MSVS Coursework

The MS program is designed to be completed in 5 semesters/terms. Full-time students need to take 9 credits or more in the fall and spring semesters. International students need to maintain full-time status during their study time. Please consult with the Office of International Programs if there are any concerns.

The Master’s curriculum consists of coursework in the following six categories. Students with a bachelor’s degree in Optometry should complete 43.75 credits from the six categories listed below. OD/MS or post-OD students from an ACOE-accredited optometry program may satisfy some coursework with relevant course credits from their OD program. Students with other backgrounds may require additional coursework determined by the VSG Committee and the student’s academic adviser.

The Master’s curriculum consists of coursework in the following six categories.

  • Vision Science Core courses: 18.25 credits
  • Vision Science Seminars: 9.0 credits
  • Basic Research skills: 6.5 credits
  • Clinical Skills: 1.0 credit
  • Master’s Research Work: 8.0 credits
  • Elective Courses: 1.0 credit

Total: 43.75 credits

Vision Science Core Courses: 18.25 credits

Ocular Anatomy: 7.75 credits

  • VSC 521 - Anatomy, Biochemistry, & Physiology of Eye I 2.75 credit(s) or OPT 531 Ocular Anatomy Physiology & Biochemistry 2.75 credit(s)
  • VSC 521L - Lab: Anatomy, Biochemistry, & Physiology of Eye I 0.5 credit(s) or OPT 531L Lab - Ocular Anatomy Physiology & Biochemistry 0.5 credit(s)
  • VSC 522 - Anatomy, Biochemistry, & Physiology of Eye II 2.0 credit(s) or OPT 532 Anatomy of the Visual System 2 credit(s)
  • VSC 522L - Lab: Anatomy, Biochemistry & Physiology of Eye II 0.5 credit(s) or OPT 532L Lab-Anatomy of the Visual System 0.5 credit(s)
  • VSC 523 - Neuroanatomy of the Visual Pathways 2.0 credit(s) or OPT 535 - Functional Neuroanatomy and Neurobiology 2.5 credit(s)

Ocular Disease: 2.0 credits

  • VSC 631 - Common Ocular Diseases 2.0 credit(s) OR OPT 639 – Ocular Disease IV Introduction to Posterior Segment 2 credit(s)

Optics: 8.5 credits 

Students without a BS-Optometry degree should take 8.5 credits of Optics courses by completing all the courses below:

  • VSC 511 - Geometric, Physical, & Visual Optics I 2.5 credits or OPT 501 - Geometric and Physical Optics I 2.5 credit(s)
  • VSC 511L - Lab: Geometric, Physical, & Visual Optics I 0.0 credit or OPT 501L - Lab-Geometric and Physical Optics I 0 credit(s)
  • VSC 512 - Geometric, Physical and Visual Optics II 3.0 credit or OPT 502 - Geometric and Physical Optics II 3 credit(s)
  • VSC 512L - Lab: Geometric, Physical, & Visual Optics II 0.0 credit or OPT 502L - Lab-Geometric and Physical Optics II 0 credit(s)
  • VSC 513 - Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics 3.0 credits or OPT 503 - Physiological Optics 3 credit(s)
  • VSC 513L - Lab: Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics 0.0 credit or OPT 503L - Lab-Physiological Optics 0 credit(s)

Students without a BS-Optometry degree should take 4.0 credits of Optics courses in one of the two ways: 

  • VSC 514 - Clinical Optics 4.0 credits, or VSC 515 - Visual Optics I 2.0 credits and VSC 516 - Visual Optics II 2 credits

Vision Science Seminars: 9.0 credits

  • VSC 751 - Vision Science Seminar I 3.0 credits 
  • VSC 752 - Vision Science Seminar II 3.0 credits 
  • Choose one of the following Advanced Seminars:
    • VSC 811 - Advanced Seminar in Vision & Optics 3.0 credits 
    • VSC 821 - Adv Sem in Ocular Anatomy & Physio 3.0 credits
    • VSC 831 - Adv Sem in Eye Diseases & Public Health 3.0 credits, or VSC 833 - Advanced Seminar in Health Policy & Eye Disease I 1.5 credits and VSC 834 - Advanced Seminar in Health Policy & Eye Disease II 1.5 credits
    • VSC 841 - Adv Sem in Ocular Function & Visual Performance 3.0 credits

Basic Research Skills: 6.5 credits

  • VSC 502 - Scientific & Clinical Writing 1.5 credits
  • VSC 704- Clinical Research Methodology 2.0 credits
  • VSC 705 - Statistics for Clinical Research 3.0 credits

Clinical Skills:1 credit

  • VSC 660 - Practice of Clinical Skills 1.0 credit or OPT 547L - Lab-Clinical Procedures II 1 credit(s)

Master’s Research Work: 8.0 credits

  • VSC 701 - MS Vision Research Colloquium 1.0 credit (2.0 Credits required)
  • VSC 756 - Independent Study 1.0-9.0 credit(s) (1.0 credit required)
  • VSC 790 - Research communication 1 credit 
  • VSC 791 - Thesis Research 1.0-3.0 credits(s) (4.0 credits required)

Elective: 1 credit

  • VSC 805 - Project-Based Data Analysis 1 credit
  • VSC 903 - Statistics Seminar 2 credits
  • After the thesis requirement has been met, the elective requirement can be met with an additional credit in VSC 791 - Thesis Research, VSC 756 - Independent Study, or other courses offered in the College of Optometry except VSC 701, VSC 760, VSC 998, VSC 999, or any courses listed under Vision Science Core Courses.
  • OD/MS students cannot apply credits used for the OD electives to the MS elective requirement.

Special Courses

With approval from the program director, Students may take VSC 760, VSC 998, and VSC 999. Credits earned from these courses are not counted toward the degree requirement. 

  • VSC 760 - Curricular Practical Training 1.0 credit
  • VSC 998 - Continuing Enrollment: Pre-Thesis/Dissertation 1.0-9.0 credit(s)
  • VSC 999 - Continuing Enrollment: Thesis/Dissertation 1.0-9.0 credit(s)

Updated: 4/23/2024