Handbook - Vision Science / Clinical Optometry

Overview

Optometry combines the theoretical discipline of vision science with the clinical art of primary eye care. Vision science includes the optics of lenses and instruments, the physiology of the eye, the psychophysics of vision and the neuroscience of the brain. Optometry includes the diagnosis and management of ocular disease, the … For more content click the Read More button below. Upon completion of the Master of Clinical Optometry degree, students will be allowed to apply for registration with the Optometry Board leading to the practice of Optometry in Australia, New Zealand and most parts of Asia. Graduates of the dual award Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry will have specialised knowledge and skills for professional practice and research in Optometry and Vision Science and further learning. Accreditations The program is accredited by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ), the Optometry Board of Australia (OBA) and the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board New Zealand (ODOB) for the purpose of registration in Australia and New Zealand.

Optometry includes the diagnosis and management of ocular disease, the dispensing of spectacles and contact lenses, the management of people with special needs (children, low vision), sports vision and vision in the workplace. Graduates of this program will be able to register as an optometrist in Australia. The degree is also recognised in New Zealand and in most parts of Asia. Job opportunities in this field are excellent and are expected to remain excellent given the high visual demands in the modern computer-based workplace, and the ageing population in Australia.

Upon completion of the Master of Clinical Optometry degree, students will be allowed to apply for registration with the Optometry Board leading to the practice of Optometry in Australia, New Zealand and most parts of Asia.

Graduates of the dual award Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry will have specialised knowledge and skills for professional practice and research in Optometry and Vision Science and further learning.

Accreditations

The program is accredited by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ), the Optometry Board of Australia (OBA) and the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board New Zealand (ODOB) for the purpose of registration in Australia and New Zealand.

Stand Alone Programs

Click on the link below to find out more about each individual program.

Double Degree Structure

Students must complete 240 UOC.

1. 228 UOC - Core Courses in Stages 1 to 5

2. 12 UOC - General Education Courses

Please check 3182 Vision Science/Clinical Optometry for optimal order of term based course enrolment.

Level 1 Core Courses48 Units of Credit:

Students must take 48 UOC of the following courses.

Level 1 Core Courses

One of the following:

Level 2 Core Courses42 Units of Credit:

Level 3 Core Courses42 Units of Credit:

Students must take 42 UOC of the following courses.

OPTM3105

6 UOC

Disease Processes of the Eye 1

OPTM3133

6 UOC

Vision Science in the Consulting Room

OPTM3201

6 UOC

Ocular Imaging & Applied Vision Science

OPTM3205

6 UOC

Disease Processes of the Eye 2

OPTM3233

6 UOC

Working in Clinical Contexts

PHAR3306

6 UOC

Foundations of Pharmacology & Therapeutics

VISN3111

6 UOC

Development and Aging of the Visual System

Level 4 Core Courses48 Units of Credit:

Students must take 48 UOC of the following courses.

OPTM6400

6 UOC

Optometric Preclinical Practice

Clinical Optometry 4A

OPTM6413

6 UOC

Anterior Eye Therapeutics

OPTM6421

6 UOC

Binocular Vision, Paediatrics and Low Vision

OPTM6422

6 UOC

Clinical Optometry 4B

OPTM6423

6 UOC

Therapeutics and the Posterior Eye

OPTM6424

6 UOC

Professional Optometry

Level 5 Core Courses48 Units of Credit:

Students must take 48 UOC of the following courses.

Note: Students enrol in OPTM8514 Optometry Research Project each semester/term

OPTM8511

6 UOC

Clinical Paediatrics, Low Vision and Colour Vision

OPTM8512

6 UOC

Clinical Optometry 5A

OPTM8513

6 UOC

Clinical Ocular Therapy 5A

OPTM8514

4 UOC

Optometry Research Project

OPTM8521

6 UOC

Clinical Contact Lenses

OPTM8522

6 UOC

Clinical Optometry 5B

OPTM8523

6 UOC

Clinical Ocular Therapy 5B

General Education12 Units of Credit:

Excluded General Education Courses

Program Constraints

Maturity Rule

No student may commence Level 2 courses until 48 UOC of Level 1 courses have been successfully completed.
PHSL2101 - Physiology 1A
ANAT2111 - Introductory Anatomy
VISN2111 - Ocular Anatomy and Physiology
OPTM2233 - Optical Dispensing
PHSL2201 - Physiology 1B
OPTM2133 - The Clinical Environment
VISN2211 - Organisation and Function of the Visual System
any level 2 course

Students may commence Level 3 courses upon successful completion of 48 units of credit of Level 2 courses.
OPTM3105 - Disease Processes of the Eye 1
VISN3111 - Development and Aging of the Visual System
OPTM3133 - Vision Science in the Consulting Room
OPTM3205 - Disease Processes of the Eye 2
PHAR3306 - Pharmacology for Optometry
OPTM3233 - Working in the Clinical Environment
OPTM3201 - Ocular Imaging & Applied Vision Science

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please read the Double Degree Program rules as some specific rules apply to particular Double Degree combinations.

You are responsible for ensuring you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and advice from your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program.

Additional Information

Study Load

This is an intensive full-time program. Only in exceptional circumstances will students be allowed to enrol in a reduced program for a Stage.

Progression Requirements

Students must maintain an overall CREDIT average (65.00%) at the end of the Bachelor of Vision Science component of the program to progress to the Master of Clinical Optometry. Students who do not meet this requirement are expected to exit the program with a Bachelor of Vision Science degree. For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

Participation and Enrolment Requirements

Criminal Records Check
This program includes placements in Health Facilities in Australia, private practice and the UNSW Optometry Clinic. In order to attend these placements, students will need to complete a criminal record check. International students need both the Australian check as well as a police certificate from their home country or any country in which they have been a citizen or permanent resident since turning 16 years of age.

Medical Assessment
This program includes placements in Health Facilities in Australia, private practice and the UNSW Optometry Clinic. In order to attend these placements, students will need to comply with Health Facility's immunisation and blood borne viruses policies. Students are also required to have first aid training.

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Domestic Students

Commonwealth Supported Students (if applicable)

International Students