Faculty of Science : Guide to courses

11. Bachelor of Optometry

Table of Contents

 11. Bachelor of Optometry

Optometry is a professional discipline based on the optical and visual sciences. The practice of optometry involves the diagnosis and treatment of functional disorders of the eye and vision: the optometrist's job is to solve patients' visual problems.

The practice of optometry is regulated by the Optometrists Registration Act in each state of Australia. Under these Acts the practice of optometry can be carried out only by those whose names appear on the register of optometrists. Graduates holding the Bachelor of Optometry degree of the University of Melbourne are qualified to be registered for the practice of optometry in each State and Territory of Australia and in New Zealand.

 11.1. Course objectives

This course has as its objectives that graduates:

• have a sound foundation in the physical, chemical, mathematical and biological sciences, and in particular have a good knowledge and understanding of human biology;

• understand the passage of light through lenses and optical systems (including the eye) and are able to predict and measure the nature and quality of optical images;

• have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the performance and function of the human visual system;

• understand the dysfunctions and diseases of the eye and visual system and know their genesis, natural course, treatment and prognosis;

• have acquired skill in the techniques necessary for the examination of the eye and the assessment of visual function;

• have developed skills in problem identification, in deciding on effective strategies to gather information for the resolution of these problems, in weighing evidence prudently and in making decisions, and are able to apply these skills to scientific problems in the visual and clinical sciences as well as to particular problems presented by patients.

• have developed the interpersonal and communication skills necessary in relationships with patients and professional colleagues and for the communication of the results of scientific enquiries;

• are professionally competent in the practice of optometry and are able to gain registration by the appropriate professional body;

• have the knowledge, skill and attitude to enable adaptation to scientific, technological and social change, have a sense of intellectual curiosity and a desire for life-long learning, and a capacity to be creative and innovative;

• have a strongly developed sense of professional and ethical responsibility for patients, colleagues and the community generally, and are aware of the moral and legal responsibilities of professional practice.

 11.2. Selection into the Optometry course

 11.2.1. First year entry

There are likely to be 28 HECS places in the first year of the course. There will be a further 10 places for full fee paying overseas and Australian students. Selection is based predominantly on the Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank (ENTER) and on performance in prerequisite studies. International Baccalaureate and interstate applicants will have an ENTER calculated for selection purposes. Australian full fee paying students must have an ENTER of at least 94.

 11.2.2. Second year entry

There are likely to be 32 HECS places and 10 full fee paying places in the second year of the course. This means that any place relinquished by a first year student and an additional four HECS places can be offered to students who have completed the equivalent of the first year of the Optometry course as a student in a science course at The University of Melbourne or another tertiary institution. Selection into second year is based on an evaluation of both VCE examination results (or their equivalent) and the examination results of completed tertiary studies. Preference is given to applicants who have completed a science degree.

 11.2.3. Third year entry

BSc graduates who have passes in the subjects completed by BOptom students can be considered for a place in the third year of the BOptom course.

Diplomates in optometry from the Singapore Polytechnic with A/B grades may be admitted to the third year of the course with credit for the first two years of the BOptom course and for 526-306 Microbiology (Optometry) and 531-201 Basic Principles of Pathology but they must study the subject 655-801 Biological Foundations of Clinical Optometry in addition to the remaining subjects of the third year. Up to five places are available for Singapore diplomates seeking third year entry.

 11.3. Course structure and planning

As shown below, the Optometry course is essentially fixed, although there is some opportunity for choice of subjects in the first year. Students will plan the first year of their studies with a Faculty Adviser at the introductory sessions the Faculty organises for new students.

Students will be automatically enrolled in the subjects forming each of the later years of the course providing they have passed all subjects in the previous year.

 11.3.1. Optometry course

 11.3.1.1. 100-Level (First year)

• 600-141 Biology of Cells and Organisms and 600-142 Genetics & the Evolution of Life;

• 610-141 Chemistry and 610-142 Chemistry;

• 640-121 Physics (Advanced) A and 640-122 Physics (Advanced) B

  or 640-141 Physics A and 640-142 Physics B

  or 640-161 Physics:Principles & Applications A and 640-162 Physics:Principles & Applications B;

• 620-121 Mathematics A (Advanced) or 620-141 Mathematics A (or before 1998 618-121 or 618-141);

• 655-101 Optical Systems.

Note that:

• The first year Physics and Mathematics subjects selected by Optometry students depends primarily on their performance in relevant subjects completed at Year 12 level.

  Students should refer to the actual Physics and Mathematics subject entries (and in particular, the prerequisite statement) to determine which Physics and Mathematics subjects to choose. Faculty Advisers will also help with this decision at the time of enrolment.

• Chemistry subjects 610-161 and 610-162 cannot be completed as part of the BOptom course.

• Students who have very good results in Year 12 Mathematics and Physics may be permitted to substitute any other University subject of equivalent workload for Mathematics. Students wishing to do this must obtain written approval from the Head of the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences.

 11.3.1.2. 200-Level (Second year)

• 516-201 Histology;

• 516-203 Ocular Anatomy;

• 516-208 Structure and Function of the Brain;

• 521-204 Biochemistry and the Eye

• 536-206 Physiology (Optometry);

• 655-210 Optical Design and Metrology;

• 655-221 Human Visual Functions

• 655-222 Visual Processing and Control

 11.3.1.3. 300-Level (Third year)

• 526-306 Microbiology (Optometry)

• 534-307 Ocular Pharmacology

• 655-321 Visual Physiology and Perception

• 655-330 Functional Disorders Of Vision

• 655-340 Diseases Of The Eye

• 655-350 Ophthalmic Prosthetics

 11.3.1.4. 400-Level (Fourth year)

• 655-410 Optometry

• 655-420 Community Optometry

The clinical year (fourth year) has 32 weeks. Students will be advised of the precise dates by the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences.

 11.4. Unsatisfactory progress rules for BOptom students

The Faculty of Science annually reviews the academic progress of all Bachelor of Optometry students. Students who do not pass at least 60 per cent of the points attempted in any one academic year or fail a subject more than once, have not made satisfactory progress and may be suspended from the course.

Students should note that failed subjects must be repeated, and that any failure will, most probably, increase the length of time required to complete the BOptom course.

 11.4.1. Student Progress Committee

Students are given an opportunity to make a written submission or to appear before the Committee or to do both. The Committee will usually consider the student's results and any extenuating circumstances, such as personal difficulties, financial hardship and study problems, before making one of the following decisions:

1. take no action (i.e. the student is able to re-enrol with no restrictions after meeting with a Student Adviser);

2. to restrict the student's enrolment for one academic year (i.e. place limitations on the subjects that the student can undertake);

3. recommend to the Academic Board that the student be suspended from the BOptom course. Students recommended for suspension have the right to appeal to the Academic Board before a final decision is made.

Students suspended from the BOptom can apply for re-selection. Re-selection can generally only be considered if the student has demonstrated, by the completion of relevant tertiary studies, that there is a reasonable chance that they would successfully complete the BOptom if re-admitted to the course. Relevant studies completed at another tertiary institution, or through the University of Melbourne Community Access Program, can be used to show that a student is now capable of completing the BOptom course.

Status:                   Official 1999
Last Modified:            Tuesday October 20 11:52
SGML to HTML Conversion:  Information Technology Services
Authorised by:            Academic Registrar
Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au