20. Ophthalmic science
Graduate Diploma in Medicine (Ophthalmic Science)
(GradDipMed(OphthSc)) KF037
Graduate Diploma of Science in Medicine (Ophthalmic Science)
(GradDipScMed(OphthSc)) KF038
Master of Medicine (Ophthalmic Science)
(MMed(OphthSc)) KC047
Master of Science in Medicine (Ophthalmic Science)
(MScMed(OphthSc)) KC048
Overview
Ophthalmic science aims to prevent blindness, promote eye health and rehabilitate those with a visual disability. The courses provide graduates with the core knowledge and understanding of basic ophthalmic science and thus enable them to practice ophthalmology at the highest possible standard.
The degree teaches ocular anatomy, physiology, optics, genetics, pathology, practical ophthalmic science and is completed with a treatise in the field of ophthalmology.
Units of study are delivered online, with the exception of the 'Practical Ophthalmic Science' unit, which is delivered face-to-face in block mode.
The Master of Medicine (Ophthalmic Science) and the Master of Science in Medicine (Ophthalmic Science) are essentially the same program but with different admission requirements, and the same applies to the Graduate Diploma in Medicine (Ophthalmic Science) and the Graduate Diploma of Science in Medicine (Ophthalmic Science).
Only medical graduates (ie those with an MBBS) may be admitted to the Master of Medicine/Graduate Diploma in Medicine, while non-medical graduates may be admitted to the Master of Science in Medicine/Graduate Diploma of Science in Medicine.
Students enrolled in the Master of Medicine and Master of Science in Medicine follow the same program of study, with the only difference being the title of the degree they are awarded on completion.
Admission
Graduate Diploma in Medicine (Ophthalmic Science) and Master of Medicine (Ophthalmic Science)
Admission requires a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Sydney or other approved institution.
Graduate Diploma of Science in Medicine (Ophthalmic Science) and Master of Science in Medicine (Ophthalmic Science)
Admission requires either a bachelor's degree with first or second class (division I) honours from the University of Sydney or another approved institution, or a bachelor's degree with a good pass from the University of Sydney or another approved institution.
Structure
The graduate diplomas are embedded in the master’s degrees (see chapter 8 for an explanation of embedded degrees).
The majority of the degree is in the form of distance learning. Practical Ophthalmic Science is a 3-week block/intensive mode (3x5 days) to be taken at either the Save Sight Institute, Sydney, NSW or at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. The unit of study will be held during the inter-semester break.
| Course | Credit points for award |
Duration full-time | Duration part-time |
|---|---|---|---|
| GradDipMed(OphthSc) | 36 | 1–2 years | 1–3 years |
| GradDipScMed(OphthSc) | 36 | 1–2 years | 1–3 years |
| MMed(OphthSc) | 48 | 1–3 years | 2–6 years |
| MScMed(OphthSc) | 48 | 1–3 years | 2–6 years |
The graduate diploma comprises four core units of study (see tables on core units of study below and chapter 31 for unit of study details). Additional units of study are available if students are granted an exemption for any of the core units of study.
The master’s degree comprises five core units of study (see tables on core units of study below and chapter 31 for unit of study details). Additional units of study are available if students are granted an exemption for any of the core units of study.
Ophthalmic science core units of study
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
Core units of study for the graduate diplomas and master’s degrees |
|||
| OPSC5001 Ophthalmic Anatomy |
9 | A Undergraduate knowledge of basic human anatomy |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| OPSC5002 Ophthalmic Physiology |
9 | A Undergraduate knowledge of basic human cell and organ physiology C OPSC5001 |
Semester 1 |
| OPSC5003 Ophthalmic Optics |
9 | A Undergraduate knowledge of physics relating to light and optics |
Semester 2 |
| OPSC5004 Practical Ophthalmic Science |
9 | A Undergraduate knowlegde of physics relating to light and optics P OPSC5001 and (OPSC5002 or OPSC5003 or OPSC5013) |
S2 Late Int |
Core unit of study for the master’s degrees |
|||
| OPSC5005 Treatise |
12 | P OPSC5001 and OPSC5002 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| Master’s degree students must enrol in OPSC5005. A student must be enrolled in order to submit the treatise. If a student is not able to submit his/her treatise after enrolling in OPSC5005 for one semester, he/she must enrol in OPSC5005, with the concomitant financial liability, every semester until he/she submits. | |||
Ophthalmic science additional units of study
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPSC5011 Ocular Genetics |
9 | P OPSC5001 C OPSC5002 N OPSC5012 Note: Department permission required for enrolment Students request permission from the unit of study coordinator to enrol in this unit of study. The coordinator emails the Postgraduate Student Administration Unit advice that the student has permission to enrol. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| OPSC5012 Ocular Pathology |
9 | P OPSC5001 C OPSC5002 N OPSC5011 Note: Department permission required for enrolment Students request permission from the unit of study coordinator to enrol in this unit of study. The coordinator emails the Postgraduate Student Administration Unit advice that the student has permission to enrol. |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| These units of study are only available to students with an exemption for a core unit of study. | |||
Further enquiries
Ms Eleanor Viney
Phone: +61 2 9382 7284
Fax: +61 2 9382 7318
Email:
Website: www.eye.usyd.edu.au