HMO202 - Ocular Function

Unit details

Year

2027 unit information

Enrolment modesTrimester 3: Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Credit point(s)1
EFTSL value0.125
Unit chairTrimester 3: Christopher Law
Cohort rule

This unit is only available to students enrolled in D302 Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry.

Up to 10 places may be offered to students not enrolled in D302. Please note a 75% WAM will need to be achieved in order to be considered please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

Prerequisite

HMO104

CorequisiteNil
Incompatible withNil
Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment

Up to 4 x 1 hour lectures per week
5 x 2 hour practical experiences (workshops)
5 x 2 hour seminars (TBL) 
5 x 2 hour Investigative and Reflective Reports per trimester

Typical study commitment

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Content

In this unit, students will develop an understanding of how the visual system processes information from the outside world. The unit extends the anatomical knowledge gained in HMO104. Information provided in the early weeks of trimester emphasise the physiological and biochemical processes that underpin the perception of light in the retina. Later in the unit, the processes that underlie our perception of brightness, colour, movement and depth perception are covered. Throughout the unit students are introduced to the clinical and research-based techniques that can be used to measure our ability see the world.

Learning outcomes

ULO These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can:

Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs)

ULO1

Describe the general organisation of the visual system from the eye to the brain.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO2

Communicate the biological processes that underpin neuronal function.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication

ULO3

Describe the parallel information processing streams used by the visual system.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO4

Define key psychophysical parameters used to describe and quantify vision and demonstrate knowledge of the methods used to measure visual function.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO5

Explain the basic neural processes that underlie our perception of colour, shape, light and dark and that drive eye movements.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO6

Integrate knowledge of ocular anatomy and physiology to demonstrate how changes in the structure and function of the eye can contribute to visual disability.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
ULO7

Demonstrate basic professionalism, such as the ability to work collaboratively and contribute to team based activities while showing respect for their peers.

GLO2: Communication
GLO6: Self-management
GLO7: Teamwork
GLO8: Global citizenship

These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year

Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some units still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week

Assessment 1:
Investigative Reports

Approximately
900 words and reflection on contribution to team work

35%

  • Weeks 3, 5, 7, 9, 11

Assessment 2:
Team Based Learning

10 MCQs

30%

  • Weeks 3, 5, 8, 9

Assessment 3:
Examination

2 hours

35%

  • End-of-unit assessment period

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Hurdle requirements

  • Submission, and achieving a pass mark, of a minimum of 4 out of 5 investigative reports - see Assessment task 1

Learning resource

The texts and reading list for HMO202 can be found via the University Library.

Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.

To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.

Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.

Unit fee information

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.