Vision Science [not available in 2020] major

The double major will encompass a wide range of disciplines within the health and medical sciences to prepare for study in Optometry. Level 1 and 2 will provide students with the background knowledge across all the biomedical scientific disciplines including, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, haematology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology and public health. The level 3 units will introduce students to the study of vision science.

Communication and research skills for the health professional will be presented throughout the major. The major will include studies on aspects of Australian society and culture, including Aboriginal health and migrant and refugee health.

This major is only available to students on direct pathways to the Doctor of Optometry and those offered specific entry at time of admission.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) discuss basic body plan, organisation, histology, physiology, cell communication and cell biology; (2) understand basic chemistry, biochemistry, genetics and human heredity; (3) integrate knowledge on metabolic function and nutrition, cell cycle and signaling and disregulation causing cancer; (4) promote and participate in discussions on aspects of public and population health, epidemiology, Aboriginal, migrant and refugee health, healthcare systems and resource allocation in Australia; (5) understand basic body defences, including immune system structure and function, microbials and infection; (6) integrate knowledge on blood and blood pathologies, drug delivery and metabolism and associated pharmacological aspects; (7) discuss and appreciate the importance of appropriate communication in the health profession, gain an understanding of religious, social and cultural differences within Australia, and develop basic research skills, including medical research design, evidence and association and statistical analyses; (8) demonstrate knowledge of human embryology and development, the human genome and aetiology of disorders associated with genetic abnormalities; (9) understand the physical and biomedical sciences that underpin visual processes and ocular function.
; (10) understand and perform basic optometric testing.

; and (11) understand and describe the role of the optometrist within the health care system.

Degree-specific major

Vision Science [not available in 2020] can only be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

BP006 Bachelor of Biomedical Science
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

Overview of unit sequence

Vision Science [not available in 2020] is a degree-specific double major comprising:

  • two Level 1 units
  • four Level 2 units
  • four Level 3 units
  • two Level 1 complementary units
Key to availability of units:
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; N/A = not available in 2020

Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2021 or 2022.

Students without WACE or ATAR Chemistry are required to complete CHEM1003 in first year AND students without WACE or ATAR Mathematics are required to complete MATH1720 in first year.

Level 1

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (12 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 IMED1001 Form and Function
Prerequisites:
enrolment in the Medical Sciences (MEDSC) major,
or
Integrated Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (IMSCP) major,
or
Vision Science Major (VISSC),
or
the Engineering Science (Biomedical Engineering) (ENGSC) major
S1 IMED1002 The Facts of Life
Prerequisites:
enrolment in the Medical Sciences (MEDSC) major,
or
Integrated Medical Science and Clinical Practice (IMSCP) major,
or
Vision Science (VISSC) major.
Complementary units
Take all complementary units (12 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S2 IMED1003 Cell Survival and Communication
Prerequisites:
IMED1001 Form and Function
and
IMED1002 The Facts of Life
Co-requisites:
IMED1004 Understanding Health and Disease in People and Populations
S2 IMED1004 Health and Society
Prerequisites:
IMED1001 Form and Function
and
IMED1002 The Facts of Life
Co-requisites:
IMED1003 Cell Survival and Communication

Level 2

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (24 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 IMED2001 Body Defences
Prerequisites:
IMED1003 Cell Survival and Communication
and
IMED1004 Understanding Health and Disease in People and Populations
Co-requisites:
IMED2002 Blood and Drugs
S1 IMED2002 Blood and Drugs
Prerequisites:
IMED1003 Cell Survival and Communication
and
IMED1004 Understanding Health and Disease in People and Populations
Co-requisites:
IMED2001 Body Defences
S2 IMED2003 Medical Sciences Research Methodologies
Prerequisites:
IMED2001 Body Defences
and
IMED2002 Blood and Drugs
Co-requisites:
IMED2004 Human Development and Genetics
S2 IMED2004 Human Development and Genetics
Prerequisites:
IMED2001 Body Defences
and
IMED2002 Blood and Drugs
Co-requisites:
IMED2003 Essentials of Research in the Health and Medical Sciences

Level 3

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (48 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
N/A OPTM3101 Science of the Eye and Visual System 1
Prerequisites:
Enrolment in the Doctor of Optometry 91590
OR
96 points including the completion of all level 1 and 2 units in the major in Vision Science (MJD – VISSC).
Co-requisites:
OPTM3102 Principles of Optometry 1
N/A OPTM3102 Principles of Optometry 1
Prerequisites:
Enrolment in the Doctor of Optometry 91590
OR
96 points including the completion of all level 2 units in the major in Vision Science (MJD – VISSC).
Co-requisites:
OPTM3101 Science of the Eye and Visual System 1
N/A OPTM3103 Science of the Eye and Visual System 2
Prerequisites:
OPTM3101 Science of the Eye and Visual System 1
AND
OPTM3102 Principles of Optometry 1
Co-requisites:
OPTM3104 Principles of Optometry 2
N/A OPTM3104 Principles of Optometry 2
Prerequisites:
OPTM3101 Science of the Eye and Visual System 1
AND
OPTM3102 Principles of Optometry 1
Co-requisites:
OPTM3103 Science of the Eye and Visual System 2

Choosing your degree-specific major

You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.

To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .

To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.

The following example illustrates how the Vision Science [not available in 2020] degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Biomedical Science course .

There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .