The MS degree program is designed for candidates who wish to earn a master of science in vision science without enrolling in the College's four-year program.
Qualified candidates must have a college-level background in science or a professional degree. The MS degree is usually completed in two years.
The MS program features graduate-level courses, seminars, and original research projects, completing a thesis with a thesis defence. The program is designed to develop the analytical thinking and problem-solving skills needed to be a successful scientist. The program emphasizes research in vision science that is determined by the student's interests and the graduate faculty's expertise.
Students accepted into the MS program receive a broad background in vision science and strength training in research. The program provides graduates with enhanced career opportunities and skills that enable them to contribute new knowledge to the field, help them assess new scientific developments relevant to optometry and vision science, and be more competitive for residencies and academic or industry positions following graduation.
The courses within the program cover the fundamentals of statistical design and data analysis in vision science. These sessions are held throughout the year and feature invited speakers chosen from an international group of researchers who lecture on a wide variety of topics. Graduate students read and discuss topical papers in advance of each lecture and meet with the guest speaker. Additional lectures are held on research ethics and accepted procedures for the use of human and animal subjects.