A. General Information – Optometry

Welcome to the University of Manchester and the School of Biological Sciences

We hope that you will have an interesting and exciting year.

The aims of this handbook are to:

• explain what you should do now
• tell you who does what, and where you can find people and places
• give you details of the coming year of your programme and help you in your selection of optional units
• give you general information about the School of Biological Sciences

The information provided herein is of great importance to you, so please do READ IT.

IMPORTANT DATES IN 2015-2016
Optometry

First Semester:
Monday 21^st September 2015 - Friday 29^th January 2016

Christmas Break:
Saturday 19^th December 2015 - Sunday 17^th January 2016

Second Semester:
Monday 1^st February 2016 - Friday 10^h June 2016

Easter Break:
Saturday 19^th March 2016 - Sunday 10^th April 2016

Examination Periods:
18^th – 29^th January 2016 (semester 1 exams)
16^th May - 10^th June 2016 (semester 2 exams)

Examination Result publication dates:
Thursday 25^th February 2016 - Semester 1 exam results
Friday 8^th July 2016 – Semester 2 exam results

August/September examination period:
22^nd August– 2^nd September 2016

August/September Examination Result publication date:
Monday 12^th September 2016

First and Second Year students should be available as patients from 16^th - 20^th May 2016

Third Year students are required to submit their clinical logbooks periodically for audit.
Final deadline: 29^th April 2016.
Final practical exams will be scheduled between 2^nd and 20^th May 2016.
Dissertation –Thursday 17th March 2016 - online submission via Blackboard no later than 16.00

Dates of additional Fourth Year MSci exams:
Deadline for submission of final two case records: 13^th April 2016
Practical exams: week commencing 18^th April 2016

Final Examination Vivas (Third year BSc and Fourth year MSci)
Week beginning 20^th June 2016

Selection Interviews for MSci programme
02 March 2016

Academic Calendar

http://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/key-dates/

 

Examination timetables

A personalised copy of your examination timetable will be provided shortly before the relevant examination period and you will receive a communication from the University in December and April informing you of how to obtain your personalised exam timetable. It is your responsibility to:

• check that there are no timetable clashes between any of your examinations (there should not be any if you have kept your registration up-to-date).
• ensure that you know when and where a particular examination will take place.

Misreading of the timetable or failure to locate an examination room is not a valid excuse for absence from an examination. As examinations may be held in a huge variety of locations, some of which are off campus, you are urged to check very carefully before the day in question that you know exactly where and when each exam will be. Campus maps and advice about locations can be sought from the Student Support Office.

Closely spaced examinations (e.g. 2 per day on consecutive days) may occur for many students and would not be considered grounds for applying for mitigation against poor performance.

If you have any queries regarding your timetable, please seek advice from either the Student Support Office, or the Student Services Centre.

If you are required to take August/September examinations, a personalised copy of your examination timetable will be provided shortly before the examination period (see provisional dates at front of handbook). It will not be possible to find out the exact date of the exam before this and the Faculty does not control the scheduling of examinations.

Examinations and religious observance

The University will make every effort to avoid timetabling assessments on religious days or festivals for those students whose commitment to the observance of their faith would otherwise cause them to miss the assessment. If this may affect you, you must fill in an ‘Examination and Religious Observance form’ from the Student Services Centre. More information is available at http://www.exams.manchester.ac.uk/exam-timetable/#religious-observance.

Student Charter

One of the University’s three core goals is “To provide a superb higher education and learning experience to outstanding students, irrespective of their backgrounds, and to produce graduates distinguished by their intellectual capabilities, employability, leadership qualities, and their ability and ambition to contribute to society” (from the University of Manchester Strategic Vision 2020).

Our Student Charter, developed jointly by the University and the Students’ Union, is an important part of how we establish and maintain clear mutual expectations for the experience of all students: undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research. It sets out what we can expect from each other as partners in a learning community.

The Charter provides an overview of the Manchester experience and refers to regulations, policies and procedures.

To access the Charter please go to: http://www.studentnet.manchester.ac.uk/enhancing-my-experience/charter/

Service level agreement for the Student Support Office

Communication

When fully staffed and for at least 95% of cases the following performance standards will be met:

• Respond to all emails within 2 working days. Where this will not be possible, for example, Welcome Week, students and staff will be notified by an automatic reply of the estimated response time if it differs from the normal service level agreement.
• Activate auto-replies when staff are out of the office providing an alternative contact for any urgent queries (this includes staff who work part-time)
• Answer the telephone within 4 rings where possible
• Pick up colleagues phones when they are away from their desk including when they are out of the office/on annual leave
• Set up voicemail messages only when colleagues cannot answer telephones.
• When the Student Support Reception is busy two members of the Education Team will cover it. e.g. Welcome Week
• Reception will be manned continuously between the hours of 0830 and 1700.

Aims and intended learning outcomes of the School with regard to undergraduate Teaching and Learning

Aims

The School's general aims are to offer undergraduate students a broad and thorough education in biological sciences within an institutional culture of high quality research and scholarship. The School aims to:

• deliver a range of broad and specialist degrees, informed by current research, which will equip students for careers within and outside science;

• provide students with subject-specific knowledge and practical skills linked to generic transferable skills which are integrated within the curriculum;
• ensure students develop skills in independent learning;
• employ a variety of teaching methods and assessment strategies to meet programme aims and needs of students with high entry qualifications;
• provide students with effective induction information, and ongoing academic and pastoral support and advice in order to enhance their progress and academic development;
• provide appropriate academic and support staff, laboratory, library and other facilities to ensure a high quality learning environment and experience;
• operate a management structure which monitors the delivery and quality of teaching provision in order to ensure high standards across our wide range of programmes;
• attract high quality students to undergraduate programmes;
• endeavour to ensure that students progress through programmes and acquire qualifications, knowledge and skills appropriate to their academic abilities.
• endeavour to ensure that students enhance their employability.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of their programmes undergraduate students should have:

• a detailed theoretical knowledge, based on a firm foundation, of the appropriate areas of science developed within an environment of excellent research and scholarship;
• received training in appropriate subject-specific and transferable skills in preparation for further study or employment either within or outside optometry;
• acquired practical laboratory and clinical skills in well-equipped teaching laboratories/clinics under the instruction of appropriate staff;
• the ability to evaluate scientific material and to answer questions through theoretical analysis, hypothesis, experimentation and data analysis;

 

• developed skills in computer literacy, IT, oral and written communication, team work and problem solving;
• developed skills in independent learning;
• benefitted generally from an education which has been broadened by the Faculty’s links with other institutions and the experience of working alongside international students.

In addition

On completing the four-year Master of Optometry degree students will have:

• gained experience of transferring their theoretical and practical skills developed within the university to the workplace;
• developed high quality practical skills and specific knowledge relating to the practice of science in an applied setting;
• developed interpersonal skills within the workplace;
• the ability to search the relevant literature both in written and electronic form and to assimilate and evaluate critically the information obtained;
• developed the ability to write a substantial scientific report based on results obtained from a research project.

Administration of the School of Biological Sciences

The School of Biological Sciences forms part of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH).

Although your main contacts in the School will be your Personal Advisor (see Section Personal Advisors) and Programme Director (see Section Programme Directors and where to find them (Undergraduate) (Postgraduate Taught)), some aspects of your course will be dealt with by the Student Support Office (see below) within the School. Management of Teaching and Learning in the School of Biological Sciences is the responsibility of the Education Management Team.

Your official contacts in the School

Student Support Office - Opening hours: 08.30 - 17.00 Monday to Friday

Room G.483 Stopford Building
Email: studentsupportoffice.sbs@manchester.ac.uk
Telephone number: 0161 2751487
Fax number: 0161 2751488

Director of Undergraduate Studies- Dr Nicky High
Room G.554 Stopford Building
Email: nicky.high@manchester.ac.uk
Telephone number: 0161 2755749

Deputy Directors of Undergraduate Studies – School of Biological Sciences
Dr Donald Ward
Dr David Boam

Senior Advisor - Dr Tracey Speake
Room 1.104 Stopford Building
Email: tracey.speake@manchester.ac.uk
Telephone number: 0161 2755693

Deputy Senior Advisor - Dr Richard Prince
Room 1.100 Stopford Building
Email: richard.prince@manchester.ac.uk
Telephone number: 0161 2755469

In addition, the following academic roles support the School:

Head of School – Biological Sciences - Professor Jane Worthington

Finally, the School has two ‘Writers in Residence’ Mrs Margaret Murphy and Mr Robert Chapman, who are funded by The Royal Literary Fund.

Margaret can offer students 45 minute tutorials on effective writing, which run on Thursdays and Fridays and can be booked at Http://www.wejoinin.com/writer.lifesciences@manchester. Students can email Margaret at writer.lifesciences@manchester.ac.uk.

Robert is available for tutorials on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11am-5pm (term-time only). Students can book appointments with Robert via email: rob.chapman@manchester.ac.uk

Robert and Margaret are based in room 2.532 in the Stopford Building.

Students can email Margaret at writer.lifesciences@manchester.ac.uk.

Programme Directors and where to find them

The Programme Director oversees the content of your Degree Programme, agrees your choice of optional course units during Welcome Week and assists your Personal Advisor in giving you advice on academic matters.

Optometry Programme Director	Dr Ana Hernandez-Trillo
Optometry Deputy Programme Director (Students)	Dr Carole Maldonado-Codina
Optometry Deputy Programme Director (Clinics)	Mr Will Holmes

Where to find people and places

There are maps showing room numbers posted in various corridors around the buildings
you are likely to use.

Finding rooms may be difficult at first and if time is short, it is usually quicker to ask the staff at the reception desks found at the front of most buildings. However, here are some guidelines:

Staff may have offices in the Michael Smith Building, the Core Technology Facility, the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, the Stopford Building, AV Hill Building or Simon Building.

 

To gain access to these buildings, you must first report to the Reception desk in that building.

Sometimes you will find the room you want inside another one. You will discover which ones by experience! During the free time in Welcome Week it would be wise to visit all of the locations for lectures, tutorials and practicals you are expecting to attend for the rest of the semester so that you feel confident about locating them in the short time between timetabled periods (sometimes less than 10 minutes).

You can find campus maps at http://www.explore.manchester.ac.uk/campus/

Communication – email/mail/announcements/texts

The Student Support Office is open 08.30 -17.00 Monday to Friday and should be your first stop for queries relating to your programme and general student support. Occasionally the opening times may vary, but we will inform you of this via the email announcement service (see below).

Effective communication between you, the staff of the School and the central administration of the University is vital. There will be many important official notices (including those on timetables, examinations and course assessment marks) for you to read and act upon during the year. There are three important channels of communication: electronic (email via your University email account,
announcements, the intranet, text messages nd Blackboard); paper (e.g. letters to your postal address); verbal (e.g. announcements in lectures and practicals).

Electronic communication: as part of registration you will be provided with a University email address and will be given a username and password. You must not pass on your username or password to anyone else and must not divulge email addresses of fellow students or staff to anyone else without their permission.

Verbal communication: staff may occasionally make verbal announcements in lectures and practicals that do not appear in any other fashion, so if you are late, or unable to attend something, be sure to check with a fellow student or the staff member concerned that you did not miss an important announcement. This is especially important for practical work; as if you are late you may miss health and safety announcements and may be denied entry to the lab.

Email and the Faculty Intranet Announcement Service are the standard methods used to communicate with students so you must ensure that you check your University email messages (including "Announcements" emails) on a regular and frequent basis - at least once a day. If you do not regularly check your email, your inbox may become full and important messages will not then get through to you.

Failure to respond to notices and mail means that you may miss lectures, tutorials or meetings, or it may even cost you money (e.g. library fines).

Email will be the main medium for communication with academic staff, including your Advisor. You will find their addresses in the email address books on the University network and on the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH) Intranet.  

PLEASE NOTE: email communication will only occur via your University email address and staff will not use or respond to any other email address except in very exceptional circumstances. Furthermore, you should not autoforward University email to a personal email address. Once personal email folders are full, new messages are deleted.

Text Messages: The School will endeavour to send any urgent messages that require immediate notification (such as cancellation of a lecture) via SMS text message to your mobile phone. To ensure that you receive these message you must ensure that your personal details held by the University are updated with any changes to your mobile phone number. If you do not wish to receive urgent messages in this format, please contact the Student Support Office.

MyManchester: My Manchester is a personalised online space for current students, which provides easy access to learning resources, services, student support and information, all in one place.

If your personal details change (term-time or home postal addresses, phone numbers, etc.) you must update your student record promptly or notify the Student Support Office if you are unable to make the changes via MyManchester. It is also your responsibility to ensure that your programme and unit information are correct and to notify the Student Support Office if changes are required. Any difficulties obtaining emails should be reported to IT Services -  http://www.itservices.manchester.ac.uk/help/.

As a rule, it is advisable to have mail sent to your local accommodation rather than to the School. However, if you need to quote a University address for mail, the correct form is:

Undergraduate Mail Box
Student Support Office
School of Biological Sciences
G.483 Stopford Building
The University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PT

All mail will be delivered to the Student Support Office.

 

Optometry Professional Bodies

The General Optical Council (GOC) (www.optical.org)

The General Optical Council (GOC) is one of 13 organisations in the UK known as health and social care regulators. These organisations oversee the health and social care professions by regulating individual professionals. The GOC is the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Its purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education and conduct amongst opticians. The Council currently registers around 22,000 optometrists, dispensing opticians, student opticians and optical businesses.

It has four core functions:

1. Setting standards for optical education and training, performance and conduct.
2. Approving qualifications leading to registration.
3. Maintaining a register of individuals who are qualified and fit to practise, train or carry on business as optometrists and dispensing opticians.
4. Investigating and acting where a registrant’s fitness to practise, train, or carry on business is impaired.

Under the Opticians Act 1989 the General Optical Council registers dispensing opticians and optometrists to practise in the UK. Section 8 of the Act details which routes the Council will recognise for the purposes of registration. Only those persons who have achieved adequate training and practical experience and who have achieved qualifications enabling registration may be registered to practise. A person may not practise as a dispensing optician or optometrist if he/she is not registered with the GOC. It is an offence to practise without being registered and a heavy fine can be imposed.

GOC Student Registration

Every student studying towards a degree in optometry must, by law (Section 8A of the Opticians Act 1989 and General Optical Council Registration Rules 2005), register with the GOC on an annual basis. Student registration has been implemented in order to safeguard the general public. Optometry students come into contact with patients during their degree courses and pre-registration year. The GOC needs to ensure that only those people suited to working within optometry or dispensing optics are able to gain experience of clinical practice, and study towards the necessary qualifications.

Any unregistered student who carries out clinical procedures may face prosecution. In addition, the GOC may not recognise your qualifications when you apply for full registration if you have not been registered as a student throughout your course. A further consequence of non-registration is that students may not be covered by the university's professional indemnity insurance policy.

To maintain your registration throughout your degree, you must renew your registration each year. The GOC will write to you with a reminder around May/June. Make sure that your contact addresses are kept up to date so that this form does not go astray. If you have not registered by August, you may be removed from the register. This means you will have to begin the whole application process as if you were a new applicant, and you will not be able to participate in clinical work at university until your registration is confirmed.

Once the Faculty have had confirmation from the GOC that you have paid your annual registration fee you will be reimbursed the cost. In order to be reimbursed you need to ensure that you have submitted your bank details online, instructions on how to do this can be found at the following link: http://www.studentnet.manchester.ac.uk/crucial-guide/financial-life/funding/bank-account-details/.

The College of Optometrists

The College of Optometrists is a professional body which supports its members in all aspects of professional development. The College provides the Scheme for Registration, continuous professional development opportunities, and advice and guidance on professional conduct and standards.  Student membership is free of charge and will allow access to many benefits. Further information can be found on their website; www.college-optometrists.org/).

The Northern Optometric Society

The Northern Optometric Society is one of the UK’s largest local optometric groups. It organises a programme of lectures throughout the academic year   offering continuing education to practicing optometrists in the north west of England.  Further information can be found on their website; www.northernoptom.com.

The Association of Optometrists (AOP)

As the leading professional organisation in the UK for optometrists, the AOP promotes the Optometry profession, and the development of high professional and clinical standards, as well as representing the needs and interests of individual optometrists and dispensing opticians.

The AOP provides professional advice on commercial, economic, legal and administrative aspects of the profession and industry to its members and the wider community.

All students (undergraduates and pre-registration trainees) can join the AOP free of charge. Further information can be found on their website; www.aop.org.uk.

Health and Safety

The work that you do this year will require knowledge of and conformity with health and safety rules. It is consequently important for you to gain a wide understanding of the legal and practical requirements for working safely.

The University of Manchester is subject to British and European Community law on health and safety. The University has therefore, a duty to formulate health and safety policies and to promote these. From time to time the University issues its updated “Health and Safety Policy Statement”, as well as Codes of Practice and Guidance Notes. Following the requirements stipulated in the latter, the School of Biological Sciences is required to devise regulations that are suited to its work.  These regulations apply to staff, students and visitors to the Faculty. Similar obligations and procedures apply to all employers in the UK, so that preparation and familiarity gained now could stand you in good stead for future employment. Please see the Health and Safety pages on the Faculty intranet.

An important set of regulations that require close attention are those that relate to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health; the COSHH Regulations. Everyone is required by these regulations to make an assessment of the risks that might arise during the storage or use of the substances that they use in their work. You must ensure that no one will be adversely affected as a consequence of the decisions that you make. During first year undergraduate practicals you will find that this will usually have been done for you by the practical coordinators (bear in mind that the term substance covers a wide range in relation to risk - biological as well as chemical). See https://app.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/hs/coshhdocuments.aspx.

It should be understood that these rules are not designed to prevent potentially hazardous work from taking place, but that they are designed to make sure that the work is done safely. This means that substances that might be hazardous to health can continue to be used when due precautions are taken by those engaged in the work. You are thus obliged to take these things into account yourself.  You are entitled to expect that due care has been taken by those responsible for supervising your work, but it is important to remember that your willing co-operation for the implementation of safety measures is required. It is thus reasonable to expect that, so far as is reasonably practicable, you prepare in advance for the work that you will undertake. You are required to take notice of the relevant safety information provided at the start of each practical laboratory class and to wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  In all cases this will consist of a white laboratory coat and goggles for all ‘wet’ practicals.  Other items of PPE will be made available as appropriate e.g. gloves.  You are required to keep the use of all personal items to a minimum in the laboratory in line with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).  This includes mobile phones and other electronic devices.  If digital devices are required then iPads will be provided, which are fully disinfected between classes and do not get used outside of the laboratory to minimise the risk of contamination to other users.

The first stage in the COSHH process is called risk assessment. You are required to refer to published information and, where appropriate, to ask for advice when carrying out this assessment. Manufacturers and suppliers are legally obliged to provide written information about the storage and use of substances. The range of examples to be considered is large, so that each individual substance must be considered, both alone and in conjunction with other substances to be found adjacently e.g. the same cupboard or in a mixture. The fact that a substance is within a container may not provide sufficient protection in all the circumstances that might arise, i.e. you are required to anticipate what could happen in the event of an accident.  Flammability is one example of the information to be provided but you would also need to know if a substance became hazardous or more hazardous upon heating (physically and/or chemically): i.e. would it become explosive; how it might react in combination with other things?  Then, what safety precautions and remedies must be provided?

The next stage is to decide how and in what circumstances a substance might be used safely, even if there is a risk. If there is a risk or the consequences of an accident could be serious, it would be necessary to consider the use of a satisfactory substitute. Someone in authority must decide this.

The principles of risk assessment cover all forms of activity in the place of work, and every activity should be assessed before you start work.  A person in authority will normally have carried out this assessment on your behalf, and it is important to adhere to the protocol you have been given.  You must be familiar with the contents of the relevant Risk Assessment before you start any form of work, and you must not make any changes to work procedures without the permission of your supervisor.  Risk Assessments for most common procedures can be found at on the Faculty intranet.

Finally, a decision has to be made by a person in authority, e.g. your supervisor; about who should do the work and in what circumstances should the work be done. You can expect to be informed about any particular hazards and methods that apply in a laboratory, so please take note during the safety briefing at the start of any practical class. Please note that if you are pregnant or breastfeeding you should inform the relevant member of academic staff (e.g. Practical Unit Coordinator or Supervisor) immediately, so that an individual risk assessment can be undertaken.  Please be assured that your confidentiality will be maintained and the outcome of the risk assessment will be handled with discretion.

Details of the dress code 

Hair
Hair must be neat and tidy. Students in clinical areas must not have hair untied if it is below collar length, and it should be tied back. Hair ornaments such as beads, large hair slides and combs should only be worn to keep hair tidy and off the collar. Beards and moustaches are permitted but must be trimmed and neat or rolled and tucked.

Head Coverings
Head coverings/turban and skull caps may be worn for religious reasons. All head garments must be clean, washed and changed daily and secured without loose ends. The wearing of facial veils during clinics is not permitted. 

Cosmetics / Toiletries/ Odours
Discrete cosmetic makeup and perfume/aftershave are permitted. Students are expected to keep their clothing fresh and free from odours.

Tattoos
All tattoos must be covered wherever possible.

Nails
Fingernails must be short and clean. Nail jewellery or false nails (including nail extensions) must not be worn in clinical care environments. Nail varnish is not permitted for students working in clinical areas.

Jewellery
In clinical areas the only permitted jewellery is one plain band ring and one pair of ear studs or a compulsory religious item e.g. the Sikh bangle (or kara). Modest visible body piercings are allowable. 

General Clothing
In general, clothing falling under this code requires students to wear smart shoes (no trainers) which cover the toes, and smart clothing underneath a white tunic; the tunic should be clean and ironed. Students should maintain a degree of modesty by ensuring that underwear is not visible above trouser tops; that tops and blouses cover the stomach, and there is no visible cleavage.

The following items of clothing are unacceptable:

• skin tight clothing
• short skirts and shorts (remember that skirts ride up when sitting down)
• crop tops
• frayed or torn clothing
• jeans
• T-shirts with written slogans
• excessively high heeled shoes/boots i.e. above 10cm
• excessive jewellery
• trainers

When neck ties are worn, they must be secured or removed when delivering clinical care. For Paediatrics and Low Vision, the above guidance applies, but white tunics should not be worn.

Name badges
Name badges must be worn at all times in clinical areas.

Data Protection

Data Protection Policy

The full university data protection policy is available on the University website. It is advised that all students read this policy. (http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/DocuInfo.aspx?DocID=14914)

Optometry Students have access to a large amount of patient information that is private and confidential. In order to maintain the confidentiality of our patients you will be asked to sign a data protection form each year.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES may a patient record be:

1. Removed from reception without the permission of the receptionists. If you require a patient record then you must fill in the book at reception with the patient’s name, date the record was taken and your name beside it. You must sign the book to say the record has been returned. You will be held personally responsible for the record when it has been signed out under your name. This record MUST NOT be passed on to other students (either as the original or as a photocopy).
2. Removed from the building AT ALL.
3. Left anywhere where there is the possibility of staff, students or patients viewing it. Do not leave records unattended in the rooms.
4. Any records that are not formal eye examinations must be treated in the same way, for example if you examine the eyes of another student or any of the volunteer patients. This cannot leave the building with a name on it. You may wish to just write Mrs M.C. or Mr X. If you decide you do not want to keep a copy then DO NOT just throw it in the bin, it MUST be shredded to allow confidentiality to be maintained. Please ask at Carys Bannister reception if you would like anything to be shredded.

Any student who breaches the above protocol will be held personally liable and will be subject to disciplinary action from the University.

Any student who requires further information or clarification of this policy can contact the Programme Director.

Data Protection Principles
Personal data must be processed following these principles so that data is:

1. processed fairly and lawfully;
2. obtained for specified and lawful purposes;
3. adequate, relevant and not excessive;
4. accurate and, where necessary, kept up-to-date;
5. not kept for longer than necessary;
6. processed in accordance with the subject's rights;
7. kept secure;
8. not transferred abroad without adequate protection. 

 

Acting as patients for exams 

All first and second year students are obliged to make themselves available as patients for third year practical examinations. Details of this commitment will be posted on the student noticeboard in the Carys Bannister Building. In the event of genuine difficulty in attending at the specified time(s) individuals should arrange for another student to deputise and provide the Examinations Secretary (Dr Caroline Thompson) with written notification of the new arrangements as soon as possible. Failure to do this will result in the penalty of a fine for each infringement. This non-attendance will be treated in the same way as an absence from a practical session. A note will be made in your student record, and will be made available to anyone writing references for you.

Your responsibilities as a Life Sciences student

The Optometry degree programme opens the way for you to undertake training in, and hopefully to enter, a profession with high standards of conduct and behaviour. You are expected, as an undergraduate optometrist, to behave in an appropriate and responsible manner in preparation for this. It is important that all students should have the best possible learning experience throughout their course and that this should not be disrupted by fellow students. To ensure this happens,

we expect you to:

• Show consideration in your behaviour towards other students, and towards the University staff, including administrative, technical and academic staff and occasional lecturers.
• Participate fully in all timetabled practical teaching/examining sessions; taking part as patient, practitioner or active observer as appropriate.
• Ensure that you do not commit yourself to other activities (e.g. part-time work) which interfere with your ability to devote sufficient time to your studies. The maximum amount of part-time work recommended by the University is 15 hours per week, but you should consider carefully whether this will interfere with your studies. If possible try to obtain work which is flexible such that you can reduce your hours near to examination periods.
• Maintain good communications with the administration of your degree programme. This will be via the Student Support Office, your Personal Advisor and your Programme Director. In addition, you should check your email account on a daily basis. You should make sure that any change of address is notified promptly.
• Attend all labs, clinics and associated sessions; all are compulsory. If you are unable to attend, for instance because of illness, then you follow the appropriate notification procedures (See Section Guidelines on Ill Health).   You should arrive on time and remain within each session until told that you can leave. If you are unable to attend a clinical session you must leave a telephone voicemail message with the Optometry Clinic Reception as soon as possible.
• Attend lectures: this is the best way for you to understand the unit content and the context of the material you are expected to cover. Lecture notes only show a small part of the material, and the background explanations, being presented by the lecturer. Make use of the supplementary material available via Blackboard..
• Behave in lectures, labs, clinics, and in the learning support areas of the University in an appropriate manner. e.g. arriving on time, not talking in lectures, not using mobile phones or tablets to make calls, send texts/email, and use social media sites..
• Respect the general health and safety requirements that apply to all work in laboratories and clinics, and any additional advice given to you in relation to particular procedures. You should ensure that you wear clothing appropriate to the laboratory and/or clinic environment and maintain a high standard of personal hygiene and behaviour compatible with your future profession. When considering whether clothing is suitable for the clinic, it should be similar to that you would wear for a job interview.

Bring Your Own Device

Within lectures and practical sessions there will be increasing use of interactive eLearning resources, therefore you should bring your own mobile device (Smart Phone/Tablet) for use in these sessions. Help configuring your devices for use with the University applications will be available during Welcome Week for first year students and through the Library help desk for all years.

Safeguarding your work

You must ensure that you back up your work on a regular basis to safeguard against loss, machine failure or theft. In addition to saving your work regularly to the secure University system in your ‘my documents/P: drive’ (for further information on P:drives please refer to the IT Services website.), you should back up your work on an external hard drive, USB memory stick, cloud storage, etc. (which you are advised to keep secure and separate from your computer). Do not save your work on the hard disc of Stopford PC cluster or other networked computers. Loss of data (i.e. your work) will not be accepted as a valid reason for extension requests or for late submission of work as this is deemed to be a preventable occurrence.

Do you need more space to save your files?

As academic submission deadlines approach, you may find that you need additional space in your "My Documents" area. Should you find that this is the case then please contact the IT Service Desk.

 NOTE: Access to "My Documents" will cease when you leave the University.

 

Student Societies

A number of societies run by students and covering a range of interests are affiliated with the Students’ Union and several of these concern the life sciences, in particular the School of Biological Sciences Society (SBSSoc). These societies are open to students and staff of the University. They usually provide a series of lectures, social or sporting events. You are likely to be canvassed for a subscription, and invited to participate in social and sporting activities, during Welcome Week.

 

 

The Optometry Society

This is a society set up for optometry students. There is a main committee within the society comprised of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Year rep, Social reps and Sports reps. It is the job of the committee to organise events; sporting, social and educational, for the benefit of the rest of the students. To join the Society there is a fee which covers the whole three years of study as well as the pre-registration year.

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