Skip to Main Content

Content

Course Tabs

Overview

Course Prescription

An integrative approach to the scope of optometric practice, addressing both the theoretical basis and clinical practice of the optometric examination, correction of refractive error and dispensing of optical appliances. Topics covered include: visual acuity, visual fields, colour vision, biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscopy, refractive examination, binocular examination, optical correction, lens materials and coatings, history taking, communication skills and clinical problem solving.

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 Contacts

Course Coordinator: Melinda Calderwood   m.calderwood@auckland.ac.nz

Course Director:   Dr Andrew Collins      a.collins@auckland.ac.nz

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.

Course Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions

Restriction

Additional Advice on Prerequisites

To complete this course students must enrol in OPTOM 316 A and B

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
Grafton

Teaching and Learning

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

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including 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.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

• Elliott David B. (ed) Clinical Procedures in Primary Eye Care (4th edn) 2014, Saunders, Philadelphia. ISBN 9780702052842

• Jaile M. Ophthalmic Lenses and Dispensing (3rd edn) 2008, Elsevier/Butterworth Heinemann, Edinburgh/New York. ISBN 0750688947

You will be sent log in details for the various laboratory-based digital resources that you will need to use during the course. These include the BIO simulator, and Electronic Examination Records system (training database).

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license. You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

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 course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

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 for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Additional Information on Assessment

Further information regarding assessments will be available on the course Canvas pages

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type12345678910

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester 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. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

Reflection of 2025:

Here’s what students said they liked about the course:

  • Lab sessions (and the escape room)
  • Resources and notes
  • Case analysis tutorials


Here’s what students said they would like to see improved:

  • Would prefer lectures in semester 1 rather than tutorials
  • Guidance at the beginning of the course about how to learn to answer questions in tests and exams
  • Improving the method of submission for the CEE assignments
  • The layout of the Canvas pages


These are the changes we will make for the next delivery of the course:

  • Revise the structure of the lectures/tutorials to find a balance between on campus teaching sessions with the ability for students to study when it suits them
  • Strengthen the guidance given about the level of answers expected in tests
  • Add additional assignments on Canvas to allow separate marks for each justification assignment
  • Revise the layout of the Canvas pages

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.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

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.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work 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. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

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.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.