Program Overview

M.S. in Vision Science and Investigative Ophthalmology

The Master of Science in Vision Science and Investigative Ophthalmology (MVSIO) at the University of Miami is an innovative program, the first of its kind in the world, which offers comprehensive training in ophthalmic translational research, problem-based learning, management, and a skill set available only at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

Overview

The MVSIO program focuses on science and laboratory research, including the disciplines of electrophysiology, biochemistry and molecular biology, as well as exposure to ocular clinical details and ocular pathology. It will prepare students with furtherance of their careers in vision science and investigative ophthalmology.

Admission Requirements

• All individuals with strong background education in biology, biochemical, or biological sciences are eligible to submit an application; having taken courses in anatomy and physiology is advantageous.
• We strongly encourage the following to apply:
  • Candidates with medical degrees (M.D.) from U.S. or foreign institutions.
  • Candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in experimental sciences encompassing any area of biological or biochemical sciences, provided they have the equivalent of a 3.5 or higher grade point average.
  • Students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 and above (or U.S. equivalent) in their undergraduate degree, provided they have relevant work experience.
  • Medical degree students: Step 1 United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) - score greater than 245 is preferred.

Curriculum Requirements

The following courses are required for the MVSIO program:

• Core Courses:
  • OPH 610: Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye (1 credit hour)
  • OPH 615: Pathology of Eye Diseases (1 credit hour)
  • OPH 620: Ocular Pharmacology, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics (1 credit hour)
  • OPH 625: Microbiology and Immunology of the Eye (1 credit hour)
  • OPH 630: Ophthalmic Genetics (1 credit hour)
  • OPH 635: Electrophysiology of the eye (1 credit hour)
  • OPH 640: Vision and Optics (2 credit hours)
  • OPH 645: Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Ophthalmology (2 credit hours)
• Laboratory Courses:
  • OPH 661: LAB: Basic Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Pathology (3 credit hours)
  • OPH 662: Lab: Basic and Applied Optics and Statistics (1 credit hour)
  • OPH 663: Lab: Electrophysiology, Clinical Testing and Applications (1 credit hour)
• Problem-Based Learning:
  • OPH 771: PBL: Advanced and High Throughput Approaches in Science (2 credit hours)
  • OPH 772: PBL: Management skills and Tools for Academia and Enterprises (2 credit hours)
  • OPH 773: PBL: Animal Models, Regulatory issues, and Research Methods (2 credit hours)
• Electives:
  • OPH 691: Societal Relevance to Science, Medicine, and Translational Science (2 credit hours)
• Thesis:
  • OPH 810: Ophthalmology Research Thesis (1-7 credit hours)

Suggested Plan of Study

The suggested plan of study for the MVSIO program is as follows:

• Year One:
  • Fall:
    • OPH 610: Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye (1 credit hour)
    • OPH 615: Pathology of Eye Diseases (1 credit hour)
    • OPH 620: Ocular Pharmacology, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics (1 credit hour)
    • OPH 625: Microbiology and Immunology of the Eye (1 credit hour)
    • OPH 630: Ophthalmic Genetics (1 credit hour)
    • OPH 645: Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Ophthalmology (2 credit hours)
    • OPH 661: LAB: Basic Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Pathology (3 credit hours)
    • OPH 771: PBL: Advanced and High Throughput Approaches in Science (2 credit hours)
  • Spring:
    • OPH 635: Electrophysiology of the eye (1 credit hour)
    • OPH 640: Vision and Optics (2 credit hours)
    • OPH 662: Lab: Basic and Applied Optics and Statistics (1 credit hour)
    • OPH 663: Lab: Electrophysiology, Clinical Testing and Applications (1 credit hour)
    • OPH 772: PBL: Management skills and Tools for Academia and Enterprises (2 credit hours)
    • OPH 773: PBL: Animal Models, Regulatory issues, and Research Methods (2 credit hours)
• Year Two:
  • Fall:
    • OPH 691: Societal Relevance to Science, Medicine, and Translational Science (2 credit hours)
    • OPH 810: Ophthalmology Research Thesis (4 credit hours)
  • Spring:
    • OPH 810: Ophthalmology Research Thesis (3 credit hours)

Mission

By training graduate students in research, research management skills and enterprise management, the goal of the MVSIO degree is to educate the next generation of leaders in vision science.

Goals

The goals of the MVSIO program are:

• Train Master's students in research and research management skills; and
• Prepare students for a future PhD-level program in Vision Science and investigative Ophthalmology.

Student Learning Outcomes

The MVSIO program aims to educate the next generation of leaders in vision science, including:

• Science graduates who want to extend their intellectual horizons
• College graduates who intend to improve their medical education prior to entering medical school
• Professionals in industry, academic research settings, regulatory bodies and philanthropic organizations
• Prospective entrepreneurs in the growing field of vision care
• Medical school graduates interested in joining an ophthalmology residency program
• Clinician and non-clinician graduates with medical degrees from foreign countries

Course Descriptions

• OPH 610: Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye (1 credit hour)
  • This course introduces the major anatomical and physiological regions of the eye, including cornea, lens, retina, optic nerve, cranial nerves and extraocular tissues.
• OPH 615: Pathology of Eye Diseases (1 credit hour)
  • This course covers in detail the major pathologies of the eye, including congenital diseases and syndromes, infectious diseases, tumors and adult-onset degenerations.
• OPH 620: Ocular Pharmacology, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics (1 credit hour)
  • This course teaches local anesthetics, anti-infectious, anti-allergic agents, control of ocular pain, adverse ocular and systemic reactions caused by therapeutic agents.
• OPH 625: Microbiology and Immunology of the Eye (1 credit hour)
  • This course introduces concepts and terminologies of immunology, bacteriology, virology, parasitology and mycology with an emphasis on mechanisms of microbial disease transmission and host defense mechanisms.
• OPH 630: Ophthalmic Genetics (1 credit hour)
  • This course provides an overview of the influence of genetics in ophthalmology with respect to understanding pathogenic mechanisms of eye diseases, and the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
• OPH 635: Electrophysiology of the eye (1 credit hour)
  • This course introduces the basic principles of electrophysiology of the eye, identify neural signals, neurotransmitters, molecular signaling within neurons.
• OPH 640: Vision and Optics (2 credit hours)
  • This course provides an introduction to the principles of geometrical optics and its application to the study and assessment of the visual system.
• OPH 645: Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Ophthalmology (2 credit hours)
  • This course introduces biochemistry with emphasis on ocular clinical applications, including nutrition, cellular biology, biochemistry of tears, conjunctiva, and cornea.
• OPH 661: LAB: Basic Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Pathology (3 credit hours)
  • This laboratory course includes experiments related to molecular biology, protein purification and analysis, and determination of enzyme kinetic parameters.
• OPH 662: Lab: Basic and Applied Optics and Statistics (1 credit hour)
  • This laboratory course provides practical hands-on examples of the application of geometrical optical theory to the design and calculation of optical systems.
• OPH 663: Lab: Electrophysiology, Clinical Testing and Applications (1 credit hour)
  • This laboratory course introduces novel clinical recording techniques, electrophysiologic tests, and clinical applications of ERG, EOG, and VEP.
• OPH 691: Societal Relevance to Science, Medicine, and Translational Science (2 credit hours)
  • This course provides seminars on different aspects of medicine, including a broad spectrum view of career options, and the emphasis will be on how medicine has been developed historically, its efficacy, and the future outlook.
• OPH 771: PBL: Advanced and High Throughput Approaches in Science (2 credit hours)
  • This Problem-Based Learning course teaches students to identify specific techniques that will yield the answers to the problems, including the underlying norms and principles that shaped these concepts.
• OPH 772: PBL: Management skills and Tools for Academia and Enterprises (2 credit hours)
  • This Problem-Based learning course introduces grant writing, pre-award preparation, post-award management, and will be taught using problem-based modules.
• OPH 773: PBL: Animal Models, Regulatory issues, and Research Methods (2 credit hours)
  • This Problem-Based learning course provides students with the basic understanding and expertise pertaining to generation and implementation of preclinical research IACUC protocol, and clinical research regulatory expertise.
• OPH 810: Ophthalmology Research Thesis (1-7 credit hours)
  • This course allows the student to work full-time on a research project of interest under the supervision of research/clinical faculty or a team of faculty members.