Postgraduate Programmes

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MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN OPTOMETRY (M9O01Q)

Programme Duration

  • Full-time: Minimum 1 year and Maximum 2 years
  • Part-time: Minimum 1 year and Maximum 3 years
  • NQF Level 9, 180 Credits (HEQF aligned)
  • Research dissertation 100%

Purpose

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying students with the ability to:
1. Perform independent scientific research with an original component.
2. Contribute to knowledge of and insight into optometry as well as the specific discipline of research.
3. Display skills in related research methodologies and in proper formulation through a Master’s dissertation.
4. Only a Research Masters can be done.

Outcomes

The student will be able to:
1. Identify, formulate, prepare and solve research problems.
2. Execute the research project at the appropriate level.
3. Collect, organize, check, evaluate and write a proper literature review organizing the appropriate information in an understandable and logic manner.
4. Acquire learning abilities in the research context including the assessment of scientific literature, execution of research methodologies including the gathering of data and evaluating the information obtained.
5. Report research findings at the appropriate level.
6. Make conclusions, suggestions and recommendations based on the data collected that are reasonable and justifiable.

Rules of Access and Admission Requirements: A Bachelor’s degree in Optometry (or equivalent).

Pass Requirements: Refer to the Academic Regulations of the University of Johannesburg.

Curriculum

A research dissertation on an approved topic:

Module Name and Module Code
Semester One: Dissertation: Optometry Semester 1 OPT9X01
Semester Two: Dissertation: Optometry Semester 2 OPT9X02

MASTER OF HEALTH SCIENCES (OPTOMETRY) (M9OT1Q)

Programme Duration 

  • Full-time: Minimum 1 year and Maximum 2 years
  • Part-time: Minimum 1 year and Maximum 3 years
  • NQF Level 9, 180 Credits (HEQF aligned)
  • Research dissertation 100%

Purpose

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying students with the ability to:

1. Perform independent scientific research with an original component.
2. Contribute to knowledge of and insight into optometry as well as the specific discipline of research.
3. Display skills in related research methodologies and in proper formulation through a Master’s dissertation.
4. Only a Research Masters can be done.

Outcomes

The students will be able to:

1. Identify, formulate, prepare and solve research problems.
2. Execute the research project at the appropriate level.
3. Collect, organize, check, evaluate and write a proper literature review organizing the appropriate information in an understandable and logic manner.
4. Acquire learning abilities in the research context including the assessment of scientific literature, execution of research methodologies including the gathering of data and evaluating the information obtained.
5. Report research findings at the appropriate level.
6. Make conclusions, suggestions and recommendations based on the data collected that are reasonable and justifiable.

Rules of Access and Admission Requirements: A Bachelor’s degree in Optometry (or equivalent).

Pass Requirements: Refer to the Academic Regulations of the University of Johannesburg.

Curriculum

A research dissertation on an approved topic:

Module Name and Module Code
Semester One: Dissertation: Optometry Semester 1 OPT9X01
Semester Two: Dissertation: Optometry Semester 2 OPT9X02

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN HEALTH SCIENCES: OPTOMETRY (P9HS4Q)

Programme Duration

  • Full-time: Minimum 2 years and Maximum 4 years
  • Part-time: Minimum 2 years and Maximum 5 years
  • NQF Level 10, 360 Credits
  • Research Thesis 100%

Purpose

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying students with the ability to:

1. Perform independent, original and creative scientific research.
2. Contribute significant knowledge to and insight into optometry as well as the specific discipline of research.
3. Display skills in related research methodologies and in proper formulation through a doctoral dissertation.
4. Reflect upon decision-making, self-directedness and contributions to optometric science.
5. Only a Research Doctorate can be done.

Outcomes

The student will be able to:

1. Identify and/or create an original research problem.
2. Design, construct and execute a research project at the highest level.
3. Collect appropriate data in a precise and logical manner and evaluate and judge the information obtained.
4. Acquire learning abilities in the research context including the assessment of scientific literature, construction of a research project, execution of project, analysis of data and producing sound scientific arguments.
5. Make relevant conclusions based on the data collected that are reasonable and justified.

Rules of Access and Admission Requirements: 

  • A relevant Master’s degree.
  • Refer to the Academic Regulations of the University of Johannesburg.

Pass Requirements

1. In conjunction with the research supervisor/s, the Department of Optometry Research Committee shall appoint for each thesis three examiners, who shall be responsible for external examination.
2. A minimum of one of the external examiners shall be based external to the country.

Curriculum

  • A student for a Doctoral degree shall be required to pursue an approved programme of research on some subject falling within the scope of the studies represented in the Department of Optometry.
  • Such programme shall make a distinct contribution to the knowledge or understanding of the subject and afford evidence of originality shown either by the discovery of new facts and/or by the exercise of independent critical power.
  • A research thesis. The research component is 100%.