Optometry
Northwestern’s pre-optometry program prepares the student for entrance into a college of optometry and an eventual career as an optometrist. Students may be accepted by a college of optometry after three years but the majority of those accepted have earned a B.A. degree. Specific courses recommended by most colleges of optometry are as follows:
| Recommended courses |
| Biology elective 4 |
| Courses in writing 6 |
| Psychology electives 8 |
| BIO 116 - General Biology: Ecology and Organismal Biology |
| BIO 203 - Microbiology |
| CHE 111 - General Chemistry |
| CHE 112 - General Chemistry |
| CHE 321 - Organic Chemistry |
| MAT 116 - Statistics for the Natural and Social Sciences |
| PHY 111 - General Physics I |
| PHY 112 - General Physics II |
| Choose one course: 3-4 |
| MAT 111 - Calculus for Management, Life and Social Sciences |
| MAT 112 - Calculus I |
| Total credits recommended: 52-53 |
For students in mathematics, the physical sciences, and those students seeking candidacy to a medical school or other graduate program. Topics will include kinematics, Newtonian mechanics, energy, momentum and thermodynamics. Prerequisite: C- or higher in MAT109, or ACT math score of 24 or better (SAT 550 or above), or consent of department chair. (4 credits)
A continuation of General Physics I. Topics will include simple harmonic oscillation, mechanical and electromagnetic waves, electromagnetism and modern physics.Prerequisite: successful completion of PHY111 with a grade of C- or better, or consent of department chair.(4 credits)
A calculus course for non-majors that emphasizes applications and techniques that are of significance in business, biology, health and social sciences. Applications involving both differential and integral calculus are included. Prerequisite: C- or higher in MAT109, or an ACT math score of at least 22 (SAT 520 or above), or permission of mathematics department chair. (3 credits)
A study of functions, limits, derivatives and integrals with a strong emphasis on both theory and applications. Prerequisite: C- or higher in MAT109, or an ACT math score of at least 24 (SAT 550 or above), or permission of mathematics department chair. (4 credits)
Topics in probability and statistics with an emphasis on problems in the sciences: discrete and continuous distributions, estimation and hypothesis testing, p-values, correlation, simple linear regression. Prerequisite: C- or better in MAT090 or an ACT math score of 20 or above (SAT 480 or above). (3 credits)
An introductory course in chemistry that emphasizes physical and inorganic concepts, problems and calculations. Topics include chemical reactions, stoichiometry, properties of gases, thermochemistry, theories of atomic structure, and chemical bonding. The general chemistry sequence (Chemistry 111 and Chemistry 112) is recommended for students with good math / science preparations who intend to proceed to advanced courses in chemistry, the biological sciences or engineering.Prerequisites: high school chemistry and ACT math and natural science scores above the 74th percentile.(4 credits)
A continuation of Chemistry 111. Topics covered include kinetics, thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, acid-base chemistry and nuclear chemistry.Prerequisite: CHE111 or consent of the instructor.(4 credits)
The study of carbon compounds and their functional groups, including nomenclature, synthesis, reactions, structures, mechanisms and spectroscopic analysis.Prerequisites: CHE102 or 112 or permission of instructor.(4 credits)
General Biology II is an introduction to organismal biology emphasizing the diversity of life forms. Representative organisms from the plant and animal kingdoms will be emphasized. Students will also be introduced to basic ecological concepts and Christian perspectives on stewardship. (4 credits)
A study of the morphology and physiology of microorganisms with special emphasis on bacteria and viruses. Those organisms that have an economic or medical importance will be highlighted, and basic laboratory techniques will be stressed.Prerequisites: BIO115, 116 and CHE101, 102 or CHE111, 112.(4 credits)
