Program Overview

Introduction to the Master's in Vision Science Degree Program

The Master's in Vision Science degree program is designed to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the eye's inner workings and its interactions with the rest of the body. Through this program, students can study various research topics, including dry eye disease, myopia, retinal degeneration, and clinically-focused studies.

Program Overview

The M.S. degree in Vision Science can prepare students for careers in education, research laboratories, policy work, and jobs in the optometric and ophthalmological industries.

Degree Requirements

To complete the Master's in Vision Science degree program, students must:

• Complete at least 30 credit hours
• Complete at least 6 credit hours of VIS 699 Master's thesis research hours
• Complete three 10-week lab rotations based on research interests
• Select a primary research advisor after one rotation
• Select a thesis committee consisting of the primary research advisor and two other faculty members
• Develop a thesis research project and present a research proposal to the thesis committee
• Conduct thesis research, write a thesis, and publicly defend thesis research

Curriculum

The curriculum for the Master's in Vision Science degree program includes:

• VIS 610 Ocular Anatomy and Biology (4 credit hours; Fall term)
• VIS 611 Biology and Pathology of Ocular Disease (4 credit hours; Spring term)
• VIS 700 Vision Research Literature Review (1 credit hour; every Fall and Spring term)
• GRD 717 Principles of Scientific Integrity (3 credit hours)
• VIS 698 Master's Level Non-Thesis Research (credit hours vary)
• VIS 699 Master's Level Thesis Research (at least 6 credit hours)
• Elective (at least 3 credit hours)

Financial Information

Tuition and fees for the Vision Science Graduate Program are set by the Graduate School.

• A summary of annual tuition for a full-time student of the Graduate School is available.
• All fees for graduate students are also available. No financial support is currently offered for Master's students.