Masters of Optometry (Research)
Research Higher Degree Studies
The Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences is research focused and has a strong and active research program spanning a number of different sub-discipline areas. We are proud that so many of our higher degree graduates have pursued distinguished academic and research careers. We welcome talented science, optometry and medicine graduates from Australia and overseas who would like to complete a higher degree with the Department or its associated research bodies.
Entry Requirements
Graduates interested in research training usually undertake a PhD or MPhil degree. To be eligible to apply, you should hold an undergraduate degree plus a subsequent honours, postgraduate diploma or masters level qualification (minimum of 4 years in total) or a 4 or 5 year Optometry degree (which included a research project). It is possible to apply directly for admittance into the PhD program.
Students achieving at least third class honours in the final year of their undergraduate degree may be admitted to one year of probationary PhD candidature. At the conclusion of this probationary period, they can then be admitted to full PhD candidature. If their work is judged not to be of sufficient standard, they can submit for a Masters degree.
Applicants should firstly contact researchers within the Department with expertise in the proposed research area. This will ensure that appropriate research supervisors are chosen for the project.
Degree Opportunities
Masters of Optometry by Research (MOptom)
| Pre-requisites: | Students should have a qualification which entitles them to practise Optometry. |
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| Duration of Candidature: | 1.5 -2 years full time or 2-4 years part time. |
| Course Outline: | Candidates undertake research on a clinical topic under the supervision of an academic staff member, producing a thesis of approx. 30,000 - 40,000 words in length on their project. |
Masters of Philosophy (MPhil)
| Pre-requisites: | Students should have obtained a BSc(Hons) qualification or equivalent. |
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| Duration of Candidature: | 1-2 years full time or 2-4 years part time. |
| Course Outline: | Candidates undertake research under the supervision of an academic staff member(s), producing a thesis of approx. 30,000 words in length on their project. |
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
| Pre-requisites: | Students should have obtained a BSc(Hons) qualification or equivalent. |
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| Duration of Candidature: | Candidates proceeding directly to a PhD degree undertake one year of probationary candidature, followed by two years of candidature, giving a total of 3 years. |
| Course Outline: | Candidates undertake research under the supervision of an academic staff member(s), producing a thesis of approx. 80,000 words in length on their project. They are required to make a public presentation of their research findings in the year prior to submitting their thesis for examination. |
In addition to carrying out their research, all graduate students of the Department attend and participate in the weekly graduate seminar program throughout their studies. Graduate students are encouraged to develop their ability to present their research work and ideas both in writing and verbally. They are given assistance with writing up their work for publication in a scientific or professional journal and they make a short formal presentation of their work to the Department once a year.
We encourage students to travel overseas to attend major international conferences and present their research. There are travel grants to assist in attending conferences available from Departmental funds and upon application to the Melbourne Scholarships Office.
Research Laboratories
Students elect a general area of interest and the Postgraduate Coordinator and Head of Department will appoint a supervisor who is an expert in that area. Thesis topics are defined through discussion between the student and the supervisor. The following areas of interest and expertise are available in the Department:
- Ocular Growth & Myopia Research Laboratory
- Vision & Biophotonis Laboratory
- Clinical Psychophysics Unit
- Retinal Structure & Function Laboratory
- Visual & Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory
- Optological Laboratory
- Visual Functions Laboratory
- Eye Movement Laboratory
- Clinical Ocular Response Laboratory
- The National Vision Research Institute
International Students
International Students are warmly welcomed into our graduate program. We always have several international students in the graduate student group - some are optometrists, some ophthalmologists and some have a science or engineering background and wish to develop their skills in optics or in vision science.
Information on International Student admissions is available at:
Contact Details
For further information or application forms, please contact the Department