College of Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Optometry

Your gateway to a top-notch career in healthcare!

The College of Health Sciences (CoHS) of the University of Buraimi, Sultanate of Oman is the right choice for those
aspiring to be at the forefront of health science education and health care delivery

College of Health Sciences

(CoHS)

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2013 University of Buraimi All Copyrights Reserved

Message from the Dean

Welcome to the College of Health Sciences of the University of Buraimi. The University of Buraimi (UoB) is located
in the oasis town of Buraimi on Omans border with the Emirate of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. It is a town
that is fast becoming a hub of higher education. UoB is a young private university duly licensed by the Ministry of
Higher Education of the Government of the Sultanate of Oman to offer programs in various disciplines including
Health Sciences.
It is UoBs goal to become a truly international University offering benchmarked programs of the highest quality to
the students in Oman.
The College of Health Sciences (CoHS) is one of the three constituent colleges of the UoB. Its programs in Health
Science disciplines are primarily modular in nature. The B.Sc. in Nursing and B.Sc. in Optometry programs offered
by CoHS are current and modern. Specifically, the Nursing program is allied with the University of Applied Sciences
Campus Vienna, Austria; and the Optometry program with the University of Bradford which was established in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England in the year
1966. It is a public research University.
The College endeavors to be at the forefront of health sciences education in Oman. It works closely with potential employers and involves them right from
the early stages of planning and course quality monitoring. Plans are being made to train students at the appropriate level for professional certification.
The CoHS is committed to promoting creativity and innovation in teaching and learning, including technology- mediated learning. As the CoHS is
philosophically based on the notion that learning precedes teaching, sound emphasis is placed on the continuing professional development of faculty
members. Memberships in international associations, subscriptions to scientifically rigorous, peer-reviewed academic publications, and enhancement of
the university library collection are all part of the strategic approach of the College. The college has established modern general purpose, and simulation
laboratories.
Come join the College that is fully committed to equipping you for a purposeful, rewarding career and future in Optometry. You will be glad that you made
the right choice!
Dr. J. F. Thomas
Dean, College of Health Sciences

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Program Information
UoBs Optometry program is a four year B.Sc. program consequent to the successful completion of a General Foundation Program. However, students are
essentially admitted to the full bachelor program of the UoB. Further relevance to Oman requirements and context influences the overall implementation.
The UoBs flexible approach to learning enables students to take responsibility for their own education by choosing courses considering a set of
prerequisites and co-requisites under the guidance of their academic advisors, which ensures systematic academic progress throughout students four
years of study.
In alignment with UoBs overarching approach to learning, the CoHS aims to provide holistic learning through traditional classroom activities aligned with practical
skill development. To ensure that the students develop the right attitude towards patient care, as well as the ability to perform clinical procedures accurately, the
College liaises with local hospitals for clinical training.
Optometry is an emerging allied health profession in the Gulf region. However it is a well established profession in many developed nations and it has
proved its worth by preventing blindness among large populations. Optometrists are among the frontline health care professionals because they deal with
preventable blindness, and primary eye care. The field of Optometry itself has grown so much that today there are Doctoral level programs in Optometry.
While the focus is on outcome-based education and student-centered learning, the CoHS ensures that its faculty members play a key role in transforming
the students into well-rounded professionals.
The CoHS is now a Resource Centre of the International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE).
The College has recruited highly qualified and experienced teachers and subject experts from various continents of the world. Students, therefore, gain a
more comprehensive world view of the issues influencing optometry as an art and a science. Faculty members are encouraged to conduct and participate in
continual professional development. Additionally, open communication, sharing of ideas, and peer to peer interaction are emphasized and implemented
accordingly. Active participation in research is one of the main goals of CoHS. Since the members of the faculty are encouraged to lead by example, the
college is planning to establish short courses to promote health and safety awareness in the local community.
Content quality improvement, implementation of contextual teaching and learning initiatives, and imbibing cultural values in learners are all central to the
tasks of the faculty members of the CoHS, and fundamental to the College, as a whole. A committee called the TaLENT Committee has been set up to receive
student input into decision making, particularly with regard to teaching and learning. The CoHS works closely with the Directorate of Student Affairs of the
UoB to ensure that the students get the best support at all times.
A student-initiated Health Sciences Club is being established to enable the students to showcase their talents, participate in competitions, and undertake
community engagement activities.
A robust academic advising initiative provides the framework for students academic life as each student is assigned a faculty advisor who serves as mentor.
A faculty member coordinates academic advising efforts. The CoHS encourages ongoing dialogue between students and academic advisors to help
students achieve and maintain general academic success.
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Program Goals
Because Optometry exemplifies devoted service to society, the students of CoHS Optometry program are trained in core optometry courses along with
allied courses, and experiential learning activities to:
Become professionally competent individuals, and socially relevant citizens.
To gain first-hand knowledge about the practice of optometry, and
Acquire the disciplined professional conduct and behavior that optometry demands.

Program Objectives:
The CoHS Optometry program aims to imbibe the students with the knowledge, skills, attitude and values required to efficiently and effectively serve
in hospitals, and community health establishments. Further it instills in them the entrepreneurial ability to start their own private service centers upon
graduation. The program focuses on these dual core objectives

Program Outcomes:
Graduates of the UoBs B.Sc. Optometry program will be able to do the following:
Perform in any professional setting exhibiting a high degree of professional competence infused with the principles of ethical practice of optometry.
Demonstrate innovation, initiative and problem solving ability while performing the primary care and preventive health tasks expected of optometrists,
and provide advice to patients on required further care.
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Program Competencies:
The CoHS B.Sc. Optometry program is designed to expose the students
to all aspects of optometry so that they will be able to provide primary eye
care services independently. Their role in early detection of uncorrected
refractive errors & diseases such as Cataract & Glaucoma will make a
significant contribution to the prevention of blindness in society.
Specific competencies include, but are not limited to the following:
Binocular vision assessment
Diagnosis and management of binocular vision anomalies
Supply and fitting of vision assistive devices
Ophthalmic referrals for secondary care

Graduation Requirements:
To be eligible for graduation from the undergraduate Optometry program,
students must comply with the following conditions:

Successfully complete all the courses as specified in their study plan

Successfully complete the graduation project (s)
Complete the internship period as specified and the internship project
Maintain a GPA of not less than 2.00
Students transferring from other universities/colleges must comply with
the UoBs Credit Transfer policy

Potential areas of Employment:

Optometrists are an integral part of the noble profession of medicine.
A wide range of employment opportunities exist for Optometrists in
hospitals, eye care centers, academic & research institutions on eye care,
and in the community. UoBs Optometry program trains the graduates for
independent practice and health sector entrepreneurship.
There will be no dearth of opportunities, locally and internationally for
Optometrists qualified from the CoHS of the UoB.

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Accreditation Information:
The B. Sc Optometry Program of UoB is duly approved by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) of the Government of the Sultanate of Oman.

Contact Information:
Dean, College of Health Sciences
P.O. Box 890, P.C. 512, Al Buraimi, Sultanate of Oman
Tel: +968 256 512 55 | Fax: +968 256 511 86
Email: thomas.f@uob.edu.om
Website : www.uob.edu.om

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thomas.f@uob.edu.om
www.uob.edu.om

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