Global Utilities

Faculty of Health Sciences

Single Degrees

Bachelor of Orthoptic and Ophthalmic Sciences – Melbourne (Bundoora) (HBOOS)

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Duration: Three and a half years full-time

The course equips graduates to provide specialist clinical investigation of eye disease, including diagnosis of eye movement disorders, non-surgical management of specific eye problems and rehabilitation techniques for people with low vision. Studies include anatomy, physiology, ocular pathology, professional and clinical studies.

Clinical placements are undertaken at selected city, country, interstate and overseas hospitals and clinics. Some clinical placements are undertaken during teaching period breaks and students are expected to undertake an interstate or overseas placement at least once during the course. Students must meet the travel and accommodation costs associated with clinical practice. Prescribed uniforms are compulsory at all clinical placements and dress regulations are displayed on school notice boards. It is expected that students will purchase some clinical equipment for use in clinical examinations.

Degree requirements

This is a full-time course of three and a half years’ duration. Students are required to attend the Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus and external clinical placements.

Students are assessed through a variety of methods, such as examinations, assignments and practical work. Details of assessment in each unit are available from the school at the beginning of the academic year. Students are expected to purchase lecture and laboratory manuals.

Course structure

First year
Teaching period
Unit code
Unit title
Credit points
TE-SEM-1 HBS1APH Human Anatomy and Physiology 15
TE-SEM-1 ORT1OAP Protective Structures and Clear Media 15
TE-SEM-1 ORT1OPV Optics and Vision 15
TE-SEM-1 PHE1PHC Introduction to Public Health C 10
TE-SEM-1 PHE1PCS Introduction to Professional Communication Skills 5
TE-SEM-2 HBS1HBF Human Body Function 10
TE-SEM-2 ORT1ANT Anterior Segment 15
TE-SEM-2 ORT1REF Refraction 15
TE-SEM-2 ORT1RET Retina 15
TE-SEM-2 PHE1PHD Introduction to Public Health D 5
Second year
Teaching period
Unit code
Unit title
Credit points
TE-SEM-1 HBS2NEU Neurosciences A 5
TE-SEM-1 HBS2PAG General Pathology 5
TE-SEM-1 ORT2BIN Binocular Vision 15
TE-SEM-1 ORT2BMI Biomedical Instrumentation 5
TE-SEM-1 ORT2CLI Clinical Practice A 10
TE-SEM-1 ORT2RET Retinal Disorders 15
TE-SEM-1 PHE1RMH Research Methods in Health 1 5
TE-SEM-2 HBS2PHA Pharmacology 5
TE-SEM-2 ORT2CON Concomitant Strabismus 15
TE-SEM-2 ORT2NEU Neuro-ophthalmic Disorders A 15
TE-SEM-2 ORT2OPH Ophthalmic Practice 15
TE-SEM-2 ORT2RDO Research Design in Orthoptic Practice 5
TE-SEM-2 PHE2RMH Research Methods in Health 2 5
Third year
Teaching period
Unit code
Unit title
Credit points
TE-SEM-1 ORT3EYE Eye Health Care Systems 10
TE-SEM-1 ORT3INC Incomitant Strabismus 15
TE-SEM-1 ORT3NEU Neuro-ophthalmic Disorders B 15
TE-SEM-1 PHE2BDA Behavioural Determinants of Health A 5
TE-SEM-1 Elective 15
TE-SEM-2 ORT3CLI Clinical Practice B 60
Fourth year
Teaching period
Unit code
Unit title
Credit points
TE-SEM-1 HLT3IPA Interdisciplinary Professional Practice 15
TE-SEM-1 ORT4OPH Case Management – Ophthalmic Disorders 15
TE-SEM-1 ORT4REH Case Management – Rehabilitation 15
TE-SEM-1 ORT4SPO Case Management – Strabismus and Paediatric Ophthalmology 15

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible for registration with the Australian Orthoptic Board. Graduates are eligible for membership of the Orthoptic Association of Australia, which entitles graduates to membership of the International Orthoptic Association. The Bachelor of Orthoptic and Ophthalmic Sciences is generally recognised internationally, in particular in the UK, USA, Europe and Asia.

Honours year (HHOOS)

Students may be invited to undertake the honours program. Offers are made on the basis of academic merit. The honours program is undertaken in the second half of third year and continues through the second teaching period of the fourth year. Honours units are taken concurrently with the undergraduate units in semester 2 of third year and semester 1 of fourth year. Honours students normally undertake the faculty unit Interdisciplinary Professional Practice (HLT3IPA) in semester 2 of fourth year.

Third year
Teaching period
Unit code
Unit title
Credit points
TE-SEM-1 same as pass stream 60
TE-SEM-2 ORT3CLH Clinical Practice B Honours 50
TE-SEM 2/S ORT3CLR Orthoptic Critical Literature Review 10
Fourth year
Teaching period
Unit code
Unit title
Credit points
TE-SEM-1 ORT4OPH Case Management – Ophthalmic Disorders 15
TE-SEM-1 ORT4REH Case Management – Rehabilitation 15
TE-SEM-1 ORT4OPH Case Management – Strabismus and Paediatric Ophthalmology 15
TE-SEM-1 PHE4RMH Research Methods in Health 4 15
TE-SEM-2 HLT3IPA Interdisciplinary Professional Practice 15
TE-SEM-2 ORT4ORP Orthoptic Research Project 45

Advanced status

Enrolment with advanced status is available to qualified orthoptists wishing to upgrade to a Bachelor’s degree. Contact the school Administration Manager for details.

A full description of units, including the unit name, unit code, credit points, campus/location, unit coordinator, class requirements, assessment, prerequisites and readings, appears at the end of this chapter. For the most recent descriptions of units students should access the Unit Database at http://www.latrobe.edu.au/udb_publi.

Content Approved by: Director, Marketing and Communications
Page maintained by: Handbook Web Editor
Last Updated: 26 September, 2006

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