Advanced Primary Care Optometry PG (10328.2)

Required texts

David B. Elliott. Clinical Procedures in Primary Eye Care. Elsevier 2020. ISBN: hardcover 9780702077890 or ebook ISBN:9780702077906.

Nathan Efron. Contact Lens Practice. 4th Edition. Elsevier 2024. ISBN hardcover 9780 7020 84270 

Visual Ergonomics Handbook. Edited By Jeffrey Anshel. CRC Press. 2019. ISBN paperback9780367392611.

Mitchell Scheiman, Bruce Wick. Clinical Management of Binocular Vision: Heterophoric, Accommodative, and Eye Movement Disorders. 5th Edition. ISBN 9781 4963 9973 1.

These books will be available for purchase online, and for loan at the UC library and via the unit reading list on Canvas.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Additional Information on Extensions & Late Submissions

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 Assessment Procedures). 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.

In the interest of providing timely feedback to the unit cohort, where late submissions are permitted, the mark allocated will be reduced by 10% of maximum available marks per day (or part thereof) up to and including three calendar days following the due date/approved extension/ reasonable adjustment. Late submissions may result in reduced feedback being provided.

Students will be allocated a mark of zero if submitting more than three calendar days late (without approved extension or reasonable adjustment), with no feedback provided. A student who does not undertake, submit or participate in a summative assessment, or who does not attend a timetabled exam without an approved deferral, will be allocated a mark of zero.

For the purposes of these penalties, all days of the week count, including weekends and public holidays, even when the University may be closed. For clarification, one (1) minute past the specified due date and time is considered a late submission.

It is students' responsibility to be familiar with the electronic submission process (e.g., the use of Canvas and Turnitin). Students are reminded to ensure they plan well enabling adequate time to submit assessments prior to the deadline, in order to avoid a mark adjustment. Penalties on late submissions will be strictly enforced. More details can be found in the Assessment Procedures.

A student who does not undertake, submit or participate in a summative assessment, or who does not attend a timetabled exam without an approved deferral, will be allocated a mark of zero.

Special assessment requirements

Course Work and Assessments for Aggregate Unit Mark

The final mark for this unit will be calculated by an accumulation of marks from each assessment item. Marks will be witheld until each assessment item is completed. To achieve a passing grade or higher in this unit, students must:

• Participate in all practical, tutorial, laboratory and guest lecture sessions;
• Attempt and complete all assessment items including non-hurdle items;
• Complete and pass all hurdle assessments including ungraded hurdles;
• Achieve a mark of at least 50% in the final theory exam hurdle;
• Achieve a mark of at least 50% in the final practical assessment hurdle; and
• Achieve a final aggregate (overall) mark of 50% or higher for the unit.

Oral verification of student knowledge: the Unit Convenor reserves the right to question students orally on any of their submitted work.

Eligibility for second attempt at a hurdle assessment: students who fail one more hurdle assessment(s) with a mark below 50% will be offered a second (and final) attempt at each hurdle, only if it is possible for the student to achieve an end of unit aggregate mark of 50% or above by passing the hurdles. If passing the hurdle(s) will not allow the student to pass the unit (because the unit aggregate mark will still be below 50%), then no second attempt will be offered.

How mark is affected: the mark that can be achieved on the second attempt of the hurdle assessment is a maximum of 50%. This 50% mark will replace the mark of the first hurdle assessment attempt if the student passes the second attempt at the hurdle. If the student does not pass the second attempt at the hurdle, the lowest mark achieved will be applied to the aggregate score. Therefore it is possible for the student's hurdle assessment mark and aggregate mark to increase or decrease by taking the second attempt of the hurdle assessment.

Timing of repeats of a hurdle assessment: If the hurdle assessment is a final practical or theory examination, the second attempt of the hurdle will be held during the deferred examination period. If the hurdle assessment is a deferred final practical or theory examination, the second attempt of the deferred hurdle will be held in the week immediately after the deferred exam period. Students who defer an assessment should avoid travel in the weeks following deferred assessments in case a hurdle needs to be repeated. Failure to attend a deferred or repeat examination may result in failing the unit. 

Example mark calculations:

Student A had an aggregate mark of 60% for the unit but failed the original hurdle exam, scoring 44% for the hurdle. They received an WH grade and were offered a second attempt of the hurdle. On second attempt they achieved a passing score of 56% for the hurdle, so the maximum mark of 50% was applied for the second assessment attempt. The new 50% score was applied, the aggregate unit mark was adjusted upwards and they received a pass grade for the unit.

Student B had an aggregate mark of 60% for the unit but failed the original hurdle exam, scoring 35% for the hurdle. They received an WH grade and were offered a second attempt of the hurdle. On second attempt they scored 30% for the hurdle, their hurdle assessment mark and aggregate unit mark were adjusted down accordingly and they received an NX grade.

Student C had an aggregate mark of 25% for the unit leading up to the hurdle. They failed the original hurdle exam scoring 40% for the hurdle. They received an NX grade and were not offered a second attempt of the hurdle, as passing the hurdle and receiving a 50% grade for it would not provide them enough aggregate marks to allow them to pass the unit.

Supplementary assessment

This unit is not in the final semester of the course, and a supplementary assessment is NOT available.

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in assessments for this unit, except for Studiosity Writing Feedback Plus.

GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. 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 GenAI for Students Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI. 

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. 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.

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

UC 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 Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

For this 9 credit point unit the total notional workload over a semester or term is assumed to be 450 hours. Engagement with the lectures, practicals, tutorials and engagement with materials on Canvas is expected in order to complete the unit at Masters level.

Inclusion and engagement

If you have a RAP that you wish to apply to your studies, it is your responsibility to communicate with your Unit Convener in writing by email at least 7 days before your in-class assessment is due. Please attach your RAP to your request. 

Please note that RAPs apply to written assignments only in this unit. If you have a Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP) that you wish to apply to your studies, it is YOUR responsibility to communicate with your Unit Convener in writing by email at least 7 days before your in-class assessment is due. Please attach your RAP with your request. 

No extra time from a RAP can be applied to practical assessments in this unit. Impairments that impact a student's ability to carry out ocular assessments are required to be disclosed to the Unit Convenor and clinical educators. Alternative examination techniques and strategies will be taught to students who require it, to ensure that they can appropriately examine patients and that patient safety is not compromised.

Participation requirements

This Unit contains participatory elements which are vital to the Optometry Board of Australia entry-level competencies for optometrists (https://www.optometry.org.au/history/entry-level-competency-standards-for-optometry-revised-to-reflect-current-best-practice/). Students are expected to work towards and gain these competencies during the Master of Optometry Course and achieve competencies outlined in the UC Fourth-Year Clinical Rubric.

Please note, not all learning material covered in lectures, e.g. worked examples of problems or discussion in small groups, can be captured by the lecture recording software. Students are required to attend for the entire time scheduled for tutorials, practicals, laboratories and presentations. Students who are late by more than 15 minutes without an adequate documented reason will be regarded as absent; students who leave before the end, unless all assigned work has been completed to the satisfaction of the lecturer or tutor will be regarded as absent from the tutorial.

It is expected that students unable to fulfil these participation requirements will inform the Unit Convener as soon as practical, by telephone or email. If attendance requirements cannot be regularly satisfied (e.g. timetable clash) it may be recommended that you schedule this unit for a future semester. Failure to adhere to these requirements may result in failure of the associated assessment piece.

For inability to attend a scheduled laboratory session, an ‘Absence from Laboratory' form (available on UCLearn Canvas) with supporting documentation must be submitted to the Unit Convener; students may be requested to attend an additional laboratory sessions outside of timetabled hours within or outside weeks 1-13 to complete the required tasks. Consideration will be given for illness; however, evidence such as a medical certificate will be required. The final decision will be at the discretion of the Unit Convener. Contact details for the Unit Convenor and the Faculty of Health Administration Office are given in Section 1.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Students who have already successfully completed Optometry for Special Populations in Semester 1 will be required in Semester 2 to complete preparation for their 5th year clinical placement by week 8, for example vaccinations and working with vulnerable people checks, so they are eligible to commence placements the following semester. More information can be found by contacting InPlace via MyUC.

Required IT skills

The use of UC Learn Canvas, library searching skills, reference management software, word and data processing (Microsoft Office Suite) and electronic presentation skills are necessary for this unit. 

In-unit costs

Students are expected to purchase their own non-programmable scientific calculator and small tape measure in addition to the Optometry Student Equipment Starter Kit and may additionally purchase equipment as described above in Materials and Equipment section 4b. Students may wish to save to their own device or print electronically provided material for their own study. 

Work placement, internships or practicums

For students who have already completed 10329, Optometry for Special Populations PG, this unit precedes an observational or clinical placement. Successful completion of this unit 10328 Advance Primary Care Optometry PG, along with successful completion of 10329 Optometry for Special Populations PG, enables students to enrol in the clinical placement units for the Masters of Optometry Program. 

This unit has pre-placement requirements (e.g. Working with Vulnerable People registration, immunisations, recording of relevant details in InPlace etc), which must be completed prior to commencement of your observational or clinical placement; refer to Placement Requirements. 

For repeating students, if the pre-placement requirements were completed more than 6 months ago, students are advised to contact InPlace (inplace.canberra.edu.au) early in semester 2 of the current year to ensure their documents are up to date for semester 1 of the following year.

Students must adhere to University policy during WIL activities, including the University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023, the WIL Policy and WIL Procedure, and the Assessment Policy and Assessment Procedure.

Contact your unit convener if you have any concerns with meeting the requirements of this unit.

Additional information

Academic Misconduct and Contract Cheating.

Contract cheating (academic outsourcing / ghost-writing / use of artificial intelligence) 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, 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. Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in assessments for this unit, except for Studiosity Writing Feedback Plus.

You are at risk of contract cheating if you ask someone 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 UC login details; use artificial intelligence to complete your assignment. You may also be at risk of contract cheating if you provide information to people or organisations outside UC, such as: assignment questions and briefs; lecture notes; marking rubrics and marking guides.

UC considers contract cheating serious misconduct which may attract suspension or exclusion from the university. Furthermore, we, as your 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 signature departure from accepted professional standards. Contract cheating may also result in UC submitting a mandatory notification to AHPRA.

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

Professional Obligations

Pursuant to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009, optometry practitioners (registered optometrists) and education providers have an obligation to report ‘notifiable conduct', to the Optometry Board of Australia in order to prevent the public being placed at risk of harm.

Education providers are also required, under s.143 of the National Law, to make mandatory notifications in relation to students, if the provider reasonably believes:

• a student enrolled with the provider has an impairment that, in the course of the student undertaking clinical training, may place the public at substantial risk of harm; or
• a student for whom the 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.

Practitioners are required to make a mandatory notification in relation to a student if the practitioner reasonably believes that a student has an impairment that, in the course of the student undertaking clinical training, may place the public at substantial risk of harm.

All concerns raised within the Discipline of Optometry or by clinical preceptors will be reviewed by the Discipline Lead and the Course Convener before any reporting action is taken.These professional obligations are taken seriously by staff and the University. Students should be aware of their obligations under student registration.

For further information, please refer to: https://www.optometryboard.gov.au/policies-codes- guidelines/guidelines-for-mandatory-notifications.aspx

• Semester 2, 2026, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (233305)
• Semester 2, 2025, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (226742)
• Semester 2, 2024, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (222028)