Undergraduate Programmes

Bachelor of Optometry

CHS – OPTM 1 Selection for the Bachelor of Optometry

Candidates are eligible to apply for selections to register for the qualification of Bachelor of Optometry provided they have an NSC degree pass with: 

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

CHS – OPTM 2 Curriculum for the Bachelor of Optometry

The curriculum for the qualification Bachelor of Optometry, comprising modules with a total credit point value of 512 credit points as approved by the Senate, shall extend over eight semesters of full-time study. All modules in the curriculum shall be compulsory.

CHS – OPTM 3 Clinical Experience

  1. All final year students shall be required to produce verified records (by approved clinical supervisors) of their personal performance of a minimum of 130 supervised optometric examinations of patients (including 10 patients with ocular pathology) in the internal and external clinics, before the end of the academic year. This will include patients seen in the Level 3 internal and external clinics.
  2. All final year students will be required to produce verified records of a minimum number of patients seen in each of the specialist clinics as follows:  Binocular Vision (10), Contact Lenses (15); 6 RGP’s and 9 Softs, Low Vision (10) and Paediatric Vision (10).
  3. All final year students will be required to produce verified records of a minimum of 500 clinical hours completed during the duration of the degree programme.

CHS – OPTM 4 Attendance

Attendance to all practical and clinical modules are compulsory.

CHS – OPTM 5 Progression requirements

To maintain their good standing, and to avoid either warning for slow academic progress or exclusion from the University, students must maintain minimum rates of progression through their qualifications. Minimum rates of acceptable progression for this qualification are set out below.

Number Semesters Registered Min. Progression Requirements “At Risk” threshold(75% of Maximum) Normal Progression
1 32 48 64
2 64 96 128
3 108 144 192
4 144 192 256
5 180 240 320
6 220 294 392
7 240 320 427
8 297 396 528

Curriculum for Bachelor of Optometry (BOPT)

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)

      (ZULN101 for non-Zulu speaking students / ZULM105 for Zulu speaking students)

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)

 

  • 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)

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)

 

  • Year Module:
    • OPTM442: Research Methods & Publication for Optometry (32 credits)

Total Credits Year 4: 144

Total Credits for the Degree : 536