Biology: Pre-Optometry
BUILD YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAREER WITH A DEGREE FROM UW-STEVENS POINT
UW-Stevens Point offers a wide variety of pre-professional programs, and our graduates have an excellent record of acceptance by graduate and professional schools. Many students who plan to enter a professional school as undergraduates or who intend to pursue graduate studies in a professional school such as Medicine, Dentistry, Optometry, or Nursing, follow a program of study specifically designed for that career path.
From the moment you step on campus and into our classes, you’ll feel at home. Right from the start you’ll get to meet other Biology and Biochemistry majors in your introductory courses. And you won’t only meet each other, but you’ll also meet and mingle with our faculty; learn how to navigate your career path; and figure out how to set yourself up for success as a professional.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Our courses are led by 21 total Biology and 15 total Chemistry full-time, Ph.D. faculty members. Students take classes and conduct research in the university’s Haeni Chemistry Biology Building, a state-of-the-art, $75 million facility. Although not required, we advise students in all pre-professional areas to get a bachelor of science degree before entering a professional school.
Pre-professional programs are designed to provide students with the necessary coursework and advising support to prepare for a professional school. The pre-professional program is not a major, minor, or certificate, and it does not appear as a credential on a student’s transcript. To complete the pre-professional program and earn an undergraduate degree, students must declare a major, which serves as the primary area of study. The choice of major is flexible; students are encouraged to select a major that aligns with their academic interests. Contact the appropriate pre-professional adviser for guidance as early as possible.
Students looking to advance in their profession after employment or enter graduate school, medical school, or veterinary medicine should consult their adviser about additional math, physics and chemistry coursework.
GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS
Student-run organizations at UW-Stevens Point offer a number of opportunities to get involved with fellow students, professors, and the community. Explore here! Below are just some of the student clubs related to careers in health care.
- Pre-Med and Allied Health
- Pre-Physical Therapy
- Neuroscience
- Tri-Beta Lambda Omicron Chapter
- Chemistry Club
- American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
NAVIGATE YOUR MAJOR
Major Maps help you map your first day to the first job in your chosen field. While a four-year plan outlines the classes needed to earn a degree, Major Maps help you learn how to build career-ready skills and gain hands-on experience outside the classroom. Each Major Map shows how you can get the most out of your UW-Stevens Point journey from enrollment to graduation and beyond. It’s a roadmap to discovering your purpose!