Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science), Master of Optometry

The Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science), Master of Optometry is a double degree offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences and requires 5 years of full-time study (or up to eight years part-time).

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study
  
  

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements

Course aims

The overall aim of the double degree is to prepare the graduate for beginning clinical practice as an optometrist in a range of urban, rural and remote settings; to be a well-informed health professional; and to acquire critical skills in appraising scientific and clinical information.  In addition the course is designed to produce graduates who as medical scientists are specialists in the area of vision science and possess well-developed skills to undertake a range of careers within the medical sciences.  Students also gain the specialist knowledge, clinical skills and attitudes necessary to be registered by the Optometry Board of South Australia as an optometrist.

Learning outcomes

• demonstrate a thorough understanding of the fundamental science underpinning the fields of medical science and their science discipline and have a range of transferable professional skills
• demonstrate a thorough understanding of the factors that influence sight and the visual system
• undertake basic medical research utilising specialist skills and knowledge in at least one major area of science
• contribute to developing and/or evaluating new treatments and strategies for health problems by employing specialist skills in a major area of science; and appreciate the cross-disciplinary nature of the medical sciences and work, as appropriate, with other health professionals
• select and perform common diagnostic and therapeutic optometric procedure
• identify and treat eye dysfunction and diseases within the scope of optometric therapeutic practice
• communicate clearly and effectively with patients and other health professionals
• meet the registration requirements of the Optometry Board of South Australia.

Program of study

To qualify for the double degree of Bachelor Medical Science (Vision Science), Master of Optometry, a student must complete 180 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.

A student who completes 108 units with a GPA of less than 5 will not be permitted to continue to the Master of Optometry.  Such a student will be permitted to exit with the Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science) award.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Core - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

 BIOL1101  Evolution of Biological Diversity  (4.5 units)
 BIOL1102  Molecular Basis of Life  (4.5 units)
 HLTH1003  Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Care  (4.5 units)
 MDSC1102  Skills for Medical Scientists 1  (4.5 units)
 MMED1005  How Your Body Works: Human Physiology and Structure  (4.5 units)
 PHYS1702  Physics for the Life Sciences B  (4.5 units)

plus one of:

 CHEM1101  Chemistry 1A  (4.5 units)
 CHEM1201  Introduction to Chemistry A  (4.5 units)

plus one of:

 CHEM1102  Chemistry 1B  (4.5 units)
 CHEM1202  Introduction to Chemistry B  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

 BIOL2771  Biochemistry  (4.5 units)
 BIOL2772  Molecular Biology  (4.5 units)
 MDSC2000  Skills for Medical Scientists 2  (4.5 units)
 MMED2931  Human Physiology  (4.5 units)
 MMED2932  Integrative Human Physiology  (4.5 units)
 MMED2933  Fundamental Neuroscience  (4.5 units)
 MMED2935  Human Immunology and Infectious Diseases  (4.5 units)
 PHYS2711  Physical Optics for Vision Science  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 3 topics

Third Year Optometry topics are being developed and will be available in 2012.

Years 4 & 5 - Master of Optometry topics

Master of Optometry topics are being developed and will be available in 2013.