Program Prerequisites

Prerequisite Courses

Course	# of Hours
Biological Sciences with Labs A,E	8 Hours
Fundamentals of Chemistry with Labs A,E	8 Hours
General Physics with Labs A,B,E	8 Hours
Calculus C,F	3 Hours
Advanced Biology D,E	8 Hours
Organic Chemistry with Lab F	4 Hours
Biochemistry E	3 Hours
Microbiology with Lab A,E	4 Hours
Statistics F	3 Hours
Psychology F	3 Hours

A Courses should be equivalent to those required for biological science degree majors.
B Course should have an optics section dedicated to the study of wave theory and the propagation of light. Calculus based physics not required; trigonometry or algebra based physics is acceptable.
C A three-hour course in calculus is required; it is recommended (but not required) that applicants take one or more courses in algebra, trigonometry, pre-calculus and/or analytical geometry in addition to calculus.
D 8 hours of junior/senior-level biology courses are required. Advanced anatomy and/or advanced physiology (higher than A&P I or II) are recommended. Acceptance of other advanced biology courses to satisfy prerequisite requirements is at the discretion of the admissions committee. It is recommended that applicants receive prior approval from the Program Manager for Admissions for applicable courses. Courses such as genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, neuroscience, advanced human physiology, mammalian physiology, immunology, histology and endocrinology will be acceptable. Courses such as plant physiology, ecology, biodiversity, biotechnology will not be accepted.
E Coursework must be completed with a minimum grade of C no more than five (5) years prior to the date of application.
F Coursework must be completed with a minimum grade of C no more than ten (10) years prior to the date of application.

*** A Bachelor's degree is required prior to matriculation for admission to the professional program at the University of Houston College of Optometry.

*** Letters of recommendation must be requested via and submitted directly to OptomCAS. UHCO requires three letters of recommendation, two of which must be academic letters of recommendation - that is, two letters should be from faculty who have directly taught the applicant. UHCO recommends that the third letter be from an optometrist with whom the applicant has trained/shadowed.

*** The College of Optometry requires that newly admitted applicants complete and successfully pass a Criminal Background Check (CBC) prior to matriculation. Offers of admission are contingent upon this CBC and upon the UHCO Admissions Committee’s review of its findings. Additionally, UHCO students complete two external clinical rotations, and all US federal clinics (VA, military, Indian Health Service) require a CBC. This CBC is separate and in addition to the one completed as part of the admissions process. The CBC occurs approximately 6-12 weeks prior to the date the externship begins and as determined by the site.