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Optometry and Vision Sciences

Informal specialisationYear: 2023

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Overview

Honours in Vision Sciences is a programme across two semesters designed to extend the student’s knowledge and skills through a supervised research project together with advanced coursework in the vision sciences. The research component will involve the student conducting an original research project in one of the laboratories of the Department of Optometry & Vision Sciences under the supervision of one or more academic staff from February to November. The research will be of a level that can potentially contribute to a publication, whether on its own or as part of a larger project. The coursework component will introduce students to current literature in the vision sciences and the various techniques used in different laboratories. There will be an emphasis also on developing the student’s communication skills both orally and in writing. The course year starts in February and ends in November and is only available full time.

Admission requirements

In addition to satisfying the Bachelor of Science (Degree with Honours) entry requirements, students are required to have completed stream specific prerequisites. Details of stream specific prerequisites can be found at the Bachelor of Science (Degree with Honours) entry and participation requirements page.

Intended learning outcomes

Graduates of the Optometry and Vision Sciences Honours program will be able to:

  • Articulate advanced knowledge and understanding of vision sciences and demonstrate skills in formulating and executing a research project either in basic science or in a clinical setting
  • Identify new developments in vision research and the various methods that vision scientists investigating visual function and dysfunction use in their studies, and evaluate and interpret the results of such methods
  • Design experiments and select appropriate statistical analyses to address a research question(s)
  • Conduct research, including selection and implementation of experimental models and methods, data collection methods, and statistical analysis methods
  • Communicate scientific concepts and experimental results in visual neuroscience and optometry to various audiences effectively
  • Apply principles of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship, including identifying and following the principles of ethical conduct of research with animals and humans
  • Demonstrate proficiency in time management for completion of scientific tasks against set deadlines
  • Demonstrate an advanced capacity for independent study and research in the visual sciences
  • Work effectively independently, and collaboratively under supervision within a research team from diverse backgrounds.

Last updated: 25 January 2023