Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Optometry Program

The Bachelor of Optometry program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the field of optometry. The program is offered by the Discipline of Optometry and is accredited by the relevant authorities.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Optometry program, candidates must have an NSC degree pass with the following subjects:

• English
• Life Orientation level 4
• Mathematics 4
• Life Sciences or Physical Science at Level 4
• 33 points excluding Life Orientation

Program Curriculum

The curriculum for the Bachelor of Optometry program comprises modules with a total credit point value of 512 credit points, extending over eight semesters of full-time study. All modules in the curriculum are compulsory.

Year 1

• CHEM110: General Principles of Chemistry (16 credits)
• BIOL103: Introductory Biology for Health Sciences (16 credits)
• MATH150: Mathematics for Natural Sciences (16 credits)
• PHYS131: Intro Physics for Life Sciences & Agriculture (16 credits)
• ANAT103: Introduction to Anatomy & Neuroanatomy (16 credits)
• ANAT108: Anatomy of the Head, Neck & Back (8 credits)
• OPTM141: Introduction to Optometry and Physics (16 credits)
• OPTM142: Community Optometry (16 credits)
• IsiZulu Module (choose ONE): - ZULN101: Basic isiZulu Language Studies A (16 credits) - ZULM105: Academic Writing (16 credits)

Total Credits Year 1: 136

Year 2

• BIMI200: Biochemistry and Microbiology for Optometry (16 credits)
• OPTM231: Clinical Techniques I (16 credits)
• HPHS221: Homeostasis (16 credits)
• OPTM242: Ophthalmic Optics I (16 credits)
• OPTM243: Clinical Science for Optometry (16 credits)
• OPTM232: Clinical Techniques II (16 credits)
• HPHS222: Integration and Communication (16 credits)
• OPTM244: Ophthalmic Optics II (16 credits)

Total Credits Year 2: 126

Year 3

• OPTM341: Optical Dispensing (16 credits)
• OPTM342: Visual Science I (16 credits)
• Year Modules: - OPTM351: General Clinic I / Grand Rounds (16 credits) - OPTM344: Diagnosis and Management of Ocular Disease (32 credits) - OPTM362: Contact Lenses I (24 credits)
• PHRM344: General and Ocular Pharmacology (8 credits)
• OPTM343: Visual Science II (16 credits)

Total Credits Year 3: 128

Year 4

• OPTM435: Binocular Vision (16 credits)
• OPTM431: Contact Lenses II (16 credits)
• OPTM437: Low Vision (16 credits)
• OPTM433: Paediatric Optometry (16 credits)
• OPTM443: General Clinic II (16 credits)
• Year Module: - OPTM442: Research Methods & Publication for Optometry (32 credits)
• OPTM444: Clinical Grand Rounds (32 credits)

Total Credits Year 4: 144

Clinical Experience

All final year students are required to produce verified records of their personal performance of a minimum of 130 supervised optometric examinations of patients, including 10 patients with ocular pathology, before the end of the academic year. This includes patients seen in the Level 3 internal and external clinics.

Attendance and Progression Requirements

Attendance to all practical and clinical modules is compulsory. To maintain good standing, students must meet the minimum rates of progression through their qualifications, as outlined in the program's progression requirements.

Total Credits for the Degree

The total credits required for the completion of the Bachelor of Optometry degree are 536.