Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry
2021 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2021 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry |
| Course Map | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2021. |
| Campus | Offered at Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Cloud Campus | No |
| Duration | 3.5 years accelerated full time program delivered over ten consecutive trimesters commencing in Trimester 1 |
| CRICOS course code | 083228D Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Deakin course code | D302 |
| Approval status | This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7/9. |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Alternative exits
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Third party arrangements
- Other learning experiences
- Research and research-related study
Course overview
Graduate with a professional qualification in optometry in just three and a half years with Deakin's Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry. Gain the discipline-specific knowledge and skills to be work-ready and eligible to apply for registration as a practising optometrist in Australia and New Zealand. This program has a strong emphasis on understanding the visual health issues that impact regional and rural Australia, particularly those contributing to the health gap between members of these communities and those living in urban centres.
You will develop crucial skills in the clinical assessment, treatment and management of eye and vision disorders, with strong foundations in evidence-based and reflective practice, inter-professional collaborative practice and practice management. Clinical placements are also a big focus – you will complete a variety of short-term industry placements and spend the final six months of the course as a student resident.
Want to graduate job ready as a qualified optometrist?
Deakin offers Australia’s first accelerated optometry course, which means you can graduate and begin your career sooner.
You will investigate the structure and function of the visual system while learning about various visual health issues and their wider impact on the local and international community. Gain crucial skills in the clinical assessment, treatment and management of eye and vision disorders, as well as forming a strong understanding of the ethical, legal and professional standards of practice. You’ll cover a broad spectrum of industry-relevant study areas that prepare you for work as a professional optometrist, including:
- the key principles of optics
- clinical optics and treating eye and vision disorders
- ocular function and structure
- the science of vision
- the business of optometry.
Your clinical placement rotations take place in both metropolitan and regional or rural settings, where you'll consolidate your knowledge and skills under the supervision of qualified optometrists. As a student resident you will learn in one of a range of clinical optometric and medical settings.
As well as equipping you to diagnose and manage ocular conditions, this unique combined degree has a strong emphasis on the underlying social and environmental factors that contribute to the health gap between regional communities and urban populations, ensuring you graduate with a well-rounded understanding of the field of optometry. On successful completion of this accredited course, you can apply for registration to practise as an optometrist in Australia.
Indicative student workload
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and on-line interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Professional recognition
On successfully completing this course, you can apply for registration to practise as an optometrist in Australia. Deakin optometry has been awarded accreditations by the Optometry Board of Australia, following assessment by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ). You will also be eligible to apply for registration to practise as an optometrist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and to Medicare as a service provider. This will enable you to pursue employment opportunities throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Career opportunities
Deakin optometry graduates are well prepared for employment in a diverse range of work settings, including:
- clinics
- corporate and community settings
- health services
- hospitals
- non-government organisations
- private practice
- research institutes
- state and local governments
- tertiary education institutions.
Career opportunities for qualified optometrists include:
- practice ownership
- private and public eye care
- research and education
- recognised specialties within optometry such as:
- myopia control
- dry eye management
- low vision
- paediatric vision.
As well as pursuing a career in optometry, this course could lead you towards a number of other rewarding careers, including:
- ophthalmic practice business owner
- spectacle retailer
- not-for-profit campaigner
- visual simulator designer.
Participation requirements
The course has been developed to provide students with opportunities to practice optometry (under supervision) in a variety of contexts. In keeping the Deakin Optometry’s commitment to improving rural eyecare delivery, students will spend at least three months of their extended residential placement in a regional, rural or remote location to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by these communities when attempting to access eye care.
Placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates.
Students are required to complete units in Trimester 3.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
Mandatory student checks
Requirements for Clinical Placements and Registration
Inherent requirements
Applications are accepted from students who possess the skills and prerequisites required to complete the course, gain professional certification and practise safely. The inherent requirements of the course are listed in the document, BVisSci and MOptom Inherent Requirements (pdf).
Working with Children Check
Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course. Learn more about Working with Children Checks.
Police record check
Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for professional placements as part of this course. Learn more about the National Police Record Check.
Immunisations
Prior to commencing clinical placements students are expected to have a current immunisation status. Information will be provided to
Applicants once they enrol in the course. The Faculty will guide you through this process.
Code of Conduct
Prior to commencing students are expected to sign the Student Code of Conduct.
Pathways
This course provides a pathway to higher degree by research courses and other postgraduate coursework programs.
Alternative exits
| Bachelor of Vision Science (H310) |
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline Specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply advanced integrated optometric knowledge to evaluate clinical information, utilising expert skills and judgement to independently perform optometric examinations, establish diagnoses and design appropriate management plans within a robust practice management system. |
| Communication | Employ a range of communication strategies to interpret theoretical positions, methodologies and conclusions, and explain and justify professional and clinical decisions to other health professionals, peers and colleagues (specialist and non-specialist audiences). Employ a range of communication strategies that take into account individual diversity to effectively communicate information regarding informed consent, diagnoses and management plans to patients, carers and other health-care professionals. |
| Digital Literacy | Choose appropriate technologies to effectively find, use and disseminate clinical and research findings; demonstrate skills in applying new technologies in clinical settings to implement examination plans and manage patient records. |
| Critical thinking | Apply expert knowledge to critically analyse and synthesise complex optometric information and theories to address research questions and new situations in professional practice. |
| Problem Solving | Apply an advanced body of knowledge in order to define and frame clinical optometric problems and apply evidence based strategies to solve such problems. Apply business and practice management skills to identify areas of optometric business in need of improvement and strategies to improve and maintain a safe and efficient/compliant optometric practice. |
| Self-management | Operate in a professional, reflective and ethical manner, being cognisant of the accountability and responsibilities that come with professional optometric practice, thereby employing a structured and efficient approach to professional practice. |
| Teamwork | Operate as an independent optometric professional, capable of demonstrating leadership in practice management and collaboration with other health professionals in providing high quality optometric care for patients. |
| Global Citizenship | Model behaviour consistent with professional and ethical standards of the profession, being sensitive to cultural and social diversity and the issues impacting on eye and vision care in regional and rural communities, adopting a global perspective to evidence-based practice and advocacy. |
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry students must attain 40 credit points. This is an accelerated three and a half year course delivered over ten consecutive trimesters commencing in Trimester 1. All the units in the course are core (these are compulsory).
Students must pass all first year units, or be granted Recognition of Prior Learning for these units, before proceeding to second year.
Due to the integrated nature of the curriculum and assessment, and the requirements of the external accrediting body, from Year 2 onwards, students must pass all units in a given trimester prior to proceeding to the next trimester. Any student who fails to meet this requirement will need to intermit until the next offering of the unit, which will usually be in a period of two trimesters.
To support student reintegration to the course after a period of intermission, students will be required to demonstrate that they have maintained skills and knowledge at a level required to practice safely. To support students in doing this, non-award units will be offered in the trimester preceding re-entry to the course. Please contact your course advisor for assistance.
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.
Course structure
Units
Course structure applies to students who commenced in 2015 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2015 should refer to previous online Handbooks or consult your course enrolment officer.
Students must enrol in the Waurn Ponds (Geelong) offering of all units
Year 1 - Trimester 1
| HAI010 | Academic Integrity (0 credit points) |
| SLE010 | Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety Induction Program (0 credit points) |
| HBS107 | Understanding Health |
| HBS108 | Health Information and Data |
| HMO101 | Principles of Optics |
| SLE111 | Cells and Genes |
Year 1 - Trimester 2
| HMO102 | Science of Vision 1 |
| HMO103 | Clinical Optics |
| HMO104 | Ocular Structure |
And
| SLE155 | Chemistry for the Professional Sciences ^ |
OR
| SLE133 | Chemistry in Our World (offered in Trimester 1 and Trimester 3) |
^ Assumed knowledge: SLE133 Chemistry in our World or high achievement in VCE Chemistry 3 and 4 (or equivalent)
Year 1 - Trimester 3
| HMO105 | The Business of Optometry |
| HMO201 | Science of Vision 2 |
| HMO202 | Ocular Function |
| MAA103 | Accounting for Decision Making |
Year 2 - Trimester 1
| HMO203 | Health and Vision Sciences 1 |
| HMO204 | Principles and Practice of Optometry 1 |
Year 2 - Trimester 2
| HMO303 | Health and Vision Sciences 2 |
| HMO304 | Principles and Practice of Optometry 2 |
Year 2 - Trimester 3
| HMO305 | Health and Vision Sciences 3 |
| HMO306 | Principles and Practice of Optometry 3 |
Year 3 - Trimester 1
| HMO701 | Advanced Optometric Studies 1 |
Year 3 - Trimester 2
| HMO702 | Advanced Optometric Studies 2 |
Year 3 - Trimester 3
| HMO703 | Community Optometry 1 |
Year 4 - Trimester 1
| HMO704 | Community Optometry 2 |
Work experience
Clinical placements are an integral part of the program. You will undertake a variety of short-term industry placements and spend the final six months of the course as a ‘student resident’ in one of a range of clinical optometric and medical settings. These extensive rotations take place in both metropolitan and regional or rural settings, and will enable you to consolidate your knowledge and skills in supported environments under the supervision of qualified optometrists.
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
The course includes an extensive practical placement component (cost incurred by the student) including a Clinical Residential Placement in the last six months of the course. Students will also need to purchase personal optometric diagnostic (costing approximately $3500) in Year 2 of the program.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Third party arrangements
There is an arrangement with the Australian College of Optometry, Barwon Health, Lorne Community Hospital and approximately 200 optometry practices across Australia and New Zealand to provide clinical training to our students.
The Dean of the School of Medicine signs the agreements with the ACO and Barwon Health. A member of the Optometry Executive signs the individual agreements and the practice accreditation documents (see below) and these are stored by the School of Medicine Student Experience Team.
Nature of third party arrangements
These partners allow our students access to clinical optometric training (pre-clinical and clinical) by providing opportunities to:
Observe optometric and ophthalmological consultations and
Undertake optometric consultations under the guidance and supervision of optometrists and ophthalmologist
Quality assurance arrangements
Supervisors that are responsible for providing summative and formative feedback are offered compulsory supervisor training modules (approx. 5 hours duration).
Practices offering student placements must pass an initial audit and sites are audited on a rolling basis (approximately 20% per annum)
Deakin staff liaise with supervisors (primarily via education officers at the ACO and Barwon Health and via telephone contact with individual optometrist practitioners in private practice).
Other learning experiences
Work experience
Clinical placements are an integral part of the program. You will undertake a variety of short-term industry placements and spend the final six months of the course as a ‘student resident’ in one of a range of clinical optometric and medical settings. These extensive rotations take place in both metropolitan and regional or rural settings, and will enable you to consolidate your knowledge and skills in supported environments under the supervision of qualified optometrists.
Research and research-related study
A Research component (Honours equivalent) is scaffolded throughout the BVisSc/MOptom course. In HMO305, 30% of the 2CP unit is devoted to an expanded literature review and in HMO701 and 702 this research is continued in the form of a research project with protocol writing, data collection, analysis and presentation (written and oral) in HMO70. In HMO306, HMO703 and HMO704 independent Research-based case reports assess clinical research skills.