Course variations

Course summary

This course aims to produce professionally competent optometrists serving as primary eye care health practitioners in the community. Singapore Polytechnic is the only tertiary institution in Singapore that offers diploma and degree in optometry. It is the study of visual defects and functional disorders of the eye. The scope of optometry includes the detection of common eye diseases, the management of binocular vision problems such as squints and lazy eyes and the prescription of spectacles and contact lenses. Practical training will be conducted at the Singapore Polytechnic Optometry Centre. The School has excellent clinical and laboratory facilities that provide students with hands-on experience on the latest equipment and precision instruments. Students will also be sent to selected hospitals, contact lens and ophthalmic lens companies for attachment during the vacation in order to widen their scope of experience in Optometry. Opportunities also exist for students to undertake overseas community projects and attachments to the various Schools of Optometry and research institutions abroad. There is currently a shortage of graduate optometrists in Singapore and there will be a healthy demand for these optometrists in the coming years. Graduates are well suited for employment as optometrists in private practices and in eyecare-related companies. Government hospitals and some statutory bodies also employ optometrists in their organisations. Alternatively, graduates may pursue research careers at various institutions. Options for further studies include the Bachelor of Science (with Honours) in Optometry programme offered by University of Manchester through a strategic partnership with Singapore Polytechnic (SP).

Program modules

The modules are CP2071 Anatomy and Physiology 45, CP3004 Ophthalmic Optics 45, CP3008 Human Biochemistry 60, CP3029 Introductory Ocular Microbiology 45, CP3035 Physiological and Visual Optics 75, CP3047 Geometrical and Physical Optics 75, CP3048 Ocular Anatomy and Physiology 90, CP3049 Ocular Pathology 1 60, CP4001 Analytical and Physical Chemistry 60, LC0203 Report Writing and Presentation 30, MS2104 Mathematics 45, General Education Module 1 60, CP3010 Clinical Optometry 1 120, CP3012 Ophthalmic Dispensing 45, CP3013 Ocular Pharmacology 30, CP3015 Clinical Optometry 2 45, CP3038 Introduction to Contact Lens 60, CP3039 Contact Lens Fitting 75, CP3040 Contact Lens Complications 45, CP3050 Ocular Pathology 2 45, CP3051 Binocular Vision and Paediatric Optometry 75, CP9006 Industrial Training Program, MS2231 Biostatistics 60, General Education Module 2 60, BA9014 Business Management for Optometry Practice 75, CP301Y/Z Project 120, CP3022 Clinical Practice I 90, CP3024 Clinical Practice 2 90, CP3026 Environmental and Community Health Optometry 45, CP3052 Contact Lens Practice 1 90, CP3053 Contact Lens Practice 2 90 and General Education Module 3 30.

Entry requirement for international students

Students from Hong Kong (SAR) need to have completed Hong Kong Certificate of Education (HKCEE) and / or Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE). Indian students must have completed Secondary School Certificate (Year 10) or Senior School Certificate (Year 12). Indonesian students need to have done SMA Ujian Akhir Nasional (UAN) / STTB SMA or SMA, SMU Ebtanas. Malaysian students must possess Unified Examination Certificate and Unified Examination Certificate - Vocational. Students from Myanmar should have Basic Education High School (BEHS). People's Republic of China students must fulfill Gaokao or National College Entrance Examination (NCEE). Thailand students should have completed Maw 6. Vietnam students need to have undertaken Year 12 High School Graduation Certificate of National Exam and students from other countries must have qualification in GCSE/IGCSE/GCE (non Singapore-Cambridge) and/ or other qualifications (will be assessed based on its equivalence to the GCE 'O' level examinations). Those who hold International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma qualification are required to satisfy the requirements which are based on the IB Diploma (Middle Years Programme is not considered): For English, a grade 4 (first Lang) or 5 (second Lang) is required except for Creative Writing for Television and New Media and Media and Communication courses where a grade 5 (first Lang) or 6 (second Lang) is required; Maths and Relevant Subject requires a minimum grade of 5. The Overall Aggregate score should be at least 22 (based on 5 subjects including English, Maths and Relevant Subject).

Qualification

Diploma

Awarding body

Singapore Polytechnic