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Vision Science (Doctor of Philosophy)

See: Vision Science (PhD)

College/School: Rosenberg School of Optometry

The Doctor of Philosophy in Vision Science program prepares students through interdisciplinary study for scholarly research and professional contribution. The program emphasizes detailed coursework and an emphasis on conducting research and interacting with students, faculty, patients and fellow professionals in a variety of academic, laboratory and clinical settings.

Admissions

Admission to doctoral study is restricted to applicants whose backgrounds show promise of scholarship in the field of study. Before admission to the doctoral program, an applicant must submit:

  • Master’s Degree in a field relevant to vision science from an accredited university.
  • Official transcripts from all undergraduate, graduate and/or professional schools.
  • Two Letters of recommendation from professional colleagues, instructors or professors.
  • Official Score Report of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with Verbal
  • The following GRE component scores are highly recommended:

    Verbal Reasoning ≥ 142

    Quantitative Reasoning ≥ 143

    Analytical Writing ≥ 2.7

  • International Students: Official score report of English proficiency test
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00
  • Conditional admission allowed; retention based on performance in core curriculum

Apply to UIW

Application for the Doctor of Philosophy in Vision Science program 

 

Degree Requirements

Successful completion of the Doctor of Philosophy program requires:

  • a minimum of 33 months in residency;
  • a minimum of 60 credit hours;
  • successful completion of all core curriculum with letter grades of “B” or higher;
  • successful completion of a written qualifying exam;
  • successful completion of an oral qualifying exam and advancement to candidacy;
  • successful completion of a written dissertation, major portions of which are suitable for publication as at least three papers in peer-reviewed journals.

The PhD program in Vision Science consists of 60 credit hours. Core curriculum coursework accounts for 26 hours. After successful completion of the core coursework, students are eligible to take a written qualifying exam, which is an objective, multiple-choice exam reflecting a compilation of topics from the core curriculum. The qualifying exam is scheduled for the summer semester. In the fall of the second year of enrollment, an oral qualifying exam is offered to determine the student’s eligibility to continue in dissertation research and writing.

Candidates for the PhD must complete 30 hours of dissertation research and writing, which begin at the end of completion of core coursework.

Department of Defense students may begin coursework in July, to match their Permanent Change of Station move; this option is also available to non-DOD students.

Independent study can be substituted for in-class course attendance if approved by the dissertation advisor and course instructor(s), but all courses must be completed with a letter grade of “B” or higher.

Core Curriculum

Fall Semester—Year 1

VISC 7305Fundamentals of Vision Science

3
VISC 7310Binocular Vision and Ocular Motility

3
VISC 7115Genomics Medicine

1
VISC 7220Ocular Physiology

2
MATH 6363Research Statistics

3
VISC 7125Teaching In Vision Science

1

Spring Semester—Year 1

VISC 7530Visual and Applied Optics

5
VISC 7335Clinical Ocular Anatomy

3
VISC 7240Functional Neuroanatomy

2
VISC 7245Research Methodology and Dissertation Development

2
VISC 7125Teaching In Vision Science

1

Matriculation Program Curriculum

Summer Semester—Year 1

VISC 7125Teaching In Vision Science

1
VISC 8550Dissertation Research, Analysis and Writing

5
Written Qualifying Exam

Fall Semester—Year 2

VISC 7125Teaching In Vision Science

1
VISC 8550Dissertation Research, Analysis and Writing

5
Oral Qualifying Exam

Spring Semester—Year 2 Advancement to Candidacy (contingent on passing the oral exam)

VISC 7125Teaching In Vision Science

1
VISC 8550Dissertation Research, Analysis and Writing

5

Summer Semester—Year 2

VISC 7125Teaching In Vision Science

1
VISC 8550Dissertation Research, Analysis and Writing

5

Fall Semester—Year 3

VISC 8550Dissertation Research, Analysis and Writing

5

Spring Semester—Year 3

VISC 8550Dissertation Research, Analysis and Writing

5