Doctor of Optometry

The University of Melbourne

The Doctor of Optometry (OD) at the University of Melbourne is a master’s-level professional entry degree. The OD program is the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere, creating a new benchmark in optometric education.The course has full accreditation from the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ).The OD degree is a four-year full-time program consisting of a combination of on-campus teaching and clinical placements. Clinical studies commence in first year and gradually increase to full-time in the final year. The course covers the basic and applied optical, visual, and biomedical sciences that underpin optometry.A research project, with clinical relevance, is conducted as a required component of the degree. Students will also be given the opportunity to undertake clinical training at metropolitan, rural and overseas sites as part of their final year of study.The Doctor of Optometry is the pathway to an exciting and rewarding career in optometry. Specific graduate attributes have been carefully defined, developed and mapped to every component of the course. Graduates of the program will achieve:Understanding of the normal human visual system and its physical, chemical and biological foundationsExpertise to quantitatively describe light and its passage through optical systems (including ophthalmic instruments, ophthalmic lenses and the eye), the design of optical systems to meet required specifications, and quantitatively assess the nature and quality of optical imagesAs a graduate of the Doctor of Optometry, you can take advantage of high employment rates, no matter the pathway you choose to pursue.Most graduates of this course find employment through their final year of clinical placement. With an outstanding reputation for excellence in the field of optometry, the University of Melbourne has a vibrant placement relationship with private and corporate practices alike.

Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences

072811B