OPSC5002: Semester 1, 2025

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

Academic unit	Postgrad Coursework - SMS
Credit points	9
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Undergraduate knowledge of basic human cell and organ physiology
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Clare Fraser, clare.fraser@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Small continuous assessment	Journal club participation Preparation and contributions to Journal Club	10%	Multiple weeks	2 - 3 hours 3 times per semester
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Writing for Ophthalmic Physiology Written task	0%	Multiple weeks	4 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay Essay	30%	Week 06 Due date: 31 Mar 2025 at 23:59	3000-3500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Presentation Video presentation	30%	Week 10 Due date: 05 May 2025 at 23:59	6-8 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Oral test ?	Oral Test Oral test comprising of short answer questions.	30%	Week 13	15 minutes (oral)
Outcomes assessed:
= AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Writing for Ophthalmic Physiology Module (optional): Writing for Ophthalmic Physiology is a short module specifically designed to help students develop an understanding of the skills needed for their assignments for Ophthalmic Physiology. This is an optional module available at any time throughout the course.
Essay: Students are to write a 3000-3500 word essay on a topic provided.
Presentation: Students are to prepare a 6-8-minute presentation on a topic provided.
Journal Club: Students will be allocated a topic by the tutor. At the beginning of their allocated week, students are to source one journal paper related to the topic theme and prepare a short paragraph (no more than 500 words) summarising and critiquing their chosen article to facilitate discussion amongst their peers. Students are to contribute to the discussions during both their allocated and unallocated weeks.
Oral Test: The oral test will take place via Zoom during Week 13. The exact date and time will be communicated at a later date. Students will be allocated a 15-minute timeslot to answer a series of short answer questions.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found 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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

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

Required materials: The following equipment is required in order to take the oral test: a desktop computer or laptop (not tablet), a webcam and microphone, an internet connection speed of at least 2 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload speed and a browser with pop-up blocker disabled (Chrome is recommended).

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.

Adler’s Physiology of the Eye (12th Ed) Kaufman ed, Saunders Elsevier 2024
Review of Medical Physiology (21st Ed) WF Ganong, McGraw Hill 2003 26th Ed.

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.

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) text generators such as Chat GPT is now permitted for submitted assignments to aide in brainstorming ideas, approaches, assisting with structure and improving grammar and expression in your own work. Do not post confidential, private, personal, or otherwise sensitive information into these tools. If you use these tools, you must be aware of their limitations, biases, and propensity for fabrication. Your use of AI tools must adhere to the Student Charter 2020, including upholding honesty, ethics, professionalism, and academic integrity. Developing responsible use of AI is a critical part of professional behaviour. Ultimately, you are 100% responsible for your assessment submission. Please refer to Part 4 9 (j)(i) and 13 (i) of the Academic Honesty Policy 2022. If you use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in submitted work, you need to acknowledge its use during your submission. NOTE: The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is strictly NOT permitted in the oral test.

Disclaimer

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

This unit of study outline was last modified on 06 Feb 2025.

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

OPSC5002: Ophthalmic Physiology

Semester 1, 2025 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect