OPTOM 263A/B : Essential Optics

Medical and Health Sciences

2022 Semester One (1223) / Semester Two (1225) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An introduction to optics relevant to optometry and necessary to understand the optical performance of the eye, the design of ophthalmic lens applications, and the principles of operation of clinical instrumentation. Topics include; the basic principles of physical optics, the principles of image formation by lenses and lens systems mirrors and prisms, optics of the eye, ocular ametropia and aberrations.

Course Overview

Students completing this course will have a good conceptual understanding of the principles of geometrical optics from basic fundamental ray-theory through to application of principles to actual optical systems.
Furthermore, an understanding of the optics to the extent, that the student is able to apply the principles of geometrical optics to the analysis of simple optical systems.
To appreciate the existence of repeated themes, that exist within the framework of geometrical optics, then can be applied to the given context. An ability to translate the concepts covered in the course, that can then be applied in real situations.
Course Content Summary:
The objectives of this course are to equip students with the knowledge of the optical principles necessary to understand the optics of lenses, the optics of diagnostic instrumentation and the optics of the living human eye. Emphasis is placed on understanding the wave nature of light and the consequences resulting from using this model. The concepts of geometrical optics and the behaviour of light as rays enable students to understand lenses, lens systems, mirrors and prisms. Students will investigate the optics of the eyes of humans and animals, through the investigation of ocular morphology, dimensions and refractive properties including aberrations of the eye.


Course Requirements

Restriction: OPTOM 215, 262, 265 To complete this course students must enrol in OPTOM 263 A and B

Course Contacts

Dr Ehsan Vaghefi
Dr Jason Turuwhenua

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Optometry

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain the basic processes of image formation by refraction and reflection, the sources of optical aberrations, and solve optics questions using both exact and paraxial methods (Capability 1.1 and 1.2)
  2. Describe the operation of common optical systems such as the simple magnifier and the telescope (Capability 1.3)
  3. Explain the nature of light and the usefulness of the concept of e-m waves, and be able to use the equations that describe light waves (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2)
  4. Explain the concepts of polarisation, coherence, superposition, diffraction and interference of light waves and the optical applications that use these properties including resolution limits (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2)
  5. Describe the principles behind a laser, the differences between laser light and light from other sources, and be able to explain the applications of lasers related to Optometry, in industry and for scientific research including the concepts of optical fibres and graded index materials (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1 and 2.2)
  6. Relate evolution of eyes to constraints in eye design (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1 and 2.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Final Exam 40% Individual Examination
Test #1 15% Individual Test
Test #2 15% Individual Test
Laboratories 30% Group Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Final Exam
Test #1
Test #2
Laboratories

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard [60] point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect [50] hours of lectures, a [16] hour tutorial, [32] hours of reading and thinking about the content, [64] hours of laboratories and [50] hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs/tutorials/studios/clinics to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars/tutorials/labs/studios will be available as recordings.
The course will include live online events including tutorials.
Attendance on campus is required for the test/exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

All learning resources will be made available through Canvas

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Other Information

A combination of online lectures and in-person tutorials seem to be very effective in transfer learnings and appreciated by students 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 08/11/2021 10:35 a.m.