The Master of Science in Vision Science (MSVS) Program engages students in advanced study and research of the visual system and prepares them for career success in teaching and/or research in academic settings or application in the ophthalmic industry.
(Update for Academic Year 2024-2025 on 4/23/2024)
MS Default Curriculum | OD/MS Default Curriculum
MS Default Curriculum
- Students entering with a bachelor of science degree, or equivalent, may complete the Master of Science in Vision Science Program in two years.
- The current default curriculum spreads into five semesters, including one required summer term.
Year 1
| Fall |
Credits |
| VSC-511: Geometric, Physical, & Visual Optics I |
2.50 |
| VSC-511L: Lab - Geometric, Physical, & Visual Optics I |
0.00 |
| VSC-521: Anatomy, Biochemistry, & Physiology of the Eye I |
2.75 |
| VSC-521L: Lab- Anatomy, biochemistry, & Physiology of Eye I |
0.50 |
| VSC-523: Neuroanatomy of the Visual Pathway |
2.00 |
| VSC-660: Practice of Clinical Skills |
1.00 |
| VSC-701: MS Vision Research Colloquium |
1.00 |
| Total |
9.75 |
| Spring |
Credits |
| VSC-512: Geometric, Physical, & Visual Optics II |
3.0 |
| VSC-512L: Lab - Geometric, Physical, & Visual Optics II |
0.0 |
| VSC-522: Anatomy, Biochemistry, & Physiology of the Eye II |
2.0 |
| VSC-522L: Lab: Anatomy, Biochemistry, & Physiology of the Eye II |
0.5 |
| VSC-701: MS Vision Research Colloquium |
1.0 |
| VSC-751: Vision Science Seminar I |
3.0 |
| Total |
9.5 |
| Summer |
Credits |
| VSC-502: Scientific & Clinical Writing |
1.5 |
| VSC-631: Common Ocular Diseases |
2.0 |
| VSC-704: Clinical Research Methodology |
2.0 |
| VSC-705: Statistics for Clinical Research |
3.0 |
| VSC-756: Independent Study (Explore Thesis Topic) |
1.0 |
| Elective |
1.0 |
| Total |
10.5 |
Year 2
| Fall |
Credits |
| VSC-752: Vision Science Seminar II |
3.0 |
| VSC-791: Thesis Research |
3.0 |
| VSC-8#1: Advanced MS/PhD Seminar |
3.0 |
| Total |
9.0 |
| Spring |
Credits |
| VSC-513: Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics |
3.0 |
| VSC-513L: Lab - Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics |
0.0 |
| VSC-790: Research communication |
1.0 |
| VSC-791: Thesis Research |
1.0 |
| Total |
5.0 |
Total Credit Hours: 43.75
OD/MS Default Curriculum
- If accepted by the spring term of the 1st-yr OD study
Year 1
| Spring |
Credits |
| VSC-701: MS Vision Research Colloquium |
1.0 |
| VSC-751: Vision Science Seminar II |
3.0 |
| Total |
4.0 |
| Summer |
Credits |
| VSC-502: Scientific & Clinical Writing |
1.5 |
| VSC-704: Clinical Research Methodology |
2.0 |
| VSC-705: Statistics for Clinical Research |
3.0 |
| VSC-756: Independent Study |
1.0 |
| Total |
7.5 |
Year 2
| Fall |
Credits |
| VSC-701 MS Vision Research Colloquium |
1.0 |
| VSC-752: Vision Science Seminar II |
3.0 |
| VSC-791: Thesis Research |
1.0 |
| Total |
5.0 |
| Spring |
Credits |
| VSC-791: Thesis Research |
2.0 |
| Elective: Elective or VSC 805 |
1.0 |
| Total |
3.0 |
Year 3
| Fall |
Credits |
| VSC-8#1: Advanced PhD/MS Seminar |
3.0 |
| Total |
3.0 |
| Spring |
Credits |
| VSC-791: Thesis Research |
1.0 |
| Total |
1.0 |
Total Credit Hours: 23.5
