Assessment of Optometric Competence PG (10330.1)

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

Special assessment requirements

In order to pass the unit, students must:

- attempt all assessment items

- attend all clinical placements, lectures, workshops and problem based learning (PBL)

- achieve a minimum mark of 50% in each of the components of the E portfolio to pass the unit (hurdle)

- achieve a minimum mark of 50% in the final examination (hurdle)

- achieve a minimum mark of 50% in each of the components (or stations) of OSCE and pass at least 50% of the total number of stations. (hurdle)

Please note that the unit convener reserves the right to question students on any of their submitted work.

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

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 in-class assessment is due.  

Students are required to cooperate in (laboratory classes, workshops or remediation sessions) where students may be asked to practice 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, you 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. 

This course aims to develop your professional and communication skills in preparation for your journey towards being a health professional. During classes and placements, you 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 your patient or peers or is deemed disrespectful to your patients, fellow students or the teaching staff can result in failure of a patient assessment task regardless of the aggregate mark for the assessment. Virtual classes have additional requirements where you 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. Instructors may require students to interact either verbally, through polls or the shared chat function. Students who do not participate in this way will be marked as absent for the class. Students who need guidance on expected behaviors and participation may consult with the unit convenor and/or Study Skills. Instructors may request that cameras are turned off under certain circumstances.

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software

The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.

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 UC 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 UC 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 UC 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 UC 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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