or have questions about the application process or financial aid? We’re here to help! One of the best ways to understand why Ball State is right for you is to schedule a visit through our Office of Undergraduate Admissions to see it for yourself. Or if you’d like to speak directly to someone in our department, please feel free to call or email us.

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