Optometry degree program educates experts in vision health care as a rule of private sector employment.
Optometrists are vision specialists. They have expertise in the core studies in the eye examination and ocular health care. They sell, glaze and repair spectacles and fit contact lenses and low vision aids. In addition to the core domain, they manage the principles of business sector and they have the ability to get along with a different people. They are able to apply their knowledge to work in change.
The program aims to give the students a diverse, international and collaborative learning environment for the development of professional optometrist. Students get during the education a clear professional identity and ethic to work independently as part of the Finnish and European vision care in co-operation with different actors. The student will develop interest in their own professional skills in working life and work in their fields to assess and develop. During the program, students gain the skills to operate the business customer service and management positions.
The curriculum consists of 30 credit points (0.5 years) of study modules, which are in chronological order. Initial studies include the knowledge and skills that are required when operating in a customer service optical store. Next, focus on the function of the eye and prescribing spectacles, as well as the formation of visual perception. Mid-stage studies include contact lens fitting and research and development studies, and the second half focuses on the examination of the eye health well as elective studies so that students expand their knowledge in a multi-professional group. Professional studies include 30 credits of workplacement in outside the university.
The first half of the basic studies support the student's information gathering and communication skills, as well as orienting them to health care and the optical field as a new professional. Methodological Studies support the critical thinking skills and the latter part of the innovation studies and thesis offer the possibility of multi-disciplinary and innovative work in conjunction with the labor market. Entrepreneurship studies provide basic information about the business operations and management. Advanced studies of entrepreneurship and business activities can be completed with elective studies. International skills include Swedish and English language competence and the student exchange, and that is made possible during the fifth semester.
Development
Curriculum of the Degree Programme in Optometry is developed as a pan-European description. Optometrists work in Finland is expected to focus more and more to eye examination, and the traditional work with spectacle glazing and selling reduced. The new rights to the use of diagnostic drugs, fitting contact lenses and low vision aids set to make new demands on the knowledge. When developing this curriculum we have used a Syllabus of the European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO), the Europa Diploma as a model but taking into account the Finnish legislation and national needs. In the future, the curriculum will be assessed by ECOO's accreditation and the learning outcomes will be test by a neutral party.
The curriculum structure was changed according to the instructions of Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences so that the course is a minimum of five credits, and the curriculum includes a few large 10-15 credits courses. These courses are intended to carry out a project, in which case the student will focus on one main subject areas at a time. The new curriculum structure is presented to the Advisory Board.
Satu Autio
AMK-tutkintoon johtavien opintojen tavoitteena on, että tutkinnon suorittaneella on riittävä viestintä- ja kielitaito oman alansa tehtäviin sekä kansainväliseen toimintaan ja yhteistyöhön. (Valtioneuvoston asetus ammattikorkeakoulusta 1129/2014, 4 §).
Professional English
Vieraan kielen kirjallinen ja suullinen taito, joka ammatin harjoittamisen ja ammatillisen kehityksen kannalta on tarpeellinen.
Ruotsin kielen taito, joka julkisyhteisöjen henkilöstöltä vaadittavasta kielitaidosta annetun lain (424/2003) mukaan vaaditaan korkeakoulututkintoa edellyttävään virkaan kaksikielisellä virka-alueella ja joka ammatin harjoittamisen ja ammatillisen kehityksen kannalta on tarpeellinen.
