Sixty Hours but a Survey Science Sequence
Daniel applies for NY optometry licensure after graduating from an OD program. His transcript shows 62 semester hours from a regionally accredited university. The science courses include General Chemistry I and II with labs (8 credits); Organic Chemistry I with lab (4 credits) and Organic Chemistry II with lab (4 credits); Biology I and II with labs (8 credits); Physics I and II (8 credits) listed as Algebra-Based Physics for Life Sciences with separate zero-credit labs; and 30 credits in humanities and social sciences. Organic Chemistry II is recorded as Pass rather than a letter grade. He also has 6 credits of Physical Science Survey as an elective. The Department requests course descriptions. Daniel argues that he has more than 60 hours and every named subject, so he should be approved. The examiner must decide whether to accept the record as satisfying preprofessional education or issue a deficiency.
1. Identify the preprofessional education requirements at issue and explain how the Department should evaluate Daniel's record.
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NY requires at least 60 semester hours of preprofessional study that include general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology or zoology, and physics. Daniel meets the raw credit count, but the Department evaluates course content, not just labels.
- General chemistry and biology: standard sequences with labs; likely acceptable.
- Organic chemistry: two semesters with labs. The Pass in Organic Chemistry II is not automatically disqualifying, but the Department may ask for the school's pass/fail policy and a course description to confirm it is a true organic sequence, not a survey.
- Physics: algebra-based physics is generally acceptable if it is a dedicated physics course; the zero-credit labs should be documented.
- Physical Science Survey: this cannot substitute for physics, but Daniel already has Physics I and II.
The likely outcome is approval if descriptions confirm content; a deficiency should be limited to missing documentation, not the whole record. The burden is on Daniel to supply official descriptions.
2. If the Department finds the organic chemistry sequence deficient because the second course was a one-semester survey, what options does Daniel have short of repeating the entire sequence?
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He should not repeat all four courses. He can complete a standalone second-semester organic chemistry course with lab at a regionally accredited institution and submit an official transcript plus syllabus. The Department may accept a course that is equivalent in content and credits. If the deficiency is only the Pass grade, he may ask the registrar for a letter explaining the grading policy or an equivalency statement. Online coursework is acceptable only if the laboratory component and content meet the Department's standards; he should get pre-approval in writing if possible. A waiver cannot be assumed; the statutory subjects are not discretionary filler.
3. What documents should Daniel submit and what should he avoid doing?
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Submit official transcripts from every institution, course descriptions or syllabi for the four science areas, the pass/fail policy, and proof of accreditation. Keep a copy of the Department's deficiency notice and respond item by item. Avoid sending unofficial transcripts, assuming that 60 credits alone resolves content issues, or enrolling in expensive repeat coursework before the Department identifies the exact deficiency. If he disagrees, he can request review and provide a written explanation from the program.