OPB351 Visual Science 1
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | OPB351 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | OPB352 and OPB353 |
| Corequisite(s): | OPB452 and OPB453 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | OPB351 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | OPB352 and OPB353 |
| Co-requisite: | OPB452 and OPB453 |
| Coordinator: | Joanne Wood | j.wood@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Optometric practice requires understanding of the optics of the eye and the psychophysical principles of vision. This unit introduces you to the optics of the eye, including its basic design, dimensions and retinal quality, as well as an introduction to the psychophysical principles of vision. The skills and knowledge developed in this unit provide a basis for understanding basic visual science principles that are further expanded on in Visual Science 2 and provide an essential foundation to optometry.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Explain the principles of the optics of the eye and psychophysical characteristics of vision
- Collect, analyse and interpret data related to the optics of the eye and psychophysical characteristics of vision.
- Recognise and interpret data relating to the optics of the eye and psychophysical characteristics of vision
Content
The content of this unit covers:
- Optics of the eye: schematic eyes, measurement of ocular structures, ametropia, aberrations and accommodation.
- Psychophysical principles of vision: visual thresholds, spatial and temporal summation, dark and light adaptation and relative luminous efficiency curves
Learning Approaches
This unit comprises a series of lectures and practicals that are designed to support your learning as you develop your understanding of the optics of the eye and psychophysical approaches to vision. These learning activities include both in person and online synchronous and asynchronous activities.
Clinical and research based examples of visual system responses will support the connection between theory and practice. The practical program provides students with experience of measurement techniques and phenomena discussed in lectures.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
General formative feedback will be provided in the lectures and practical activities. Formative quizzes will be available to support your learning and provide feedback. Written comments/feedback will be provided regarding the summative assessment in the unit .
Assessment
Overview
Satisfactory performance in the end of semester examination is a condition for passing this unit.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Practical Skills Slide Assessment
This practical skills assessment will assess your ability to describe and interpret images and data relating to the optics of the eye and psychophysical characteristics of vision. This includes materials covered both in the lectures and the practical sessions.
This is an authentic assessment because it involves evaluation of real-world images and data related to the optics of the eye and visual psychophysical procedures which would be encountered as a vision scientist.
Assessment: End of Semester Examination
This examination will assess your knowledge and understanding of the concepts and principles of the optics of the eye and psychophysical principles of vision. Exam questions include short answer and extended response questions.
Threshold Assessment:
For professional accreditation, students must be able to integrate foundational knowledge, such as visual optics, consistent with the Entry-Level Competency Standards for Optometry. To pass this unit students must show satisfactory performance on this examination, which is a mark =>50%. Students will be eligible for one reattempt at the minimum pass level, only when their achieved mark is 40-49% for this assessment item. Students are advised to seek feedback on their performance from the unit coordinator prior to the reattempt. Students will not be eligible for a reattempt if their overall grade in the unit is a failing grade.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Atchison, D.A., & Smith, G. (2000). Optics of the Human Eye. Oxford; Boston: Butterworth- Heinemann.
Levin, L. and Kaufman, P.L. (2011). Adler's Physiology of the Eye: Clinical Application (11th ed.). Elsevier.
Rabbetts, R.B. (2007). Bennett and Rabbetts' Clinical Visual Optics (4th ed.). London: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Schwartz, S. (2010). Visual Perception: a Clinical Orientation (4th ed.). New York: McGraw-hill Medical Pub. Division
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
Entry-Level Competency Standards for Optometry 2014
1: Professional Responsibilities
Relates to: Practical Skills Slide Assessment
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.OP45 Bachelor of Vision Science
- Apply scientific knowledge and core skills of vision science and optometry.
Relates to: End of Semester Examination - Reflect and apply critical thinking, problem solving and analysis to generate optometric and vision science solutions in clinical and scientific settings.
Relates to: End of Semester Examination - Conduct effective ethical, culturally safe, and evidence-based clinical and technical ocular assessments that include data collection and experimental protocols.
Relates to: Practical Skills Slide Assessment