FACULTY OF SCIENCE

SCHOOL OF OPTOMETRY AND VISION SCIENCE

VISN2211
Organisation and Function of the Visual System

SEMESTER 2, 2016

Table of Contents

1. Information about the Course................................................................................................... 2

2. Staff Involved in the Course...................................................................................................... 2
3. Course Details.......................................................................................................................... 3
4. Rationale and Strategies Underpinning the Course..................................................................4
5. Course Schedule..................................................................................................................... 5
6. Assessment Tasks and Feedback.............................................................................................6
7. Additional Resources and Support............................................................................................ 7
8. Required Equipment, Training and Enabling Skills...................................................................7
9. Course Evaluation and Development........................................................................................ 8
10. Administration Matters............................................................................................................ 9
11. UNSW Academic Honesty and Plagiarism............................................................................12

Faculty of Science - Course Outline

1. Information about the Course
NB: Some of this information is available on the UNSW Handbook1

Year of Delivery
Course Code
Course Name
Academic Unit
Level of Course
Units of Credit
Semester(s) Offered
Assumed Knowledge,
Prerequisites or Corequisites
Hours per Week

Number of Weeks
Commencement Date

2016
VISN2211
Organisation and Function of the Visual System
School of Optometry and Vision Science
2nd year Undergraduate
6UOC
Semester 2
Prerequisite: VISN2111, OPTM2211
3 5 hours per week
3hrs lectures
2hrs tutorials/pracs per fortnight
12 weeks
Monday 1st of August, 2016

Summary of Course Structure (for details see 'Course Schedule')

Component

HPW

Time

Day

Lectures

Lecture 1

12.00 14.00

Monday

Lecture 2

13.00 14.00

Wednesday

Lab Option 1

16.00 18.00

Monday

Lab Option 2

16.00 18.00

Tuesday

Lab Option 3

10.00 12.00

Wednesday

Lab Option 4

12.00 14.00

Thursday

Lab Option 5

16.00 18.00

Thursday

Location

Colombo Theatre C (KB16-LG05)

Old Main Building 149
(K-K15-149)
Quadrangle G041 (KE15-G041) weeks 3-10
Optometry Computer
Lab (K-K15-LG21)
weeks 11-13
Quadrangle G041 (KE15-G041) weeks 3-10
Optometry Computer
Lab (K-K15-LG21)
weeks 11-13
Quadrangle G041 (KE15-G041) weeks 3-10
Optometry Computer
Lab (K-K15-LG21)
weeks 11-13
Quadrangle G041 (KE15-G041) weeks 3-10
Optometry Computer
Lab (K-K15-LG21)
weeks 11-13
Quadrangle G041 (KE15-G041) weeks 3-10

1 UNSW Online Handbook: http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au

2

Optometry Computer
Lab (K-K15-LG21)
weeks 11-13

TOTAL

Students must attend all tutorial and lectures. Students may be denied assessment if
an 80 % attendance rate is not met.

Special Details

2. Staff Involved in the Course

Staff
Course Convenor

Role

Additional Teaching
Staff

Lecturers &
Facilitators
Tutors &
Demonstrators
Technical &
Laboratory Staff
Other Support
Staff

Name
Dr Sieu Khuu

Contact Details

Consultation Times

[email protected]

by appointment

Dr. Kirsten
Challinor
Mr. Eric
Chung

[email protected]

by appointment

[email protected]
m

by appointment

3. Course Details
Course Description2
(Handbook Entry)

Vision Science is a discipline that incorporates knowledge of optometric practices

dealing with the functioning of the eye, and core understanding of the ability of the
visual system to process light information. This course will provide insights into the
functioning of the human visual system, its cortical origins and how it underpins visual
behaviour. Taught materials will build upon Vision Science 2A (VISN2211, session 1),
and will be disseminated in weekly lectures, group discussions, and laboratory
practicals in which students will be exposed to the primary methods of vision science.
Topics include the following: Spatial vision: visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, aliasing,
alignment thresholds, local- and global-form processing; Colour Vision: retinal and
cortical processing, colour constancy, colour identification; Binocularity: models of
depth perception, Panum's area, horopter, stereoacuity, monocular depth perception,
summation, stereopsis tests; Motion Perception: models of motion perception, the
aperture problem, adaptation, local- and global-motion. Cognition: shape recognition,
face perception, visual illusions, visual attention, visual deficits. Visual Psychophysics
and Research methods: Signal detection theory, threshold estimation and descriptive
and inferential statistics.

Course Aims3

Student Learning
Outcomes4

This course aims to develop understanding of the human visual system and the
scientific methods used to study it.
After taking this course, you will have developed your understanding of behavioural
vision science, which serves to complement knowledge of optometric practices and
contribute to your overall training. Particularly, you will gain experience in, and or
capable of explaining, the following issues:
1) Understanding the organization of the visual system. This ability is important
since knowledge of neural mechanisms and their functioning will facilitate
understanding of broader issues in both optometry and behavioural vision
science.
2) Familiarity with the mechanisms underlying everyday visual processes such as
the perception of motion, form, colour and binocularity.
3) Recognition of visual phenomenon and visual illusions and how they provide
clues to the functioning of the visual system.
4) The ability to conduct research in behavioural vision science and to
communicate findings to other vision scientists and to the general public.
5) Interest and relevance to a career in optometry. The course will show you how
vision science is interesting and exciting, and during the course your increased
interest in the area should be apparent. Interest is often demonstrated by
wanting to find out more, and particularly by asking questions during lectures
and laboratory/tutorial sessions. At the end of the course, you will be able to
recognize the relevance of vision science to optometric practice, following your
research into how these topics are used in practice, and in other types of
optometrists work.
Note that the pass mark for this course is 50%.

Graduate Attributes Developed in this Course5

2 UNSW Handbook: http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au

3 Learning and Teaching Unit: Course Outlines
4 Learning and Teaching Unit: Learning Outcomes
4

Select the level of

FOCUS

Science Graduate
Attributes (maybe replaced
by UNSW, School or
professional attributes)

The foundation of behavioural vision science is experimental

research and the dissemination of scientific research presents one
of the best methods to teach vision science. In this course, and in
addition to lectures, you will be required to research one vision
science topic, and to comment on how optometrists use this area in
their work.

Lectures include sessions in which students have the opportunity to

ask questions, and for the lecturer to raise issues or topics for
debate. The aforementioned research assessment focuses at the
heart of intellectual development, as students will be required to
conduct research on a particular topic in vision science.

Vision science underpins the profession of Optometry, and in this

course you will become aware of the importance of vision science in
the practice of Optometry and other Vision Sciences. Particularly,
ethical and professional considerations in conducting research in
vision science.

Communication is of great importance to this course and students

will be encouraged in the lectures and laboratories to communicate
their ideas and thoughts through group discussions. In addition, as
mentioned, students will also be required to present the findings of
their researched vision science topic and discuss their findings in an
open forum.
Knowledge of the materials of this course will provide a
contemporary view of vision science, which will facilitate effectively
communication between vision scientists of other disciplines (e.g.,
Psychologists, neuroscientists) and to lay people.

The research assignment will be conducted in groups, and thus,

communication between students is of importance for their
successful completion.

There is a wealth of knowledge/literature concerning the functioning

of the visual system. Students must consult this literature database
to understand key concepts covered by this unit. In addition to
textbooks, which provide the starting point for understanding,
students will be given, or find, research articles to facilitate learning.
In addition, the research assignment will require students to
independently seek relevant information, interpret their findings and
incorporate findings in their discussions.

Research, inquiry and

analytical thinking
abilities

Capability and motivation

for intellectual
development

Ethical, social and

professional
understanding

Communication

Teamwork, collaborative
and management skills

Information literacy

Activities / Assessment

0 = NO FOCUS
1 = MINIMAL
2 = MINOR
3 = MAJOR

5 Contextualised Science Graduate Attributes: http://www.science.unsw.edu.au/our-faculty/science-graduate-attributes

5

Major Topics
(Syllabus Outline)

Topics discussed in this course include the following:

Methods used in the assessment of visual function
An overview of visual brain function
Visual detection and discrimination
Spatial vision
Temporal vision
Colour vision
Binocular vision
Motion perception
Research Methods

Relationship to Other
Courses within the
Program

This course is a prerequisite to VISN3111, which in turn is a prerequisite to VISN3211.

The latter in particular requires more active involvement in the course, with in-depth
investigation into one or more areas of vision science, including laboratory visits to local
eminent vision scientists. The insight provided by the present course offers a solid
basis for the more in-depth and independent learning that is a requirement in later
vision science courses.

4. Rationale and Strategies Underpinning the Course

Teaching Strategies

The teaching mediums of this course include weekly lectures and laboratory practicals.
Lectures in this course are the primary means by which material will be delivered, while
laboratory practicals provide hands on experience with visual stimuli, illusions,
computational models and applied research, beyond theory. In both forums, students
are encouraged to engage in discussion through focus questions and set problems.
As mentioned, the research assignment requires you to conduct your own research on
an area of vision science, and communicate your research in a written report, and to
present findings to the class. Importantly, assignment requires you to consider how the
vision science you are learning is relevant to optometrists work, and the rationale for
this is that it will make the relevance of these topics clear to you, with the intention of
enhancing your learning, your interest and your enthusiasm.

Rationale for learning and

teaching in this course6,7

This course is part of a collection of vision science courses offered in the School of
Optometry and Vision Science. As you progress, you will find that you are increasingly
required to become more actively involved in course activities, in research topics, and
more able to work without close supervision.
The mode of delivery of this course, which emphasizes a good mixture of lectures and
laboratories, presents the most effective means for teaching behavioural vision science.
Students are exposed to appropriate amounts of theory/concepts in lectures and the
application of theories/concepts in laboratory practicals.

6Reflecting on your teaching

6

5. Course Schedule

Week

Lectures (day),
Topics & Lecturers

Tutorials (day),
Topics & Lecturers

Introduction

Tutorial Reading: Eagleman D.M.

(2001). Visual illusions and
Neurobiology. Nature Reviews
Neuroscience, 2, 920-926.

Practical (day),
Topics & Lecturers

Reading Material

Assignment and Submission

dates (see also 'Assessment
Tasks & Feedback')

Week 1
Week 2
Commencing on the 1st
of August

Week 3
Commencing on the 8th
of August

L1: Introduction and course

review
L2: The perceptual process
Organisation of the visual
system:
L1: Prestriate and striate cortex
L2: Beyond striate cortex

Yantis, Chapter 1

Demonstrations of
visual illusions

Adler, Chapter 26, 28, 29, 30;

Palmer, Section 1.3.

Brightness
Colour
Depth
Motion

Goodale, M. A., & Milner, A. D.

(1992) Separate visual
pathways for perception and
action. Trends in
Neurosciences, 15, 20-25.

Anderson, B., & Winawer,

J. (2005). Image
segmentation and
lightness perception.
Nature, 434-79-83.
Week 4
Commencing on the
15th of August

Function of the visual system

L1: Light summation
L2: Receptive field and
structure

Week 5
Commencing on the
22nd of August

Yantis, Chapters 2 and 3.

Tutorial Reading: Livingstone,

M.S., Hubel, D.H. (1988)
Segregation of form, color,
movement, and depth: anatomy,
physiology, and perception.
Science, 240, 740-749.

The perception of contrast

and detail

Demonstrations of light
summation and
receptive field profiles

Norton, Chapters 4, 5 and 6

L1: Visual Detail

Week 6 *
Commencing on the
29th of August

L2: Contrast Sensitivity

Function
The perception of colour
L1: Colour perception
L2: Colour Matching and colour
functions

Week 7
Commencing on the 5th
of September

The perception of Motion and

Depth

Visual Acuity

Palmer: 187-192

Tutorial Reading: Bailey IL, Lovie

JE. 1976. New design principles
for visual acuity letter charts. Am
J Optom Physiol Opt 53:740-745.

Yantis, Chapter 5
Norton, Chapter 8; Palmer,
sections 3.2.2 and 3.2.3.

Measuring contrast
sensitivity and the
contrast sensitivity

Norton, Chapter 7; Adler,

Chapter 20

L1: local and global processing

L2: Depth perception

function.
Akinotopsia the case of LM
Zihl, J., von Cramon, D., & Mai,
N. (1983). Selective
disturbance of movement vision
after bilateral brain-damage.
Brain, 106, 313-340.
Yantis, Chapter 7
Adler, Chapter 19; Palmer,
section 5.3.1.
Marr, D., & Poggio, T. (1976)
Cooperative computation of
stereo disparity. Science, 194,
283-287.
Yantis, Chapter 6

Week 8
Commencing on the
12th of September

Measuring Visual Function

Colour Vision

L1: Sensory thresholds

Tutorial Reading: Zeki, S., &

Marini, 1998. Three cortical stages
of colour processing in the human
brain. Brain, 121, 1669-1685.

Norton, Chapters 2 and 3

L2: Visual Psychophysics

Week 9
Commencing on the
19th of September

Signal Detection Theory

Palmer Appendix A
Colour demonstrations
and the McCollough
effect

L1: Signal detection I

Research Methods

Measuring the tilt

illusion
Data collection:

L1: Scientific enquiry

What is your eye colour?

L2: Signal detection II

Week 10
Commencing on the
4th of October

Yantis, Chapter 1

Abdi, H. Signal Detection

Theory. In: Neil Salkind (Ed.)
(2007). Encyclopedia of
Measurement and Statistics.
Thousand Oaks (CA): Sage.

Research Essays due on the

23rd of September

Field, Chapters 1,2

What is your age?

Monday the 3rd of
October is a public
holiday

What is your height?

What is the length of your
index and thumb?

Week 11
Commencing on the
10th of October
Week 12
Commencing on the
17th of October

Week 13
Commencing on the
24th of October

Understanding Relationships

Getting to know the SPSS

environment

Field, Chapter 7 & 8

Correlation and Regression

tutorial and exercises

Field, Chapter 9

t-test demonstrations and

exercises

Field, Chapter 6 219-235,

Chapter 18

L1: Correlation
L2: Regression
Testing Relationships I
L1: Comparing Means
L2: The t-test
Testing Relationships II
L1: non parametric tests

Online Quiz
Open on the 31st of October
Research Assignment due on
the 4th of November 2016

L2: Wilcoxon and Chi squared

tests

*NB: As stated in the UNSW Assessment Policy: one or more tasks should be set, submitted, marked and returned to students by the mid-point of a course, or no later than the
end of Week 6 of a 12-week session'

10

6. Assessment Tasks and Feedback

Task

Research Essay
Research assignment

Final examination

Knowledge & abilities

assessed

To critically evaluate
research reports and
articles.
The ability to conduct an
experiment, analyse it and
communicate findings in
written form.
All material presented
throughout the course

Assessment Criteria

% of
total
mark

Date of

Feedback

Release

Submission

WHO

WHEN

HOW

Write a research essay on

an assigned topic

30

01/08/201
6

23/09/2016

Sieu Khuu

Marks

A lab report on the

contrast sensitivity function
and the application of
descriptive statistics to
infer relationships
The format will be short
answer questions, which
will assess your
understanding and your
ability to clearly explain
topics presented in the
course.

20

22/08/201
6

04/11/2016

Sieu Khuu

Written
and
Marks

50

TBA

Sieu Khuu

As part
of final
grade

11

7. Additional Resources and Support

Text Books

Norton, T., Corliss, D., & Bailey, J.E. (2002). The Psychophysical Measurement of
Visual Function. London, Butterworth-Heinemann. Available in the University
Bookshop.
Kaufman, P.L., & Alm, A. (2002). Adlers Physiology of the Eye 10 th edition. St
Louis, Mosey.
Palmer, S.E. (1999). Vision Science: Photons to Phenomenology, Cambridge,
Mass: MIT Press. Available in the University Bookshop.
Mather, G. (2006). Foundations of Perception, UK: Psychology Press
Field, A. Discovering Statistics using IBM SPSS Statistics, SAGE
Publications Ltd; Fourth Edition, 2013.(older editions are also fine)
Associated webpage for students:
https://secure.uk.sagepub.com/field4e/study/default.htm
Yantis, S. (2014). Sensation and Perception. New York, Worth Publishers
The following books are useful sources of reference
Sekuler, R. & Blake, R. (2002). Perception (4th ed), New York: McGraw-Hill
Marr, D. (1982). Vision. San Francisco, W.H Freeman and Company.
Graham, N.V.S. (1989). Visual Pattern Analyzers. New York, Oxford University
Press.
De Valois, R.L.L., & De Valois, K.K. (1988). Spatial Vision. New York, Oxford
University Press.
Bruce, V., Green, P.R., & Georgeson, M.A., (1996). Visual Perception, Physiology,
Psychology and Ecology, 3rd edition. Exeter UK, Psychology Press.
Levine, M.W. (2000). Fundamentals of Sensation and perception, 3 rd edition New
York, Oxford University Press.
Yantis, S. (2014). Sensation and Perception. New York, Worth Publishers

Course Manual

None

Required Readings
Additional Readings

Any additional readings will be made available in the lectures.

Recommended Internet
Sites

http://visionscience.com/
Look under the demonstrations link in particular
http://www.michaelbach.de/ot/
This is a great web site, with fascinating visual illusions
http://viperlib.york.ac.uk/
A extensive data base of visual illusions, pictures and learning material

Societies
Computer Laboratories or
Study Spaces

Some computer work may be carried out in the computer room in the old main
building.
12

8. Required Equipment, Training and Enabling Skills

Equipment Required

None

Enabling Skills Training

Required to Complete this
Course

None

13

9. Course Evaluation and Development

Student feedback is gathered periodically by various means. Such feedback is considered carefully with a view to acting on it
constructively wherever possible. This course outline conveys how feedback has helped to shape and develop this course.

Mechanisms of
Review

Last Review
Date

Comments or Changes Resulting from Reviews

Major Course
Review

This course has undergone a major review over the last few years. This
review has suggested more research methods and statistics. This has been
done with the last 4 lectures given over to lectures.

CATEI

This course received a CATEi score of 5.04 Q10

Students queried the repetitiveness of some of the assessment of the research
methods component of the course. To address this concern, there is now 1 large
assessment for this component.

Other

Future feedback by students will be most welcome.

14

10. Administration Matters

Expectations of Students

The University uses email as an official form of communication for students. All UNSW students
have their own email account. The School of Optometry and Vision Science will also make use
of this form of communication.
It is extremely important that you know how to use your Zmail and ensure that you check it
regularly. You are advised to link your official UNSW email address to your habitual email
address (e.g. hotmail). You will miss out on vital information from the School and University if
you do not check your Zmail.
For more information or if you are having connection or access problems, see:
IT Service Centre
www.it.unsw.edu.au/
Telephone: 02 9385 1333
Email:
[email protected]

Assignment Submissions

Assignments may be submitted

directly to your lecturer or
via the Assignment submission box at the Student Enquiry office (Rupert Myers Building,
Room 3.003)
A completed copy of the Assignment Attachment Sheet must be attached to each assignment
before submission.

Marked assignments can be collected from the:

School Enquiry office during counter opening hours. You must show a valid student card
to do this.
The School Policy on Submission of Assignments (including penalties for late assignments) and
the Assignment Attachment Sheet are available from the School website at:
http://www.optometry.unsw.edu.au/current/policies-and-procedures

Occupational Health and

Safety12

Information on relevant policies and expectations is provided during General Safety Induction
training. A copy of the Induction booklet distributed at this training is available from the School of
Optometry and Vision Science office (RMB3.003) and the School website at:
http://www.optometry.unsw.edu.au/whs/work-health-and-safety

Assessment Procedures

SCHOOL OF OPTOMETRY AND VISION SCIENCE, UNSW

SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATION INFORMATION, 2016

UNSW Assessment
Policy13

There are two circumstances whereby a supplementary examination may be granted:

COMPETENCY IN DOUBT
Students whose competency level is in doubt after the final examination(s) may be eligible to sit
a supplementary examination in the course(s) concerned.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
On some occasions, sickness, misadventure or other circumstances beyond your control may
prevent you from completing a course requirement, such as attending a formal end of semester
examination. In these cases you may apply for Special Consideration. To do this you must make
formal application for Special Consideration for the course/s affected as soon as practicable
after the problem occurs and within three working days of the assessment to which it
refers. The application must be made via Online Services in myUNSW. Log into myUNSW and
go to My Student Profile tab > My Student Services channel > Online Services > Special
Consideration. Submit the application (including supporting documentation) to UNSW Student
Central.
Special Consideration - Pre-Existing Conditions
Many conditions that are the subject of special consideration applications are pre-existing and

1212 UNSW OHS Home page

1313 UNSW Assessment Policy 14 Student Complaint Procedure
15

could be used repeatedly to gain examinations at a later date. These include conditions
aggravated or triggered by the stress of the assessment. With the help of your doctor and/or
other health care practitioners, steps can be taken ahead of the assessment time to minimise or
avoid the consequences of these conditions. When applying for special consideration on the
basis of a condition that was already known to be a problem for you and which you have already
used as the basis for a special consideration application, the School will require you to provide a
certificate that details the preventative measures taken and why they were not successful. This
will then be taken into account when considering the application.
Absence from a final examination is a serious matter, normally resulting in a Fail (FL) grade. If
you are medically unfit to attend an examination, YOU MUST CONTACT THE SCHOOL
DIRECTLY ON THE DAY OF THE EXAMINATION TO ADVISE OF THIS (telephone 02 9385
4639, email: [email protected]). You must also submit a Request for Consideration
application as detailed above.
You are reminded that supplementary examinations are not granted lightly or automatically.
Eligibility for supplementary examinations, for both of the above situations, is determined by the
School Examination Committee, which meets soon after the formal examination period has
ended. You cannot apply for a supplementary examination, so please do not contact the
School or Course Controllers to request a supplementary examination.
It is the responsibility of the student to consult the web site or noticeboard to ascertain
whether they have supplementary examinations. This information WILL NOT be conveyed
in ANY other manner. Interstate, overseas or any other absence cannot be used as an
excuse.
This information will be available on the School web site at http://www.optometry.unsw.edu.au/
(do not confuse the School website with the myUNSW website) and posted on the notice board
on Level 3. This information will be available as soon as possible after the School Examination
Committee meeting.
SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATIONS FOR 2015 WILL BE HELD AS FOLLOWS:
FOR SESSION 1:

STAGE 1-4 COURSES: DURING THE WEEK OF 6-10 JULY 2016

THERE WILL BE NO SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATIONS FOR STAGE 5

STUDENTS IN SEMESTER 1 2015
FOR SESSION 2:

ALL COURSES: DURING THE WEEK OF 30 NOVEMBER-4 DECEMBER

2016
Supplementary examinations will be held at the scheduled time only. If students who are granted
supplementary examinations do not attend, a failure will be recorded for that course. Students
should not make travel arrangements, or any other commitments, before establishing
whether or not they have supplementary examinations. Ignorance of these procedures,
interstate, overseas or any other absence will not be accepted as an excuse.
If additional assessment is not scheduled, this does NOT indicate whether or not a student has
passed or failed the course. Results will be received in the usual way. Please do not contact the
School in this regard.
Please note the above applies to OPTM and VISN courses only. Any information on
supplementary examinations for servicing courses (e.g. CHEM****) is the responsibility of the
School conducting the course.
School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW, 15 May 2016

Equity and Diversity

Those students who have a disability that requires some adjustment in their teaching
or learning environment are encouraged to discuss their study needs with the course
Convenor prior to, or at the commencement of, their course, or with the Equity Officer
(Disability)
in
the
Equity
and
Diversity
Unit
(9385
4734
or
http://www.studentequity.unsw.edu.au/ ).
Issues to be discussed may include access to materials, signers or note-takers, the
provision of services and additional exam and assessment arrangements. Early
notification is essential to enable any necessary adjustments to be made.

Student Complaint
Procedure14

School Contact

Faculty Contact

University Contact
16

A/Prof. David Pye

Senior Lecturer
[email protected]
Tel: 9385 7874

15

Dr Chris Tisdell
Associate Dean (Education)
[email protected]
Tel: 9385 6792
or
Dr Gavin Edwards
Associate Dean
(Undergraduate Programs)
[email protected]
Tel: 9385 4652

1
2
Student Conduct and
Appeals Officer (SCAO) within
the Office of the Pro-ViceChancellor (Students) and
Registrar.
3
4
Telephone 02 9385
8515, email
[email protected].
au
5
6
University Counselling and
Psychological Services7
7
Tel: 9385 5418

University Counselling and Psychological Services

17

11. UNSW Academic Honesty and Plagiarism

What is Plagiarism?
Plagiarism is the presentation of the thoughts or work of another as ones own.
*Examples include:

direct duplication of the thoughts or work of another, including by copying material, ideas or concepts from a book,
article, report or other written document (whether published or unpublished), composition, artwork, design, drawing,
circuitry, computer program or software, web site, Internet, other electronic resource, or another persons assignment
without appropriate acknowledgement;

paraphrasing another persons work with very minor changes keeping the meaning, form and/or progression of ideas of
the original;

piecing together sections of the work of others into a new whole;

presenting an assessment item as independent work when it has been produced in whole or part in collusion with other
people, for example, another student or a tutor; and

claiming credit for a proportion a work contributed to a group assessment item that is greater than that actually
contributed.
For the purposes of this policy, submitting an assessment item that has already been submitted for academic credit
elsewhere may be considered plagiarism.
Knowingly permitting your work to be copied by another student may also be considered to be plagiarism.
Note that an assessment item produced in oral, not written, form, or involving live presentation, may similarly contain
plagiarised material.
The inclusion of the thoughts or work of another with attribution appropriate to the academic discipline does not amount to
plagiarism.
The Learning Centre website is main repository for resources for staff and students on plagiarism and academic honesty.
These resources can be located via:
www.lc.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism
The Learning Centre also provides substantial educational written materials, workshops, and tutorials to aid students, for
example, in:

correct referencing practices;

paraphrasing, summarising, essay writing, and time management;

appropriate use of, and attribution for, a range of materials including text, images, formulae and concepts.
Individual assistance is available on request from The Learning Centre.
Students are also reminded that careful time management is an important part of study and one of the identified causes of
plagiarism is poor time management. Students should allow sufficient time for research, drafting, and the proper referencing
of sources in preparing all assessment items.
* Based on that proposed to the University of Newcastle by the St James Ethics Centre. Used with kind permission from the University of
Newcastle
Adapted with kind permission from the University of Melbourne

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