Graduate Seminar in Vision Science

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

120 hours.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject provides advanced critical appraisal of contemporary and controversial issues in vision science. Each week, students will attend a 1-hour seminar on recent research completed in the vision sciences. Students will also attend a 1 hour discussion of a recent publication in the field (reflecting a fundamental idea or a controversy of competing ideas or empirical evidence), that will form that basis of critical discussion. The choice of issues to be discussed will be determined at the start of the subject.

• A detailed understanding of selected contemporary issues in vision science.
• The capacity to critically appraise theoretical concepts and empirical tests of those concepts.
• The capacity to articulate complex ideas in both an oral and written format.
• An appreciation of these topics in a broader picture.

One one-hour seminar presentation (35%) and written supporting material (1000 words, 15%) given throughout the semester.
Six peer reviews (totalling 3000 words), due evenly throughout the semester: (30%)
Seminar participation (20%)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

At the completion of the subject, students should gain skills in:

• High level oral and written communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of their specialised discipline.
• Leading group discussions of complex issues, and providing persuasive intellectual arguments.
• The ability to examine critically, synthesise, and evaluate knowledge.
• Critical and creative thinking with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning.