Optometry

Knox-Illinois College of Optometry Combined Degree Program

This program provides you with the opportunity to work toward your Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree at Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) after three years at Knox. Applicants are selected by ICO in their third year after successfully completing curriculum requirements. In addition to demonstrating a strong academic record, applicants will be interviewed by a Knox selection committee and ICO representatives prior to admission.

To be eligible, you must complete your academic major and fulfill all general education requirements for your Knox bachelor's degree in three years. Your first year in the optometry program will count as your final year at Knox, and you'll receive your bachelor's degree with your graduating class. You also must:

• complete at least 27 credits with at least a 3.1 grade point average
• be in residence on the Knox campus at least six terms and have earned at least 18 Knox credits
• complete all requirements for the Knox degree except the requirements for a second area of specialization and for last credit and terms before the degree to be in residence
• be recommended for the program by the Dean of the College or, upon request, by the faculty program advisor

Knox-Illinois College of Optometry Course Requirements

General Biology

BIOL 110 Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity and
BIOL 120 Cell Biology and Physiology and
BIOL 130 Molecular Biology and Genetics

Microbiology

BIOL 323/333 Microbiology

Chemistry

CHEM 100A General Chemistry I and
CHEM 102A General Chemistry II and
CHEM 211 Organic Chemistry I

Physics

PHYS 110 Mechanics and
PHYS 120 Heat, Waves and Light and
PHYS 130 Electricity and Magnetism

Calculus

MATH 145 Applied Calculus or
MATH 151 Calculus I

Statistics or Research Methods

STAT 200 Introductory Statistics or
BIOL 210 Introduction to Research or
PSYC 281 Research Methods and Statistics I

Psychology

One course in psychology

Social Science

One course in the social sciences

Upper Level Biology

BCHM 265 Cell Biology or
BIOL 325 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy or
BIOL 328 Physiology or
BIOL 329 Histology

All required courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.

Program participants must take the OAT exam no later than the fall of the third year and achieve a score that equals or exceeds the average of ICO's previous year's entering class.