Required Courses

 

Vision Science Core Courses

Opt 662    Visual Information Processing and Perception

  • Analysis of the anatomy and electrophysiology of single neurons in the visual system and how these neurons code and transmit visual information. Human detection, acuity, pattern, color, and binocular vision and their electrophysiological correlates are studied by considering single neuron mechanisms
  • 4 hours

Opt 701    Physiological Optics II

  • Normal and abnormal oculomotor relationships, specifically fixations, saccades, pursuits, optokinetic and vestibular eye movements.  Includes coverage of nystagmus, pharmacological and systemic disease effects on ocular motility
  • 3 hours

Opt 903    Physiological Optics I

  • Optics of the uncorrected and corrected eye, photometry, and an introduction to binocular vision
  • 3 hours

Opt 904    Geometric and Physical Optics I (for general, non OD/MS students)

  • The first of a two-semester sequence that provides an introduction to optics. Topics in the sequence include electromagnetic waves, propagation of light, vergence, prisms, lenses (thin, thick, and spherocylindrical), mirrors, stops and pupils, aberrations, optical energy, absorption, interference, diffraction, and polarization. Emphasis is placed on applications such as lens models of the eye, optical instruments, fiber optics, antireflection coatings, and resolution
  • 3 hours

Opt 905    Geometric and Physical Optics II (for general, non OD/MS students)

  • The second of a two-semester sequence continuing from OPT 904
  • 2 hours

Opt 921    Ocular Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry

  • The gross anatomy, fine structure, histology, physiology and embryology of the globe and adnexa, as well as ocular biochemistry
  • 2 hours

Opt 922    Anatomy of the Visual System

  • Anatomy, histology, and physiology of the orbit and extraocular muscles; blood supply and innervation of the visual system; visual pathways and visual field defects
  • 2 hours

 

 

Research / Thesis Core Courses

Opt 991     Research and Data Analysis Methods Part I

  • Research design strategies and data analysis procedures. Use of computerized data recording, analysis, and reporting procedures will be stressed. Methods for preparing material for publication or oral presentation will be covered.
  • 2 hours

Opt 992    Research and Data Analysis Methods Part II

  • Continuation of research design strategies and data analysis procedures. Use of computerized data recording, analysis, and reporting procedures will be stressed. Methods for preparing material for publication or oral presentation will be covered
  • 2 hours

Opt 995    Thesis Research

  • Conducting a research project under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Successful completion of the thesis requires approval of the written and oral thesis presentations by all thesis committee members. The student shall deliver to each of the thesis committee members, the faculty advisor, and the Director of Graduate Programs a copy of the thesis signed by all members of the thesis committee. The faculty advisor will submit a copy to the optometry/science librarian.
  • may be taken more than once; 1-3 hours
  • Opt 995 Thesis Research is graded in the following manner:
    • A grade of “X” will be submitted by the appropriate faculty member as the student progresses through the sequence.
    • Once the thesis is completed, the final grades is submitted. All “X” grades will then be changed by the Registrar to coincide with the final grade submitted by the thesis advisor.

 

 

Elective Courses

 

Seminars

All seminars may be repeated with approval of the faculty advisor and course instructor(s). A maximum of 4 credit hours may be applied toward the degree for each elective.

Opt 979 may be repeated without limit with the requirement that a maximum of 4 credit hours apply to a single area of focused studies.

Opt 900    Graduate Seminar in Vision Science

  • Review of various topics in vision science.  Topics include fundamental as well as current and applied areas. May include directed study. Arranged with individual faculty member.
  • May be repeated, with a maximum of 6 credits applicable toward the degree. 1-3 hours

Opt 901    Seminar in New Ophthalmic Instrumentation and Materials

  • Review of current literature on new ophthalmic instrumentation and materials. Students will read current issues of selected journals and present reports of relevant articles. Special topics will be assigned for more extensive student reports. Presentations on instrumentation and materials will be given by faculty members and invited guests.
  • 1-3 hours

Opt 906    Seminar in Public Health

  • Review of current literature on issues related to public health. Students will read current issues of selected journals and present reports of relevant articles. Special topics will be assigned for more extensive student reports. Presentations on public health topics will be given by faculty members and invited guests.
  • 1-3 hours

Opt 907    Seminar in Electrodiagnostics

  • Review of current literature on electrodiagnostic testing and their indications. Students will read current issues of selected journals and present reports of relevant articles. Special topics will be assigned for more extensive student reports. Presentations on electrodiagnostics will be given by faculty members and invited guests.
  • 1-3 hours

Opt 908    Seminar in Neuro-rehabilitation

  • Review of current literature on neuro-rehabilitation. Students will read current issues of selected journals and present reports of relevant articles. Special topics will be assigned for more extensive student reports. Presentations on neuro-rehabilitation will be given by faculty members and invited guests.
  • 1-3 hours

Opt 909    Seminar in Color Vision

  • Review of current literature on color vision. Students will read current issues of selected journals and present reports of relevant articles. Special topics will be assigned for more extensive student reports. Presentations on color vision will be given by faculty members and invited guests.
  • 1-3 hours

Opt 910    Seminar in Ophthalmic Optics

  • Review of current literature on ophthalmic optics. Students will read current issues of selected journals and present reports of relevant articles. Special topics will be assigned for more extensive student reports. Presentations on ophthalmic optics will be given by faculty members and invited guests.
  • 1-3 hours

Opt 916    Seminar in Functional Vision and Pediatrics

  • Review of current literature on functional vision and pediatrics. Students will read current issues of selected journals and present reports of relevant articles. Special topics will be assigned for more extensive student reports. Presentations on functional vision and pediatrics will be given by faculty members and invited guests.
  • 1-3 hours

Opt 917    Seminar in Visual-Motor Function

  • Review of current literature on visual-motor function. Students will read current issues of selected journals and present reports of relevant articles. Special topics will be assigned for more extensive student reports. Presentations on visual-motor function will be given by faculty members and invited guests.
  • 1-3 hours

Opt 918    Seminar in Contact Lenses

  • Review of current literature on contact lenses. Students will read current issues of selected journals and present reports of relevant articles. Special topics will be assigned for more extensive student reports. Presentations on contact lenses will be given by faculty members and invited guests. 1-3 hours.

Opt 919    Seminar in Environmental Vision

  • Review of current literature on environmental vision. Students will read current issues of selected journals and present reports of relevant articles. Special topics will be assigned for more extensive student reports. Presentations on environmental vision will be given by faculty members and invited guests. 1-3 hours.

Opt 925    Seminar in Strabismus & Amblyopia

  • Review of current literature on strabismus and amblyopia. Students will read current issues of selected journals and present reports of relevant articles. Special topics will be assigned for more extensive student reports. Presentations on strabismus and amblyopia will be given by faculty members and invited guests. 1-3 hours.

Opt 931    Seminar in Visual System Structure, Function, and Biochemistry

  • Review of current literature on the structure, function, and biochemistry of the visual system. Students will read and present reports of relevant articles from current issues of selected journals. Special topics will be assigned for more extensive student reports. Presentations will be given by invited guests. 1-3 hours.

Opt 932    Seminar in Ophthalmic/Systemic Disease

  • Review of current literature on disease etiology, diagnosis, and management. Students will read current issues of selected journals and present reports of relevant articles. Special topics will be assigned for more extensive student reports. Presentations on disease etiology, diagnosis, and management will be given by faculty members and invited guests. 1-3 hours.

Opt 961    Seminar in Visual Information Processing

  • Review of current literature on information flow and analysis in the visual system. Students will read current issues of selected journals and present reports of relevant articles. Special topics will be assigned for more extensive student reports. Presentations on information processing will be given by faculty members and invited guests.
  • 1-3 hours

Opt 962    Seminar in Presentation Methods in the Health Professions

  • Methods used to teach and present information. Setting long and short term goals, designing lesson plans, presentation techniques and styles, examinations, and innovative teaching methods, including the use of audiovisual and computer technology.
  • 1-3 hours

Opt 969    International Optometry

  • Review of the comparative education base of optometry in various nations and the relation to scope of practice and practice modes. Examination of barriers to growth of the profession and an exploration of strategies to promote orderly progress.
  • 1-3 hours

Opt 979     Focused Studies

  • Review of current literature on issues related to a specific topical area within visual science not covered within a currently offered MS elective seminar. Students will read current issues of selected journals and present reports of relevant articles. Special topics will be assigned for more extensive student reports. Presentations in the topical area will be given by faculty members and invited guests.
  • 1-3 hours

 

 

Additional Electives

Opt 920    Clinical Experience

  • Participation in delivery of clinical services (one half day per week).
  • May be repeated with a maximum 4 hours applicable toward the degree.  
  • 1 hour

Opt 956    Independent Study

  • Coursework not covered by regular courses and arranged as independent study with an instructor. An independent study contract is required to register.
  • Credit hours are assigned by the instructor. 1-12 hours

Opt 970    Teaching Experience

  • Participate in the teaching of a course or laboratory. Arranged with individual faculty members.
  • May be repeated with a maximum 4 hours applicable toward the degree.   
  • 1 hour