Curriculum for the Doctor Of Optometry Degree

Summary (2021-2022, 2022-2023 Catalog)

Year of Study Credits Lecture Hours Laboratory Hours Conference Laboratory Screening Hours Clinic Hours
First Year 44.5 450 255 82.5 0 40
Second Year 41.10 (43.10) 465 228 (228) 22.5 60 20
Third Year 38.66 277.5 60 142.5 0 390
Fourth Year 26 15 0 0 0 1600
Program Totals 150.26 (152.26) 1,207.5 543 (603) 247.5 60 2,050
Total Program Hours 4,108-4,168

Sequential (2021-2022, 2022-2023 Catalog)

Term Opto Course Credits
1st Year: Fall BMS1 Systemic Biomedical Sciences 1 4
OPT1 Applied Optics 1 4
IOA1 Integrative Ocular Anatomy and Physiology 1 2.5
GCP0 General Concepts in Pharmacology 1
PPO1 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 1 1
PPL1 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 1 Laboratory 1
EPH0 Epidemiology and Public Health 2
POE0 Profession of Optometry and Ethics (1)
DCC1 Human Development and Cultural Competency in Optometry 1 2
CSC1 Conversational Spanish Communication Laboratory 1 (1)
1st Year: Spring BMS2 Systemic Biomedical Sciences 2 4
OPT2 Applied Optics 2 4
IOA2 Integrative Ocular Anatomy and Physiology 2 3
APH1 Applied Pharmacology 1 3
PPO2 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 2 1
CCL2 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 2 Laboratory 1
DCC2 Human Development and Cultural Competency in Optometry 2 2
CSC2 Conversational Spanish Communication Laboratory 2 (1)
CLK0 Clinical Clerkships .50
1st Year: Summer (June) PFCO Perception of Light, Form and Color 3.5
OMO0 Ocular Motility 2

Term Opto Course Credits
2nd Year: Fall BMS3 Systemic Biomedical Sciences 3 4
OPT3 Applied Optics 3 4
BVP0 Binocular Vision and Perception 3
DIS1 Ocular Diseases 1 3
APH2 Applied Pharmacology 2 3
PPO3 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 3 2
PPL3 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 3 Laboratory 1.50
ICD1 Integrative Optometric Case Discussions 1 0.50
CSC3 Conversational Spanish Communication Laboratory 3 (Elective) (1)
SCR0 Vision Screening 0.50
2nd Year: Spring CMO0 Clinical Medicine Optometry 1.50
OPT4 Applied Optics 4 1.50
PCL0 Primary Care Contact Lenses 3
DVT1 Developmental Optometry and Vision Therapy 1 3
DIS2 Ocular Diseases 2 3
GDT0 Glaucoma Diagnosis and Treatment 2
PP04 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 4 3
PPL4 Principles and Practice of Primary Care Optometry 4 Laboratory 1.50
ICD2 Integrative Optometric Case Discussion 2 .50
CSC4 Conversational Spanish Communication Laboratory 4 (Elective) (1)
SCK0 Vision Screening and Clerkship 0.50
CSA0 Comprehensive Clinic Skills Assessment 0.10

Term Opto Course Credits
3rd Year: Summer (July) VIR0 Optometric Research 2
 
  PCO1 Patient Care 1 0.66
 
3rd Year: Fall CLA0 Advance Contact Lenses 1.50
 
  DVT2 Developmental Optometry and Vision Therapy 2 3
 
DIS3 Ocular Diseases 3 2
 
PLV0 Primary Care Low Vision 3
 
NOP0 Nutrition in Optometry 1
 
ICD3 Integrative Optometric Case Discussion 3 1
 
DOP0 Diversity in Optometry 2
 
PCO2 Patient Care 2 4
 
3rd Year: Spring AVT0 Advanced Vision Therapy (Elective) 1.50
 
  ALV0 Advanced Low Vision (Elective) 1.50
 
NOR0 Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation (Elective) 1.50
 
AEP0 Advanced Electrophysiology (Elective) 1.50
 
SSV0 Sports Vision (Elective) 1.50
 
PMN0 Publishable Manuscript Submission (Elective) 1.50
 
COD0 Complex Case Discussion (Elective) 1.50
 
ODM0 Ocular Disorders Management 2
 
ILS0 Injections, Lasers and Ocular Surgical Care 2
 
EBO0 Clinical Reasoning and Evidence-Based Optometry 1
 
RSM0 Review Seminar 0.50
 
PRM0 Practice Management 1.50
 
PCO3 Patient Care 3 4
 

Term Opto Course Credits
4th Year Clinic Program OGR1 Optometric Clinic Grand Rounds 1 – First Semester 0.50
OGR2 Optometric Clinic Grand Rounds 2 – Second Semester 0.50
PC40 Primary Eye Care Services and Specialty Clinics 2.5
PC41 COSSMA Cidra Clinic 2.5
PC42 Caguas Clinic 2.5
PC43 Santurce Clinic 2.5
PC44 Hato Rey Clinic 2.5
PC45 Juana Diaz Clinic 2.5
PC46 Bayamón Mobile Unit 2.5
PC47 San Juan Mobile Unit 2.5
PC48 Extended Bayamón Clinic: 8 Weeks 5
PC49 Extended Bayamón Clinic: 4 Weeks 2.5
PC50 Extended COSSMA Cidra Clinic: 4 Weeks 2.5
PC51 Extended Caguas Clinic: 4 Weeks 2.5
PC52 Extended Santurce Clinic: 4 Weeks 2.5
PC53 Extended Hato Rey Clinic: 4 Weeks 2.5
PC54 Extended Juana Diaz Clinic: 4 Weeks 2.5
LE01 Local Externship Site 1 2.5
LE02 Local Externship Site 2 2.5
LE03 Local Externship Site 3 5
LE04 Local Externship Site 4 5
EA01 Abroad Externship Site 1 2.5
EA02 Abroad Externship Site 2 2.5
EA03 Abroad Externship Site 3 5
EA04 Abroad Externship Site 4 5
Program Total Credits 150.26

Integrative teaching is emphasized in both the Academic Department (didactic teaching) and Patient Care Department (clinical instruction) in the new curriculum. The concept is to provide students with a clinical perspective in basic science concepts, thereby developing conceptually based clinical reasoning skills applicable to entry-level practice.

The Academic Department is no longer differentiated into a Basic Science Department and a Clinical Science Department. Hence, courses under this curricular structure are not to be defined as purely basic science courses or clinical science courses. They are assembled and taught in one of the following three manners:

• as conceptually-inclined courses with clinical relevance
• as clinically-inclined courses with conceptual significance
• as a parallel–corresponding courses with equivalent conceptual and clinical relevance

Common denominators among courses in these categories are intended to facilitate the students’ ability to develop clinical reasoning with a conceptual background. Based on this model, emphasis on concept and application varies depending on the course modality.

Presentation of material will be cohesive and synchronized by either integrating or correlating basic and clinical concepts. Conceptually inclined courses and clinically inclined courses require an integrative presentation, whereas parallel-corresponding courses are presented correlatively. Integrative
presentations of conceptually inclined courses involve discussion of clinical associations that are pertinent to the predominant basic science topic taught. In the same manner, clinically inclined courses are taught providing basic science concepts related to the clinical topic
discussed to provide background comprehension.

Parallel-corresponding courses consist of proportioned presentations of health concepts related to primary ocular diseases and ocular diseases secondary to systemic conditions, with their respective clinical applications utilizing a complementary approach. Elective courses also form part of the new curriculum. The purpose of these courses is for optometric student to further enhance their knowledge in specific areas within optometry
in order to encourage the students to apply for optometric residency programs. All these electives are to be offered in the spring term of the third year and all will be evaluated on a pass/no pass basis. The optometric third-year student must enroll in five elective courses.

Residency Program

Primary Eye Care Residency – IAUPR

Mission

The program expects to provide post-graduate training so that the resident can develop proficiency in areas of primary care optometry, gain experience with multidisciplinary settings, and obtain training in pre-and-post -ophthalmic operative care. The program also will provide the resident with experience in teaching and scholarly activities, so that he or she may further pursue a career in education and research.

Program Goals

  • Provide post-graduate training, which develops the proficiency necessary to become a full-scope primary care practitioner
  • Develop quality clinical educators and clinical researcher

Program Description

  • One-year residency program (beginning by the third week of August)
  • A yearly stipend of $40,000 with benefits
  • Health Insurance benefits from IAUPR
  • Professional Liability Protection from IAUPR
  • Vacations as stipulated by the Academic Calendar of the IAUPRSO
  • Sick leave: According to the Faculty Manual, page 38, section 4.6.1.1 Full time faculty accumulates sick days of 1-1/2 days per month, that is 18 days per year. Sick absences of greater than two days requires a note from a physician.
  • No tuition or fees
  • Position: One
  • Workload: 80% (32 hours per week) in Clinical, 20% (8 hours per week) in Didactical
  • Accreditation status: Accredited by ACOE
  • Bilingual School’s Setting with Spanish’s speaking patients

Residency Experience

  • Scholarly and teaching experience
  • Clinical experience Worksites:
    • IAUPR’s Clinic Sites (Own transportation strongly recommended)
    • External Rotations at ophthalmology sites
    • Specialty areas rotation in Contact lenses, Pediatrics, Visual Training, Low Vision, Electro-diagnostics, Prothesis
  • Library and research resources
  • Administration time

Requirements for Completion:

  • The resident will demonstrate the necessary proficiency to become a full scope primary eye care practitioner through six outcomes.
  • The resident will demonstrate knowledge and skills as an educator and clinical researcher through three outcomes.
  • Optometry License in a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
  • Completion of Part I, II, III, and TMOD of National Boards Examination in Optometry (NBEO).
  • Successful Clinical & Didactic evaluations.
  • Publishable quality paper.

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Applicant must have successfully completed parts I, II, III, and TMOD of National Boards of Examiners in Optometry as a requisite for admission to the residency program.
  2. Candidates must be eligible to be licensed as an optometrist in a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
  3. Recommendation letters: Three (3) are requested. One should be from the clinical director of graduating institution or chief academic officer. Two others from full-time faculty members have been involved with the applicant’s education.
  4. A brief essay stating reasons for applying to a program that is addressed to primary eye care is requested.
  5. Applicant should submit Curriculum Vitae and be available for interview.
  6. Knowledge of basic conversational Spanish language is required to communicate with the majority of the patient population although the English language is the official written language.
  7. Candidates must earn the degree of Doctor of Optometry from a school or college of optometry accredited by the Council on Optometric Education prior to the starting date of the residency program.
  8. IAUPR affirms that all candidates are evaluated without regard to sex, race, color, creed, origin, or disabilities.

Application Process

  1. Candidates must complete the application through the ORMatch. Deadline: February 1. For more INFO, refer to the ORMatch Webpage.
  2. All serious applicants are encouraged to arrange a site visit.

Contact information

For additional information contact
Coordinator name: Ariette Acevedo Telephone: 787-765-1915 Fax: 787-756-7351 Email:aacevedo@opto.inter.edu

Academic Calendar

UNIVERSIDAD INTERAMERICANA DE PUERTO RICO

CALENDARIO ACADÉMICO-ADMINISTRATIVO

VERANO 2024

SESIÓN JULIO (2025-04)

Periodo

Eventos Académicos y Fiscales

2 de junio al 3 de julio de 2024

“Disbursement Memo”

2 de junio al 29 de junio de 2024

Selección de cursos y pago de matrícula *

Junio

29

sábado

Último día para darse de baja parcial con reembolso del 100% del costo de los créditos (sin incluir cuotas)

 

29

sábado

Último día para darse de baja total 100% del costo total de la matrícula (incluyendo cuotas)**

Julio

1

lunes

Inicio de clases

 

1

lunes

Período de matrícula tardía y cambio de clases

 

2

martes

Cancelación de cursos a los estudiantes que no hayan pagado la matrícula

 

2

martes

Último día para darse de baja parcial con reembolso del 75% de los derechos de matrícula

 

3

miércoles

Último día para darse de baja parcial con reembolso del 50% de los derechos de matrícula

 

3

miércoles

Último día para que los profesores entren la “AW” en el registro electrónico, sí aplica

 

4

jueves

Feriado: Independencia de los Estados Unidos de América

 

5

viernes

Último día para que la Gerencia registre cambios en la matrícula de los estudiantes.  Cut-off Date/Enrollment Process”

 

6

sábado

Acreditación de ayudas económicas para los estudiantes y reembolso***

 

9 – 10

martes – miércoles

Envío de cheques a estudiantes y Depósito Directo

 

25

jueves

Feriado: Constitución de Puerto Rico

 

29

lunes

Último día para darse de baja parcial o total con la anotación de “W” y para presentar cualquier reclamación relacionada con los informes de calificaciones de la sesión anterior

 

29

lunes

Último día de clases

Julio

30

martes

Exámenes finales

 

31

miércoles

Último día para la entrada de calificaciones al Registro Electrónico

 

 

 

*    Cada unidad utilizará los días que estime necesarios.

**   Para bajas totales aplique la Política y Procedimiento Institucional de Reembolso y Repago

*** A partir de esta fecha habrá acreditación todos los martes y jueves, y los viernes habrá acreditación y reembolso hasta el 24 de junio de 2025.  El envío de cheques a estudiantes se hará no más tarde de tres (3) días después del proceso de reembolso.

 

 

Firmado en documento original

Jacqueline Álvarez Peña, PhD

Vicepresidenta de Asuntos Académicos

y Estudiantiles

 

Orlando González González, CPA, MBA

Vicepresidente de Gerencia,

Finanzas y Servicios Sistémicos

 

Fecha de publicación original:  21 de mayo de 2024

 

INTER AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO

SCHOOL OF OPTOMETRY

Academic-Administrative Calendar for First Semester

Academic Year 2024-2025

FOURTH YEAR STUDENTS

(2025-11, Part of Term 1)

Period

Academic and Fiscal Event

April 1 to June 8, 2024

“Disbursement Memo”

May 2024

 

23 – 24

Thursday – Friday

Registration of fourth year students

24

Friday

Book Advance to eligible student*

25

Saturday

Last day for students to decline the Advances

27

Monday

Holiday:  Memorial Day

30

Thursday

Student account update to decline the Advances

30

Thursday

Last day for withdrawal from individual clinic rotations with a refund of 100% of tuition cost (fees not included)

30

Thursday

Last day for withdrawal from all clinic rotations with a refund of 100% of tuition cost (fees included)

June 2024

 

3

Monday

Late registration

3

Monday

First day of the Fourth Year Clinic Program for the completion of weeks 1 – 20

5

Wednesday

Last day for withdrawal from individual clinic rotations with a refund of 75% of tuition cost

7

Friday

Last day for withdrawal from individual clinic rotations with a refund of 50% of tuition cost

7

Friday

Cancellation of clinic rotations to students who have not paid registration

8

Saturday

Last day for faculty to enter the AW to the “Interweb Roll Book”

10

Monday

Last day for the Administration to make registration changes.  Cut-off Date/ENRL Process

19

Wednesday

Holiday: Juneteenth National Independence Day

28

Friday

First payment extension due

July 2024

 

 

1

Monday

Accreditation of financial aid to students and Refund Process*

2 – 3

Tuesday – Wednesday

Check delivery to students and direct deposit

4

Thursday

Holiday:  Independence Day of the United States of America

23

Tuesday

Second payment extension due

25

Thursday

Holiday:  Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Day

27

Saturday

Holiday:  José Celso Barbosa Birthday

July 31 – August 4

Wednesday-Sunday

NBEO ABS study days:  only for those taking NBEO ABS session August 5, 2024, who present evidence to the fact

August 2024

 

1 – 5

Thursday – Monday

NBEO ABS study days:  only for those taking NBEO ABS session August 6, 2024, who present evidence to the fact

5

Monday

NBEO ABS ***:  only for those taking NBEO ABS who present evidence to the fact

6

Tuesday

NBEO ABS ***:  only for those taking NBEO ABS who present evidence to the fact

17

Saturday

Third payment extension due

September 2024

 

2

Monday

Holiday:  Labor Day

October 2024

 

3

Thursday

Last day for students to apply removal of incomplete grades of the previous semester

14

Monday

Holiday: Columbus Day. For interns in in-house rotations

November 2024

 

1

Friday

Last day to complete weeks 1 – 20 of Fourth Year clinic rotations

 

*    Advances checks delivery to eligible students during the first week of classes.

**   After this date, there will be accreditation every Tuesday and Thursday, and Friday there will be an accreditation and Refund Process until June 24, 2025.  Check delivery will be made not later than three (3) days after refund.

*** To be excused from the School duties (clinic) the student must present evidence of NBEO exam to the Director of Patient Care and Module Chief at least one month (1) before the board exam. Once the student finishes the board examination, he/she must report back to the scheduled duties the day after the board exam was taken.

Signed on original document

Jacqueline Álvarez Peña, PhD

Vice President for Academic

and Student Affairs

 

Orlando González González, CPA, MBA

Vice President for Management, Finance and Systemic Services

 

Original publication date:  May 21, 2024

 

FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD YEAR STUDENTS

(2025-11, Part of Term 0)

Period

Academic and Fiscal Events

May 1 to August 14, 2024

“Disbursement Memo”

August 2024

 

1 – 2

Thursday – Friday

Registration for 2nd and 3rd year students

2

Friday

Last day for withdrawal from individual courses with a refund of 100% of tuition cost (fees not included)

2

Friday

Last day for withdrawal from all courses with a refund of 100% of tuition cost (fees included)

7

Wednesday

First day of classes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd year

7

Wednesday

Last day to pay tuition and fee

7 – 13

Wednesday -Tuesday

Late registration and class changes

9

Friday

Last day for withdrawal from individual courses with a refund of 75% of tuition cost

13

Tuesday

Cancellation of courses to students who have not paid registration

13

Tuesday

Last day for withdrawal from individual courses with a refund of 50% of tuition cost

14

Wednesday

Last day for faculty to enter the “AW” to the “InterWeb Roll Book”

15

Thursday

Last day for the Administration to make registration changes. “Cut-off Date/Enrollment Process”

17

Saturday

First accreditation of aid to students

19

Monday

Second accreditation of aid to students and Refund Process*

21 – 22

Wednesday -Thursday

Check delivery to students & Direct Deposit

September 2024

 

2

Monday

Holiday:  Labor Day

3

Tuesday

First payment extension due

October 2024

 

1

Tuesday

Second payment extension due

14

Monday

Holiday:  Columbus’ Day

October 2024

 

15

Tuesday

Last day for students to apply for removal of incomplete grades of the previous semester

25

Friday

Last day for partial withdrawal with “W” and to submit any complaints related to the grades of the previous term

November 2024

 

1

Friday

Third payment extension due

5

Tuesday

Holiday:  General Election Day

11

Monday

Holiday:  Veterans Day

19

Tuesday

Holiday:  Discovery of Puerto Rico

26

Tuesday

Last day for complete withdrawal with “W”

26

Tuesday

Last day of classes

Nov. 27 -Dec.1

Wednesday – Sunday

Academic Recess: Thanksgiving

December 2024

 

2

Monday

Study day final examinations

3

Tuesday

Final examinations period begins

13

Friday

Final examinations period ends

18

Wednesday

Last day to enter grades to the “InterWeb Roll Book”

December 21, 2024 to January 7, 2025

Academic and Administrative Recess

*    After this date, there will be accreditation every Tuesday and Thursday, and Friday there will be an accreditation and Refund Process until June 24, 2025.  Check delivery will be made not later than three (3) days after refund.

Note:  Weekly class schedule may include Saturdays and Holidays.

Signed on original document

Jacqueline Álvarez Peña, PhD

Vice President for Academic

and Student Affairs

 

Orlando González González, CPA, MBA

Vice President for Management,

Finance and Systemic Services

 

Original publication date:  May 21, 2024

 

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