OPTOM 316A/B : Optometry
Medical and Health Sciences
2025 Semester One (1253) / Semester Two (1255) (60 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
The primary objectives of this clinically-focused Part III BOptom course are to develop the skills and understanding of both the clinical and theoretical aspects of the standard optometric examination in an integrated manner. On completion of this course, the students will be able to conduct a technically-competent optometric examination and provide appropriate management options for the correction of refractive error with ophthalmic appliances. On completion, students will also have further developed their understanding of the ethical and cultural aspects of the optometric examination.
The teaching approach includes large class lectures with clear lecture objectives; active learning sessions within lectures and tutorials; self-directed experiential learning in the laboratory sessions; and additional learning resources available via Canvas.
Students should be working at the level of applying and analysing information in Bloom's taxonomy, and at the relational level in SOLO taxonomy. Toward the end of the year, case analysis introduces the students to the evaluation of results and the creation of a management plan. Reflection on both clinical skill development and personal development is encouraged with the use of Gibb's Reflective Learning Cycle. The students further develop their portfolio, as they engage in life-long learning in relation to the profession of optometry.
Course Requirements
Course Contacts
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 2: | Sustainability |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Critically discuss and apply the principles of, and accurately complete a refractive status examination on an adult patient using appropriate techniques (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
- Critically discuss and apply optical theory to the measurement and correction of refractive error with ophthalmic lenses, to the design of ophthalmic lenses, and to the principles of optical instruments (Capability 3)
- Select and dispense appropriate ophthalmic appliances based on case information and understanding of optical theory (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
- Critically discuss and apply the principles of, and accurately complete a binocular vision examination on an adult patient using appropriate techniques (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
- Critically discuss and apply the principles of, and accurately complete an ocular health examination on an adult patient using appropriate techniques (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
- Critically discuss and apply the principles of, and accurately complete a sensory vision examination on an adult patient using appropriate techniques (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
- Perform a satisfactory case history, correlate the expected results between different optometric measures taken within the examination, and communicate the results of the examination to the patient (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 6)
- Engage appropriately with different cultures in a culturally-safe manner, recognising differing levels of patient knowledge and understanding to ensure effective communication (Capability 1, 2, 6 and 7)
- Critically discuss and apply appropriate frameworks for reaching ethical decisions in optometric practice and provide a rational justification for solving ethical dilemmas (Capability 1 and 8)
- Reflect critically on both personal and clinical development in a professional course (Capability 4 and 8)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Practical | 25% | Individual Coursework |
| Portfolio | 15% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Tests | 20% | Individual Test |
| Final Exam | 40% | Individual Examination |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| Practical | ||||||||||
| Portfolio | ||||||||||
| Tests | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
Further information regarding assessments will be available on the course Canvas pages
Workload Expectations
This course is a 60 point double semester course. Students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in, therefore you should expect to spend 20 hours per week on this course.
For this course, you can expect 4 hours of lectures, 7-8 hours of laboratories and tutorials, 4-5 hours of reading and thinking about the content, and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation per week.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs/tutorials/clinics to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings, with the active learning components edited out. Some lectures will only be available as online recordings, with optional in-person tutorials for students to ask questions. Learning activities such as labs/tutorials/clinics will not be available as recordings.
The course may include live online events including group discussions/tutorials.
Attendance on campus is required for the tests and exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable and also include activities outside of the standard semester 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.
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.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
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 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.