The Bachelor of Optometry is the degree which leads to the professional qualification as an optometrist. In Australia, the
Bachelor of Optometry is considered as an undergraduate degree, much like many other professional degrees including Medicine,
Dentistry, Law, Veterinary Science, etc. The Bachelor of Optometry is considered equivalent to the Doctor of Optometry which
is offered in North America.
There are two entry pathways in to the Bachelor of Optometry at the University of Melbourne for Canadian students.
Canadian student may enter the program directly from high school or after having completed Bachelor of Science courses or a degree.
The University of Melbourne offers an Optometry program which allows graduates to become certified as optometrists:
University Name: University of Melbourne
University location: Melbourne, Victoria
Name of program: Bachelor of Optometry
Faculty: Science
Campus location: Parkville (main campus - downtown Melbourne)
Brief description of program:
The practice of optometry involves the diagnosis and treatment of dysfunctions of the eye and vision.
Optometrists assess, diagnose and advise patients about their visual problems. Optometry is therefore one of the
health sciences, and is well established in the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It also plays an
important part in health care in Asian nations.
The Bachelor of Optometry is a five year degree with the first year of the course focusing on the foundation sciences
of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Statistics and Vision Sciences. The following four years are specific to the field of
Optometry.
Length of program: 4 or 5 years
Course Structure: The Bachelor of Optometry is a five-year course in which the first year covers the
fundamental sciences (the pre-optometry year) and the remaining four years comprise the Bachelor of Optometry.
| Pre-optometry year (1st year) |
|---|
| | |
| | 650-141 Biology of Cells and Organisms | |
| | 650-142 Genetics & The Evolution of Life | |
| | 610-141 Chemistry A | |
| | 610-142 Chemistry B | |
| | 655-111 Vision: How The Eye Sees The World | |
| | 655-152 Optics: From Rainbows to Digital Imaging | |
| | Plus one of: | |
| | 640-141 Physics A | |
| | 640-161 Physics: Principles & Applications A | |
| | 640-151 Physics for Biomedical Science A | |
| | 640-121 Physics A (Adv) | |
| | Plus one of: | |
| | 640-142 Physics B | |
| | 640-162 Physics: Principles & Applications B | |
| | 640-152 Physics for Biomedical Science B | |
| | 640-122 Physics B (Adv) | |
| BOptom (2nd year) |
|---|
| | |
| | 655-201 Anatomy & Histology of the Eye | |
| | 536-206 Physiology (Optometry) | |
| | 521-204 Biochemistry and the Eye | |
| | 655-221 Human Visual Functions | |
| | 531-202 Basic Principles of Pathology-Optometry | |
| | 620-272 Applied Statistics for Optometrists | |
| | 655-210 Optical Design and Ophthalmic Metrology | |
| | 655-222 Visual Processing and Control | |
| BOptom (3rd year) |
|---|
| | |
| | 534-307 Pharmacology (Optometry) | |
| | 655-328 Visual Neuroscience | |
| | 655-341 Ocular Histopathology | |
| | 526-306 Microbiology and Immunology (Optometry) | |
| | 655-321 Practical Problems in Vision | |
| | 655-351 Ophthalmic Lenses and Dispensing | |
| | 655-330 Functional Disorders of Vision | |
| BOptom (4th year) |
|---|
| | |
| | 655-451 Contact Lenses | |
| | 655-461 Assessment of Ocular Disease | |
| | 655-422 Occupational Optometry, Visual Standards | |
| | 655-462 Therapeutic Management of Ocular Disease | |
| | 655-430 Clinical Optometry Practice | |
| | 655-441 Diagnosis of Ocular Disease I | |
| | 655-442 Diagnosis of Ocular Disease II | |
| BOptom (5th year) |
|---|
| | |
| | 655-510 General Optometry Practice | |
| | 655-520 Specialist Optometry Practice | |
| | 655-540 Ocular Disease Management | |
| | Plus one of: | |
| | 655-530 Project Studies in Vision Sciences | |
| | 655-535 Advanced Project in Vision Science | |
The BOptom 5th year comprises 32 weeks.
Unique features of program:
The University's Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences is the first in Australia to offer a five-year Bachelor of Optometry program that encompasses therapeutic management of ocular diseases.
By expanding the Bachelor of Optometry to include therapeutic treatment of ocular diseases the degree, it:
* becomes the broadest in Australia, Europe and the UK
* is in line with degrees in the US
* reflects amendments to the Australian legal framework for optometrists.
The Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences is the only one in Australia that has an on-site clinic. With over 35,000 patients a year, this provides you with the opportunity to be presented with a broad range of clinical cases during your clinical year.
Why international students like to study at the university and this specific program:
The Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences at the University of Melbourne is one of the world's leading schools
of optometry. It enjoys a fine reputation for its teaching and research. The department has a large clinic,
providing excellent practical experience along with personal tuition for its students.
The Victorian College of Optometry cooperates with the University in the training of optometry students and the
Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences is located within the premises of the College. The National Vision
Research Institute and the Clinical Vision Research Australia are affiliated with the College and access its
facilities.
Intake: February
2007 tuition fee: AUD $27,600 (Estimated total tuition for the entire five year degree: AUD $159,300)
Total number of spaces: 40
Total number of spaces for international students: 8-10
Entry requirements/Pathways for Canadians:
There are two entry points:
Pathway #1. Pre-optometry year with direct entry into the Bachelor of Optometry:
You are accepted directly from the final year of high school (Ontario Year 12 or equivalent). Secondary subjects
required: English, Advanced Functions and Introductory Calculus, Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics, an
additional maths. An indicative average of 90 is required.
Subjects completed in the pre-optometry year include Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Statistics and Vision Sciences.
If you have been accepted into the pre-optometry year, you will be guaranteed a place in the optometry program
providing you complete the year satisfactorily.
Pathway #2. Complete first year of the Bachelor of Science course at the University of Melbourne or equivalent:
You can enter Year 2 of the degree following one year of a science course, which requires successful completion of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Statistics and Vision Sciences at a standard equivalent to that of the first year of the Bachelor of Science course at the University of Melbourne. An average of 80% in your first year is required for entry
OR on the completion of a Bachelor of Science, students may also enter Year 2 of the degree. An average of 80% of the Bachelor of Science is required for entry.
Students who study the first year of a Bachelor of Science at university level and intend to apply to
transfer to the four year Bachelor of Optometry at the University of Melbourne are normally advised to enrol and complete
subjects equivalent to the following offered at the University of Melbourne:
- 650141 Biology of Cells and Organisms
- 650142 Genetics and the Evolution of Life
- 610141 (or 610121) Chemistry A
- 610142 (or 610122) Chemistry B
- 640141 (or 640161 or 640121) Physics A
- 640142 (or 640162 or 640122) Physics B
- 655111 Vision: How the Eye Sees the World
- 655152 Optics: From Rainbows to Digital Imaging
How to Apply
Canadian students who wish to apply to the Optometry program at the University of Melbourne do so using one of the
following three methods:
Professional certification/accreditation:
The Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences and the Bachelor of Optometry course is fully accredited by the
Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand for the full term on the basis of quality and standard of its optometry
education and training.
Canadian students, who wish to practice as a optometrist upon their return to Canada, should visit both the College
of Optometrists in their province as well as the Canadian Examiners in Optometry website for accreditation and
certification information: www.ceo-eco.org
Students should also contact the International Optometric Bridging Program (IOBP). Designed to provide optometrists
educated outside Canada and the United States with a structured orientation to Canadian standards of optometric
practice, the program will provide all qualified applicants with opportunities to gain the critical language,
academic and clinical skills necessary for registration in all provinces of Canada.
International Optometric Bridging Program (IOBP): http://www.optometry.uwaterloo.ca/iobp/
Profile of current Canadian student: Rachel Sommer, Bachelor of Optometry
Visit: www.science.unimelb.edu.au/international/country.php?country=Canada#profiles
To obtain a University of Melbourne, School of Optometry Information and Application Package
or if you have questions
regarding the Melbourne Bachelor of Optometry program, please contact OzTREKK.
QUESTIONS / READY TO APPLY
Contact Matt at OzTREKK > matt@oztrekk.com
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