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Research Themes
The research of the department is directed to ten key focus areas.
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Research Groups
Our department has 13 principal research groups that investigate a vast range of topics related to vision science and optometry, including clinic-based research and laboratory-based research on the eye and brain in health and disease. Our research groups commonly collaborate across other disciplines such as Anatomy, Engineering, Psychology, Physics, and Ophthalmology, as well as with industry partners.
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Graduate Research
Our department has a thriving Graduate Research program, with graduate students investigating all aspects of vision science: from clinical-based research questions, through understanding retinal processing, to investigating decision-making processes in the brain. Although a student may have a primary research focus that is based within a single laboratory, it is not uncommon to have co-supervisors across different laboratories to allow collaborations across research areas.
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Facilities
In addition to research laboratories located in the Department's core facilities in the Alice Hoy building, the Department has a significant research footprint in the Kenneth Myer Building (part of the Melbourne Brain Centre) and research facilities at the UMeyecare clinic.
Research in the Faculty
The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences is Australia's largest biomedical research faculty. We employ more than 1500 academic staff, 4000 honorary staff and 1500 graduate researchers undertaking world class research across a wide range of health and social issues in a diverse range of research settings. Researchers are located at key sites across Victoria, with more conducting research around the world. These renowned experts from every field can be found in labs, hospitals, affiliated research institutes and all across the wider community.
Information and support tools for Faculty staff are available on the Faculty intranet.The School educates graduate entry and post-graduate students through accredited programs tailored to workforce needs nationally and internationally, enabling them to be competent and effective health professionals who are work ready and eligible for registration.
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Degrees
Our graduate entry and post-graduate degrees are tailored to workforce needs nationally and internationally.
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Honours in Vision Sciences
Look deeper into the Science of Vision as part of your Honours programme at the University of Melbourne. Research projects for Honours (Vision Science) can be viewed here.
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Scholarships, Bursaries and Prizes
The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences offer an extensive range of scholarships and bursaries to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students.
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Facilities & Resources
The Department has access to a number of facilities and provides a number of resources for its students, staff and supervisors.
Student Placements
Work-integrated learning, including placement, provides career-defining experiences for students and is integral to many programs within
the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.
The Department's research and teaching success is underpinned by active engagement with key stakeholders, the community and the profession.
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Alumni
The department has a focus on engagement and interaction with the community. We hope to keep all colleagues who graduated from the Department in touch with University of Melbourne news and views.
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Giving
We are grateful for the many ways in which our alumni and donors support the work of the Faculty.
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Partners
The Department has new relationships and long-standing affiliations with a number of organisations.
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Community
A key recent focus of the department‘s engagement strategy has been to increase the connection to the community and industry through the eye care clinic, UMeyecare.
Welcome to the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences
Professor Allison McKendrick
The Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences educates future optometrists, performs internationally recognised vision science research, and contributes widely to the advancement of optometry as an essential health care discipline.
Melbourne Eyecare Clinic
The Department of Optometry & Vision Sciences operates the Melbourne Eyecare Clinic which offers patient care primarily for University staff and students, but is also open to the general public and for specialist referral by other practitioners.
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