The dissertation is a formal academic composition on work performed during the student`s candidature from a supervised project that contains between 10, 000-12, 000 words. The format of the project may be of a systematic review of the literature, a case series, short clinical trial, survey or other project acceptable to the unit of study coordinator. On completion of this unit of study the successful student will be able to work constructively under formal academic supervision, develop a research question, complete a literature review, and display scientific thinking and apply this to ophthalmology. Successful students can demonstrate to the examiners that they have a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of one area in the basic ophthalmic sciences or clinical ophthalmology. A candidate must enrol in a minimum of 12 credit points of dissertation units of study in order to submit their final written work.