Vision Science Project D

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Note: Distribution of time between specific tasks will be decided in negotiation with the supervisor, but an overall weekly commitment of 30 hours per week is expected for the research project

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 involves laboratory experimental research in an area of Vision Science. The project will be based in the laboratory of an academic staff member in the Department of Optometry & Vision Sciences. Specific research projects will depend upon the availability of appropriate expertise, but may address a broad spectrum of vision science issues. The research project aims to develop a range of experimental and technical skills, a capacity to set goals and to design and plan experiments. The report describing the research will more closely resemble a scientific paper than a traditional thesis. Apart from the help and guidance from their supervisor(s) each student also has a committee which regularly meets with them and provides additional help and expertise. This committee is responsible for assessment of the research project subject.

The objectives of this subject are to provide students with skills in:

• conducting research in vision science;
• planning and executing laboratory based experimental research;
• in data collection and analysis, and postulating testable hypotheses based on this data;
• preparing and giving an oral and written presentation of the results;
• expressing persuasive intellectual, scientific arguments;
• assimilating and critically evaluating existing knowledge within a scientific paradigm.

The assessment requirements below are applicable to the entire 125 point Research Project.
A literature review of 3000 words, due toward the end of the first semester of this subject (pass/fail); a grant proposal/project brief of 2000 words and 10 minute oral presentation, due in the early part of the second semester (15%); a final oral presentation (20 minutes) (pass/fail), due towards the end of the final semester of this subject; and a major (10,000 – 14,000 word) research report due towards the end of the final semester of this subject (85%).

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

This subject should provide students with the opportunity to develop the following generic skills:

• the ability to evaluate scientific literature;
• the ability to use conceptual models to assess experimental data;
• the ability to conduct research;
• the capacity to articulate their knowledge and understanding in written and oral presentations;
• the capacity for high level written report presentation skills.