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Vision Science (VISC)

Vision Science Course Descriptions

The B.S. in Vision Science degree requires the completion of 122 semester credit hours over a four year period. The degree program satisfies UIW Core curriculum requirements and the prerequisite requirements the Rosenberg School of Optometry (RSO), All UIW undergraduate core curriculum requirements are intended to be completed by the end of the junior undergraduate year.

Beyond the goal for successful entrance into the Doctor of Optometry program at RSO, the B.S. in Vision Science provides students the opportunity to earn a degree which satisfies most requirements for medical, dental and other health-related professional schools. Furthermore, the curriculum structure and content gives the graduate a strong foundation and credentials to embark on a biomedical graduate research career, or to enter the workforce as a vision-science or ophthalmic-related specialist.

Students in years 3 and 4 of the Vision Science Degree Program will rotate through optometry clinics as part of their curriculum. This is the only program in the country where undergraduate students spend a substantial amount of time learning under the guidance and supervision of clinical academic faculty and professional staff in both the classroom and out-patient clinical settings. This is also the only national preparatory vision science undergraduate degree program where students spend 3 rotations working with professional school interns in our outpatient facility and participating in outreach programs such as school vision screenings, health fairs, nursing home care and healthcare missions. To assist in preparing for the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT), Vision Science Degree students have the opportunity to enroll in a six week summer program designed to familiarize them with the OAT and to help them with focusing on the skills and knowledge needed to obtain competitive scores on the exam.

The B.S. in Vision Science degree is designed so students will have a foundation in vision science that far exceeds any other traditional applicants to optometry schools. This strong foundation will enhance the students’ competitive credentials for optometry school, and once enrolled in a doctor of optometry program, will help jump-start their success in the professional doctorate curriculum. The design, focus and spirit of the B.S. in Vision Science degree will produce graduates that are well trained and prepared to pursue professional healthcare education/degrees, medical/vision research and many other work opportunities in the healthcare and medical fields.

To fulfill the requirements for Vision Science major, the student must complete the following:

1. Rhetoric (6 hours--Grade of C or better is required)

ENGL 1311Composition I

or

ENGL 1311LComposition I

 

ENGL 1312Composition II

2. Literature and Fine Arts (6 hours):

ENGL 2310World Literature Studies

Fine Arts 3 Hours from Fine or Performing Arts

3. Philosophy and Religious Studies (9 hours):

PHIL 1381Introduction to Philosophy

RELS 13XXReligious Studies

3 additional upper-level hours from Philosophy or Religious Studies

4. History and Social Sciences (6 hours):

PSYC 1301Introduction to Psychology

HIST: 3 Hours from

HIST 1311World History I

HIST 1312World History II

HIST 1321The United States to 1865

HIST 1322U.S. Since 1865

5. Mathematics and Natural Sciences (7 hours):

MATH 2312Calculus I

BIOL 1402General Biology I for Majors and Laboratory

6. Second Language (6 hours):

Must be two consecutive courses of the same language or equivalent

7. Wellness (3 hours):

DWHP 1200Dimensions of Wellness

PEHP 11XXPhysical Education Activity Course (1 hour)

Vision Science Curriculum (Grade of C or better is required)

VISC 1112Introduction to Vision Science and Optometry

VISC 3211Applied Vision Science

VISC 3291Clinical Internship I

VISC 3292Integrated Ocular Science

VISC 3212Neuroscience and the Visual System

VISC 4322Immunology and Eye Disease

VISC 4311Visual Optics

VISC 4291Clinical Internship II

VISC 4211Visual Pharmacological Science

VISC 4392Clinical Internship III

VISC 4212Public Health and Epidemiology

VISC 4312Ophthalmic Lenses and Optical Design

VISC 4242Ocular Nutrition

Support Work (Grade of C or better is required)

COMM 1311Public Speaking

MATH 2303Introduction to Probability and Statistics

MATH elective (3 credits)

3 hours general elective based upon mathematics credits earned and advisor approval (3)

BIOL 3311Cell Biology

BIOL 3471General Microbiology

CHEM 1301Chemical Principles I

CHEM 1203LGeneral Chemistry Laboratory

CHEM 2311Organic Chemistry I

CHEM 2111Organic Chemistry I Lab

CHEM 2312Organic Chemistry II

CHEM 2112Organic Chemistry II Lab

CHEM 4351/BIOL 4351Biochemistry I

PHYS 2305Physics I

PHYS 2105Physics I Lab

PHYS 2306Physics II

PHYS 2106Physics II Laboratory

NUTR 2341Introduction to Nutrition

BMGT 3340Management Theory and Practice