Pre-Optometry
Program Description
Pre-professional programs are designed to meet the admission requirements of professional schools, such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, etc.
These programs are very competitive, so students should plan their program, allowing them the option of completing an undergraduate degree if admission into the professional program is denied or delayed.
Transfer depends on proper course selection, credit hours completed, grade point average (GPA), and other requirements. The minimum stated GPA is often not enough because of the competition to enter a program.
The Optometry program is completed at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario. The minimum requirement for admission is three years (90 credits) Pre- Optometry. Keyano College offers two years of Pre- Optometry coursework. A student may take their second year Pre-Optometry by going to the University of Alberta for the second year. Waterloo’s School of Optometry is a competitive quota program, with seven students from Alberta accepted each year.
Admission Requirements
Program Outcomes
Graduates from the program will be able to:
- Transfer into third year BSc programs at universities in Alberta and across Canada
- Understand and apply fundamental knowledge in areas of the sciences and social sciences.
- Apply the scientific method to the investigation of the natural world.
- Interpret, analyze and organize scientific data in the forms of graphs, tables and lab reports.
Program Structure
This program of study is based on the curriculum from the University of Waterloo. Students should consult with the University of Waterloo for more information.
Required Pre-Professional courses (Years I and II): | |
6 credits General Biology | 3 credits Genetics |
6 credits General Chemistry | 3 credits Introductory Ethics |
6 credits Physics | 3 credits Organic Chemistry |
6 credits Calculus | 3 credits Microbiology |
6 credits English | 3 credits * Biochemistry |
6 credits Physiology | 3 credits Statistics |
3 credits Introductory Psychology | |
Suggested Pattern:
Year 1 | ||
Term I (September - December ) | ||
Course | Course Title | Credits |
3 | ||
Introductory University Chemistry I | 3 | |
Literary Analysis | 3 | |
Elementary Calculus I | 3 | |
Basic Psychological Processes | 3 | |
Term II (January – April) | ||
Course | Course Title | Credits |
3 | ||
Introductory University Chemistry II | 3 | |
Literature in Historical Perspective | 3 | |
Elementary Calculus II | 3 | |
3 credits options (towards a BSc program) | 3 | |
Year 2 | ||
Term I (September - December) | ||
Course | Course Title | Credits |
Molecular Genetics and Heredity | 3 | |
Organic Chemistry I | 3 | |
Essentials of Human Physiology | 3 | |
Introduction to Motion | 3 | |
Introduction to Applied Statistics I | 3 | |
Term II (January – April) | ||
Course | Course Title | Credits |
Introductory Biochemistry | 3 | |
General Microbiology | 3 | |
Integrative Human Physiology | 3 | |
Fluids, Fields and Radiation | 3 | |
3 credits options (towards a BSc program) | 3 | |
Transferability
Students intending to transfer to other institutions should consult the receiving institution as standards may vary.
Transfer information on each course is available at the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfers.