Bachelor of Optometry

There is no first year intake into this course after 2009.

For information about commencing studies in Optometry at the University of Melbourne from 2012 please visit the Future Students website.

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

This course's objectives are for graduates to:

• 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 be 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 (including therapeutic endorsement) 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 lifelong learning and a capacity to be creative and innovative; and

• 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.

The Bachelor of Optometry is a five-year course in which the first year covers the fundamental sciences (the pre-optometry year) and the remaining four years comprise the Bachelor of Optometry.

Pre-optometry year (1st year) and Bachelor of Optometry (2nd year)

Pre-optometry year (1st year)

There is no first year intake into this course after 2009.

The first year of the five year course is the pre-optometry year and covers the fundamental sciences.

Compulsory subjects:

• BIOL10004 Biology of Cells and Organisms
• BIOL10005 Genetics & The Evolution of Life
• CHEM10003 Chemistry 1
• CHEM10004 Chemistry 2
• OPTO10001 Vision: How The Eye Sees The World
• OPTO10002 Optics: From Rainbows to Digital Imaging

Plus one of

• PHYC10001 Physics 1: Advanced
• PHYC10003 Physics 1
• PHYC10005 Physics 1: Fundamentals

Plus one of

• PHYC10002 Physics 2: Advanced
• PHYC10004 Physics 2: Physical Science & Technology
• PHYC10006 Physics 2: Life Sciences & Environment

Bachelor of Optometry (2nd year)

Second year of the Bachelor of Optometry course.

Completion of 100 points of study.

All compulsory subjects:

• ANAT20005 Anatomy & Histology of the Eye
• PHYS20002 Physiology (Optometry)
• BCMB20001 Biochemistry and the Eye
• OPTO20002 Human Visual Functions
• PATH20002 Exploring Human Disease - Optometry
• MAST20017 Applied Statistics for Optometrists
• OPTO20001 Optical Design and Ophthalmic Metrology
• OPTO20003 Visual Processing and Control

Bachelor of Optometry (3rd year)

Third year of the Bachelor of Optometry course.

Completion of 100 points of study.

All compulsory subjects.

N.B. The following subjects are only offered by invitation of the Head of Department.

• OPTO30003 Practical Problems in Vision
• OPTO30004 Functional Disorders of Vision
• OPTO30006 Ophthalmic Dispensing Practice
• NEUR30001 Neural Basis of Vision
• PATH30005 Ocular Histopathology

Bachelor of Optometry (4th year)

Fourth year of the Bachelor of Optometry course.

Completion of 100 points of study.

All compulsory subjects.

Bachelor of Optometry (5th year)

Fifth year of the Bachelor of Optometry course.

Completion of 100 points of study.

All compulsory subjects.

NB. The fifth year of the Bachelor of Optometry is 32 weeks.

The Bachelor of Optometry course is not avaiable to new students.

For information about commencing studies in Optometry at the University of Melbourne from 2012 please visit the Future Studentswebsite.

Prospective students interested in undertaking studies to become an optometrist should also refer to the information about the Doctor of Optometry: http://graduate.science.unimelb.edu.au/programs/optometry.php

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the University’s programs. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their active and safe participation in a subject are encouraged to discuss this with the relevant subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Optometry is a professional discipline based on the optical and visual sciences. Optometry graduates from the University of Melbourne are qualified health professionals able to practice within Australia and in a number of other countries.

The optometry graduate has the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to effectively practice in their profession. Accordingly, they:

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

In addition, they 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.

Optometry graduates also have the interpersonal and communication skills necessary in relationships with patients and professional colleagues and for the communication of the results of scientific enquiries. They are professionally competent in the practice of optometry and are able to gain registration by the appropriate professional body. They 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.

In the longer term these graduates have the knowledge, skill and attitude to enable adaptation to scientific, technological and social change. They have a sense of intellectual curiosity and a desire for lifelong learning and a capacity to be creative and innovative. These attributes enable them to continue to develop their own professional abilities as well as contributing to the development of the profession as a whole and the understanding of the vision sciences.