OPTOM 272A/B : Visual Science 1: Structure and Function of the Visual System

Medical and Health Sciences

2021 Semester One (1213) / Semester Two (1215) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Anatomy and physiology of the eye and visual pathway. Topics include composition and structure of the tear film, neural processing in the visual cortex, aspects of visual function including spatial and temporal vision, motion perception and colour vision. Investigation of visual perception using psychophysical and electrophysiological techniques.

Course Overview

This is a two-semester course that introduces you to the Anatomy and Physiology of the eye and visual pathway. Topics include details of ocular structure and function, neural processing in the visual cortex, aspects of visual function and Investigation of visual perception using psychophysical and electrophysiological techniques.
The general objectives of the course are: 

1. To present the student with basic structural and functional concepts of the visual system. 
2. To provide a general understanding of the foundation of vision.

Course Requirements

Restriction: OPTOM 151, 170, 171 To complete this course students must enrol in OPTOM 272 A and B

Course Contacts

Course coordinator: Dr Monica Acosta m.acosta@auckland.ac.nz 
Course director: Dr Monica Acosta m.acosta@auckland.ac.nz 

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Optometry

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Research, analyse and communicate material found the library database to retrieve publications relevant to the course (Capability 2.1)
  2. Define and accurately use vocabulary relevant to optometry (Capability 1.1)
  3. Describe and explain the structure and function of the anatomy (e.g. skull, sinuses, meninges, vasculature, ocular adnexa etc) supporting normal function of the eye (Capability 1.1 and 1.2)
  4. Describe and explain the structure and function of the oculomotor system (Capability 1.2)
  5. Describe and explain the structure, function and development of the normal human eye (Capability 1.2)
  6. Describe and explain the structure and function of the elements (cornea, lens, anterior chamber etc) controlling the refractive status of the eye (Capability 1.2)
  7. Describe and explain the structure, function (e.g. photo transduction) and development of the retina (Capability 1.2)
  8. Understand and explain how human visual abilities map onto the operation of different elements of the eye (Capability 1.2)
  9. Describe and explain the structure and function of the visual pathway within the brain (Capability 3.2)
  10. Identify, formulate and refine your own competences as a reflective process. (Capability 1.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1 and 6.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Final Exam 60% Individual Examination
Test 10% Individual Test
Lecture assessment 10% Individual Coursework
practical assessment S1 6% Individual Coursework
practical assessment S2 6% Individual Coursework
Portfolio 2% Individual Coursework
Quizzes 4% Peer Coursework
group assignment 2% Group Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Final Exam
Test
Lecture assessment
practical assessment S1
practical assessment S2
Portfolio
Quizzes
group assignment

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 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 3 hours of lectures and 3-4 hours of labs and tutorials,  7 hours of reading and thinking about the content and  3 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation per week.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings but attendance in person is recommended. Other learning activities including seminars/tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The course will  include live online events including some lectures, group discussions and group assignments and tutorials as per the schedule.
Attendance on campus is required  for the semester 1 test and the final exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in the course website located in the University’s learning platform CANVAS which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

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.

Digital 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.

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.

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 your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

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 you may be asked to submit your 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. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 11/12/2020 02:38 p.m.