MPhil Vision Science Programme

The School of Optometry and Vision Science (SOVS) was established in 2024 following the elevation of the former Department of Optometry and Vision Science (DOVS), which had been a department under the School of Allied Health Sciences since its inception in 2002. The School now comprises three departments: Department of Clinical Optometry, Department of Ophthalmic Science, and Department of Vision Science. The MPhil Vision Science programme is hosted under the Department of Vision Science.

Vision science is a multidisciplinary field encompassing the physical, anatomical, physiological and psychological aspects of vision. It integrates disciplines such as computer science, engineering, mathematics, optics, physics, psychology and other behavioural sciences into eye health and vision.

Ghana as a developing country faces a huge burden of blindness and visual impairment, expected to be compounded by the increasing and ageing population. The complex nature of eye and vision related problems (cataracts, glaucoma, refractive errors, diabetic retinopathy, etc.) require a multidisciplinary approach in understanding and tackling them effectively. The Ghana National Eye Care Agenda seeks to reduce the burden of blindness and visual impairment by 25% by 2030. The vision science programme will produce personnel with advanced knowledge and research skills to generate the body of knowledge to build a quality eye care system to help the country achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3 of health for all by 2030.

This MPhil programme in Vision Science at UCC is unique in the sense that it encompasses a broader scope of vision science ranging from optics, psychophysics, neuroscience and visual electrophysiology as stated in the electives. The MPhil programme also incorporates elements of entrepreneurial, innovative and local assembly and/or production for students learning and practice.

The University of Cape Coast was established out of the need for highly qualified and skilled manpower in teaching and in the development of the nation's human resources. It was thus established to train graduate teachers for second-cycle institutions, technical institutes, and training colleges. The University became independent in October 1971 and since then it has expanded into five colleges, 17 faculties/schools, and about 106 academic departments running diverse academic programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The Department of Optometry and Vision Science, established in 2002, is one of the departments in the School of Allied Health Sciences. The Department has over time, expanded its operations in teaching, research, and outreach, providing academic mentorship to the School of Dispensing Optics at Oyoko and operating three training and service delivery centres: the Department of Optometry clinic, the UCC eye clinic, and the CCTU eye clinic at Cape Coast Technical University. These developments led to the formal establishment of the School of Optometry and Vision Science (SOVS) in 2024.

Holders of first degree in Optometry or any basic sciences with at least second-class lower division.
Holders of non-research Master's degree in optometry or any basic sciences with CGPA of 2.5 or better (top-up to MPhil).
All applicants must attend and pass a selection interview.

The University of Cape Coast is an equal opportunity University uniquely positioned to provide quality education through the provision of comprehensive, liberal and professional programmes that challenge learners to be creative, innovative and morally responsible citizens.

Admission Requirements

In order to qualify for an offer of admission: Applicant must have passes in six(6) subjects with Overall aggregate of 36/24 or better for WASSCE/SSCE applicants, respectively.

Thus, an applicant must have passes in three core subjects and three elective subjects. Three of the six subjects should be in English Language, Core Mathematics, Integrated Science or Social Studies and three must be in relevant electives.

Admission Requirements

Grading System For Wassce Applicants

Grade	Numerical Value
A1	1
B2	2
B3	3
C4	4
C5	5
C6	6

Grading System For Sssce Applicants

Grade	Numerical Value
A	1
B	2
C	3
D	4

For the purposes of admission, a pass in

WASSCE means Grade A1 – C6
SSCE means Grade A – D

Applicants must have good passes in English Language, Core Mathematics and Integrated Science or Social Studies and in three of the required electives.

In order words, all the six subjects used in the computation of the aggregate must be C6 or better.

Code	Title	Credits
SGS801	Academic Writing For Graduate Students	3
OPT802	Ocular Diagnosis and Disease Management	3
OPT805	Paediatric Optometry and Special Needs Assessment	4
OPV814	Graduate Research Seminar I	3
OPV899	Thesis	12
Total credit hours	25

Code	Title	Credits
OPT810	Healthcare Administration and Practice Management	3
OPT811	Advanced Contact Lens Practice	3
OPT806	Ageing and Geriatric Optometry	6
OPV815	Graduate Research Seminar Ii	3
OPV899	Thesis	12
Total credit hours	27

Code	Title	Credits
SGS801	Academic Writing For Graduate Students	3
OPT802	Ocular Diagnosis and Disease Management	3
OPT810	Healthcare Administration and Practice Management	3
OPT811	Advanced Contact Lens Practice	3
Total credit hours	12

Code	Title	Credits
OPT805	Paediatric Optometry and Special Needs Assessment	4
OPT806	Ageing and Geriatric Optometry	6
Total credit hours	10

Code	Title	Credits
OPV814	Graduate Research Seminar I	3
OPV899	Thesis	12
OPV815	Graduate Research Seminar Ii	3
Total credit hours	18

Course Requirements: A candidate for the BCom (Accounting) degree must pass all courses taken, meet Inter-Faculty course requirements.
Credit Requirements: A candidate must accumulate a minimum of 140 credits (including Advance Credits).
Additional Requirements: The candidate must attain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 1.0. In addition, the candidate must have settled financial and other obligations to the university.

Graduates will work with the Ministry of Health and its agencies, multi-national organisations such as WHO, universities and research centres. Employment opportunities also exist in NGOs, security agencies, and optical laboratories.

The target group are optometrists, psychologists, neuroscientists, pharmacologists, computer scientists and other basic scientists who wish to gain advanced knowledge and expertise in vision research.