Program Overview

Master of Science (Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences)

Program Overview

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences offers the MSc and PhD in Medical Sciences (Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences) degrees. Research may be carried out in a variety of ophthalmology-related disciplines for which staff in the Department have active research programs. Major research initiatives are in the areas of electrophysiology of vision, models of retinal degeneration and therapies, ocular anatomy and ocular genetics.

Entrance Requirements

Entrance requirements can be found in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Graduate Program Entrance Requirements.

Program Details

• Faculty: Medicine & Dentistry
• Delivery Mode: On Campus
• Program Type: Thesis Based
• Degree Level: Master's

Program Requirements

Program Description

The general description for the MSc in Medical Sciences (Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences) is as presented for all MSc programs in Medical Sciences.

Program Core Competencies

The following are the program-specific requirements to satisfy the FoMDs Program Core Competencies:

• Professional Development and Ethics: See GPS Ethics and Academic Citizenship Training Requirement and GPS Professional Development Requirement.
• Communication: Students are required to attend OVS Journal Club and participate in the OVS Research Day on an annual basis.
• Critical Reading/Thinking: Students must complete 3 units of graduate level coursework to develop competency in Critical Reading/Thinking or Background Knowledge.
• Background Knowledge: Students must complete 3 units of graduate level coursework to develop competency in Background Knowledge or Critical Reading/Thinking. Courses pre-approved include:
  • CELL 505 - Cell Biology of Disease
  • CELL 525 - Systems Biology
  • MDGEN 601 - Selected Topics in Medical Genetics
  • OPHTH 600 - Seminar in Ophthalmology
  • OPHTH 601 - Ocular Genetics
  • PHYSL 372 - Systems Neuroscience
  • PHYSL 507 - Molecular and Cellular Physiology
  • PMCOL 371 - Cellular Neuroscience

Thesis

Registration in 900-level THES. Students are required to prepare and defend a thesis on a topic approved by their supervisor and supervisory committee.

Transferring from an MSc to PhD

See FoMD Students Transferring from an MSc to PhD.

Length of Program

See FoMD Minimum Length of Time in Program and GPS Time Limit for Completion of Graduate Programs.

Tuition and Fees

Funding from fellowships and studentships is available from external agencies on a competitive basis. Supervisors may support students from operating grants, and limited financial assistance towards tuition costs is also available from the Department, but not guaranteed from year to year.

Scholarships and Financial Support

The Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies administers over $29 million each year in scholarships, awards, and financial support for graduate students, as well as financial and loan advising. Additional scholarships are also available for specific faculties and programs.