Curriculum
The MS in VS curriculum is structured to fit each individual's background in vision science and interest in specific fields. You need to take a set of required courses and choose elective courses that fit your own interests and that benefit your thesis project. Please discuss with your advisor which course will be appropriate for you.
With your advisor's permission, you may substitute other graduate courses for one or more of the elective seminars; however, courses that have been applied to another degree cannot be used to satisfy the elective requirements for the MS in VS degree. Based on previous course work completed by graduates of other national or international optometric programs, you may substitute other Pacific University College of Optometry graduate courses for up to 14 hours of the required courses. The Vision Science MS Program committee must approve course selections. Courses taken within the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) curriculum must be arranged in coordination with the course instructor.
Required courses
A series of introductory vision science courses is offered to provide basic understanding of vision science and to serve as the basis for advanced courses. If you have background in Optometry Doctorate program (e.g., as a current OD/MS student or hold an OD degree), you can be exempted or substitute some of the courses approved by the Vision Science MS Program Committee.
- For students with a non-vision science background:
Opt 662 Visual Information Processing & Perception 4
Opt 701 Physiological Optics II 3
Opt 903 Physiological Optics I 3
Opt 904 Geometric & Physical Optics I 3
Opt 905 Geometric & Physical Optics II 2
Opt 921 Ocular Anatomy Physiology and Biochemistry 2
Opt 922 Anatomy of the Visual System 2
Opt 991 Research and Data Analysis Methods Part I 2
Opt 992 Research and Data Analysis Methods Part II 2
Opt 995 Thesis Research 6
Opt 9xx Electives ............ 6
- For students with a Vision Science Background (e.g., OD/MS student or with an OD degree):
Opt 662 Visual Information Processing & Perception 4*
Opt 701 Physiological Optics II 3*
Opt 903 Physiological Optics I 3*
Opt 922 Anatomy of the Visual System 2*
Opt 991 Research and Data Analysis Methods Part I 2
Opt 992 Research and Data Analysis Methods Part II 2
Opt 995 Thesis Research 6
Opt 9xx Electives ........... 6
* If you have an OD degree from an accredited US or Canadian College of Optometry, or are currently matriculated in the Pacific University College of Optometry, you can substitute for some of the core vision science courses, provided that you have successfully completed approved courses with a minimum grade of "B" or its equivalent. The Vision Science MS Program committee will determine which courses from your OD program may be used for substitution. The following courses have been pre-approved for students matriculated at Pacific University:
Opt. 532 Anatomy of the Visual System with Lab 3
Opt. 531 Ocular Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry w/ Lab 3
Opt. 503 Physiological Optics I with Lab 4
Opt. 662 Visual Information Processing and Perception 4
Opt. 701 Physiological Optics II 3
Elective Seminars
In addition to the required courses, there is a series of elective courses focusing on specific topics. There courses are offered occasionally, some are at request. Each equates to 1-3 hour(s). A maximum of 4 hours be applied to the MS degree for any specific seminar except for Opt 900, from which a maximum of 6 hours may be applied to the MS degree.
Opt 900 Graduate Seminar in Vision Science
Opt 901 Seminar in New Ophthalmic Instrumentation and Materials
Opt 906 Seminar in Public Health
Opt 907 Seminar in Electrodiagnostics
Opt 908 Seminar in Neuro-rehabilitation
Opt 909 Seminar in Color Vision
Opt 910 Seminar in Ophthalmic Optics
Opt 916 Seminar in Functional Vision and Pediatrics
Opt 917 Seminar in Visual-Motor Function
Opt 918 Seminar in Contact Lenses
Opt 919 Seminar in Environmental Vision
Opt 925 Seminar in Strabismus & Amblyopia
Opt 931 Seminar in Visual System Structure, Function, and Biochemistry
Opt 932 Seminar in Ophthalmic/Systemic Disease
Opt 961 Seminar in Visual Information Processing
Opt 962 Seminar in Presentation Methods in the Health Professions
Opt 969 Seminar in International Optometry
Opt 979 Focused Studies
- Additional Electives
The following courses are offered to substitute requirements when it has been determined that a particular student has already completed an equivalent course and/or some other special circumstances are present. All substitutions must have the approval of the academic advisor.
Opt 920 Clinical Experience (1 hour)
Opt 956 Independent Study (1-12 hours)
Opt 970 Teaching Experience (1 hour)