OPSC5002: Semester 2, 2021

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Units OPSC5002 Semester 2 2021 [Distance education/intensive on campus]

Unit of study_

OPSC5002: Ophthalmic Physiology

Semester 2, 2021 [Distance education/intensive on campus] - Remote

Overview

Successful students can demonstrate to the examiners that they have a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of physiology relevant to the practise of ophthalmology. Particular emphasis is placed on the organisation, function, mechanism of action, regulation and adaptation of relevant structures and their component parts. Students are also expected to have an understanding of the maturation and normal ageing changes of the human eye. They must have a thorough understanding of the methods used to measure the activity of relevant physiological processes such as intraocular pressure, retinal electrical activity and visual acuity. The advanced material covered provides the students with an opportunity to explore the subject in depth which fullfills the requirements for a post-graduate level qualification. On completion of this unit of study, students are able to describe the normal physiological functioning of the human eye and nervous system and the principal physiological laws and phenomena that apply to these systems. They can also describe how these physiological processes are measured and the limitations of such tests.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	OPSC5002
Academic unit	Save Sight Institute
Credit points	9
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	OPSC5001
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Undergraduate knowledge of basic human cell and organ physiology
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	John Grigg, john.grigg@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Presentation Video presentation	15%	Mid-semester break	5 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Writing for Ophthalmic Physiology Written task	0%	Multiple weeks	4 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay 1 Essay	15%	Week 05	2500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay 2 Essay	15%	Week 12	2500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Final exam (Live+ supervised)	Final exam short and extended answer questions	45%	Week 13	3 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Journal club participation Journal review	10%	Weekly	1 hour per week
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = Type A final exam ?

Assessment summary

See Uos on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Overview of General Physiology	Online class (3 hr)
Week 02	Protective Mechanisms - The Ocular Surface	Online class (3 hr)
Week 03	Protective Mechanisms - Posterior and Blood Supply	Online class (3 hr)
Week 04	Protective Mechanisms - Clinical Focus and Recap	Online class (3 hr)
Week 05	Maintenance Mechanisms - Anterior	Online class (3 hr)
Week 06	Maintenance Mechanisms - Retina	Online class (3 hr)
Week 07	Maintenance Mechanisms - Clinical Focus and Recap	Online class (3 hr)
Week 08	Ocular Mechanisms of Vision - Basics of Visual Acuity	Online class (3 hr)
Week 09	Ocular Mechanisms of Vision - Ocular Neurophysiology	Online class (3 hr)
Week 10	Ocular Mechanisms of Vision - Ocular Motility	Online class (3 hr)
Week 11	Neural Pathways and Processing - Pregeniculate Neural Processing	Online class (3 hr)
Week 12	Neural Pathways and Processing - Post-Geniculate Neural Processing	Online class (3 hr)
Week 13	Ocular Mechanisms of Vision and Neural Pathways and Processing - Clinical Focus	Online class (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

There are no other requirements for this unit.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 9 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 180-225 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Kaufman, P. L., Alm, A., Leonard, A., and Adler F, H. (2011). Adler’s physiology of the eye. (11th ed) Saunders Elsevier.
Ganong, W, F. (2003). Review of medical physiology. (21st ed.). McGraw Hill.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. describe the normal physiological functioning of the human eye and nervous system
LO2. describe the principle physiological laws and phenomena that apply to these systems
LO3. describe how these physiological processes are measured and the limitations of such tests.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

From Semester 2 2021 there will be a reduced number of weeks for Journal Club.

Additional information

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit.

Work, health and safety

There are no specific WHS requirements for this unit.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

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