Curriculum | Applied Vision Science BAVS

The BAVS program aims to prepare its graduates for the following career development:

  1. Ready to work in optometry fields with two clinical specialties. 
  2. Ready for continuing professional education in related science and medical field.
  3. Prepare for further graduate studies in the field of optometry.

BAVS Program Curriculum

Designed for 12 months (3 semesters) of 44 credit coursework (12 Credit Hours of general education + 16 CH required optometry courses and thesis study + 16 CH elective for specialty clinic topics)

Required General Vision Science/Optometry courses (16 credit hours)

Courses Credits
VSC 301: Introduction to Vision Science 3
VSC 302: Advanced Topics in Vision Science 3
VSC 303: Visual Neuroanatomy 1.5
VSC 304: Visual Information Processing 2.5
VSC 305: Ocular Disorders & Diagnosis 2
VSC 307, 308: Thesis research (Capstone projects) 4

Elective courses composed of 16 credit hours for two clinic specialties (10 primary electives + 6 secondary electives)

Specialty A: Special Contact Lens (10 specialty core courses)

Courses Credits
VSC 311: Primary Eye Care & Procedure with Lab  2
VSC 312: Visual Change over the Lifespan 2
VSC 313: Contact Lens Exam & Fitting with Lab 2
VSC 314: Specialty Contact Lens with Lab 2
VSC 315: Contact Lens & Myopia Control with Lab 2

Specialty B: Vision Therapy & Rehabilitation

Courses Credits
VSC 311: Primary Eye Care & Procedures 2
VSC 312: Visual Change over the Lifespan 2
VSC 316: Visual Therapy with Lab 2
VSC 317: Binocular & Sports Vision with Lab 2
VSC 318: Vision related Learning Problems with Lab  2

Course Sequence

Fall Semester (August 26 – December 14): 16 credit hours

Courses

Credits
Clinical Vocabulary & Communication  2
Introduction to Vision Science 3
Visual Neuroanatomy  1.5
Visual Change over the Lifespan 2
Contact Lens Exam & Fitting with Lab  2
Specialty Contact Lens with Lab 2
Contact Lens & Myopia Control with Lab  2

Spring (January 7-April 26): 15 credit hours

Courses Credits
Academic English Writing 2
Clinical English Communication 2
Ocular Disorders & Diagnosis with Lab  2
Visual Information Processing with Lab  2
Visual Therapy with Lab 2
Binocular & Sports Vision with Lab 2
Vision related Learning Problems with Lab 2

Summer (April 29-July 26): 13 credit hours

Courses Credits
Thesis Writing and Case Report 2
Evidence-based Optometry and Statistics 4
Advanced Topics in Clinical Vision Science 3
Thesis Research (Capstone project 1) 2
Thesis Research (Capstone Project 2) 2