Required texts

There is no prescribed textbook for this unit. Students are advised to revise all suitable material from pre-requisite units in the Master of Optometry and Bachelor of Vision Science as the assessments necessarily includes assessment of content taught in previous units of the optometry program as this unit applies all that knowledge to patient care. 

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Artificial intelligence

Students are permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) as indicated in the assessment instructions for this unit, as well as Studiosity Writing Feedback Plus.

GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:

1. the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
2. the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
3. the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.

Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.

The  Library Guide provides further information, including how to .

Where possible, all assessment items will be submitted online via the teaching site in ÂÜÀòÊÓƵLearn. The first page of each assessment item should include the following information:

• Student ID number:
• Assessment Name
• Word Count (if applicable):

Students' names are not to be included on any assessment tasks/submission. Only Student ID numbers should be included (as per the and ).

Assessment items must be submitted to the assignment area in the ÂÜÀòÊÓƵLearn teaching site, relating to that piece of assessment. It is the student's responsibility to upload the correct and corresponding draft or assessment item, to the right submission section.

Late submissions will only be accepted for a limited period. If more than one late submission is made within that period, only the first late submission will be accepted for marking and may be subject to penalties as detailed in the .

Extensions

Students can apply for an extension to the submission due date for an assessment item due to extenuating, evidenced circumstances (specific details are found in the ). An extension must be applied for before the due date. Documentary evidence (e.g. medical certificate) will be expected for an extension to be granted, however this will not guarantee that the application will be successful. The Unit Convener or relevant Program Director/Course Convener will decide whether to grant an extension and the length of the extension.

An Assignment Extension form is available from the Student Forms page.

Special assessment requirements

In order to pass the unit, students must:

• attempt all assessment items, including subparts;
• attend all clinical placements, lectures, workshops and problem based learning (PBL). Note that for external accreditation reasons, attendance is compulsory and records will be kept. Students are required to submit an absence form (available via the unit's canvas site) and documentary evidence for EACH absence.
• achieve a minimum mark of 50% in the final theory examination (hurdle) 
• achieve a minimum mark of 50% in E portfolio part A to pass the unit (hurdle) and satisfy OCANZ patient quota requirements (hurdle).
• pass 100% of the OSCE stations to pass the unit (hurdle)

For information regarding the special assessment requirements for OSCE, please refer to the OSCE section under Assessment. 

This unit has an exemption from the supplementary assessment and hurdle policy as successful completion of each assessment item is required to demonstrate required professional competencies.

The unit convener reserves the right to question students on any of their submitted work.

If a student has a Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP) to apply to their studies, it is their responsibility to communicate with their unit convener in writing with the RAP attached at least 7 days before their assessment is due.

Students are required to cooperate in (laboratory classes, workshops or remediation sessions) where students may be asked to practise optometry skills on each other, so each student is the patient and practitioner in turn and in approximately equal duration. By both conducting the clinical procedures and participating in the tests, students will gain an insight and empathy into the issues associated with testing visual function, from the point of view of both an optometrist and patient.

This course aims to develop students' professional and communication skills in preparation for their journey towards being a health professional. During classes and placements, students will be required to demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict. Any action or omission that affects the safety of a patient or fellow students or staff, or is deemed disrespectful to patients, fellow students or staff can result in failure of a patient assessment task regardless of the aggregate mark for the assessment.

Virtual classes have additional requirements where students will further develop communication skills in the virtual environment. While in a virtual environment, students are required to present themselves and communicate with peers, staff and invited speakers in a professional way. Hence, the default for all virtual classes is for all student web cameras to be turned on during virtual classes. Staff/invited speakers may require students to interact either verbally, through polls or the shared chat function. Students who do not participate in this way can be marked as absent for the class. Students who need guidance on expected behaviours and participation may consult with the unit convener and/or Study Skills. Staff/invited speakers may request that cameras are turned off under certain circumstances.

Supplementary assessment

This unit has an exemption from the supplementary assessment and hurdle policy as successful completion of each assessment item is required to demonstrate required professional competencies.

Professionalism:
Students are required to cooperate in laboratory classes, workshops or remediation sessions where students may be asked to practise optometry skills on each other, with each student as the patient and practitioner in turn and in approximately equal duration. By both conducting the clinical procedures and participating in the tests, students will gain an insight and empathy into the issues associated with testing visual function, both from the point of view of both an optometrist and patient.

Contract Cheating
Contract cheating (academic outsourcing / ghost-writing) is a form of academic misconduct in which students submit written or creative work which has been drafted or produced by someone else and claim authorship for it. It includes (but is not limited to) using a third party, artificial intelligence, offering their services for commercial or other benefits, to complete (either partially or fully) an assignment or other assessment items on behalf of the student.

You are at risk of contract cheating if you ask someone (including artificial intelligence) to:

• Complete an assignment for you
• Substantially edit your assignment
• Do your university work for you, with or without compensation
• Check test or quiz answers
• Sit a test or quiz for you
• Provide someone with your ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ login details
• Use someone's work as your own

You may also be at risk of contract cheating if you provide information to people or organisations outside ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ, such as:

• Assignment questions and briefs
• Lecture notes
• Marking rubrics and marking guides

ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ considers contract cheating serious misconduct which may attract suspension or exclusion from the university. Furthermore, we, as an education provider, have mandatory reporting responsibilities under National Law. We are required to notify the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) if we believe that a registered health practitioner (including those with student registration) has behaved in a way that constitutes notifiable conduct including significant departure from accepted professional standards. Contract cheating can result in ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ submitting a mandatory notification to AHPRA.

Students can learn more about contract cheating in the Academic Integrity Module, a compulsory module that provides information about a range of issues including plagiarism and contract cheating. ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ provides arange of services to support student learning. Further information regarding Study Skills, Studiosity and Medical & Counselling services are available on your unit's Canvas site.

Artificial intelligence

Students are permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) as indicated in the assessment instructions for this unit, as well as Studiosity Writing Feedback Plus.

GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:

1. the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
2. the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
3. the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.

Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.

The  Library Guide provides further information, including how to .

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ students have to complete the annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the , , and ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

100% attendance for all clinical placements, lectures, workshops and PBL is required to pass the unit.  Students are required to submit an absence form (available via the unit's ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ Learn Canvas site) and appropriate documentary evidence for every absence.  The unit convener will assess the application; however, this will not guarantee that the application will be successful.

Required IT skills

The unit involves the use of ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ Learn Canvas, library searching skills, Microsoft Office Suite and online presentation skills.

This unit also involves online meetings in real time using the Virtual Room in the ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ Learn teaching site.  The Virtual Room allows students to communicate in real time with their lecturer/instructor, and other students.  Students will need a web camera and a microphone to participate verbally.  For best audio quality, a microphone and speaker headset are recommended.  Students are advised to go to the Virtual Room in the ÂÜÀòÊÓƵ Learn site and 'Join Course Room' for more information and testing their computer.  This will trigger a tutorial to help the student familiarise with the functionality of the Virtual Room.

Students are required to turn on their cameras for online classes and will be marked absent if their cameras are not turned on.

In-unit costs

Costs associated with clinical placements include but are not limited to:

- uniform related costs and uniform maintenance

- equipment related costs and equipment maintenance

Work placement, internships or practicums

This unit involves work integrated learning projects (WIL).  Students must adhere to University policy during WIL activities, including the Student Conduct Rules 2018, the WIL Policy and WIL Procedure, and the Assessment Policy and Assessment Procedure.

This unit has pre-placement requirements (e.g. Working with Vulnerable People registration, immunisation/s) which must be completed prior to the student's placement.

Additional information

Under section 143 of the National Law, an education provider must notify the National Agency if the provider reasonably believes — (a) a student enrolled in a program of study provided by the provider has an impairment that, in the course of the student undertaking clinical training as part of the program of study, may place the public at substantial risk of harm; or (b) a student for whom the education provider has arranged clinical training has an impairment that, in the course of the student undertaking the clinical training, may place the public at substantial risk of harm.

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