Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Graduate Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Graduate Catalog [Not Current Academic Year. Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

Physiological Optics/Vision Science, Ph.D.


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About the Program

The graduate program in physiological optics/vision science is structured to provide a broad base of scientific knowledge about both human and animal visual systems. The program is appropriately flexible to permit students to develop expertise in special interests such as visual optics, visual psychophysics, form and space perception, neurophysiology of vision, molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of the visual system, physiology of the eye, eye movement control systems, color mechanisms, binocular vision, and development of vision.

Twenty-five faculty members with diverse academic backgrounds and scientific interests participate in the program, which currently has 32 graduate students.

The facilities and resources for the program are exceptional. The research laboratories all have computers which are linked through an Ethernet and connected to the Internet. Shared facilities include histological laboratories with an transmission electron microscope and a confocal microscope, molecular and cell biology labs, a scanning laser ophthalmoscope, eye-trackers, animal quarters, an electronics shop and machine shop with full-time technical personnel, and complete audiovisual facilities. A large optometry clinic is available for patient-based research.

Doctor of Philosophy Track

Students with either a Bachelor of Science degree or a doctorate (or equivalent) degree in optometry or medicine are eligible to enter the Doctor of Philosophy track. This track requires about four years of study, including 60 semester hours of courses, teaching experience, a reading knowledge of a foreign language or research skill, a qualifying examination, original research, with written dissertation, and a defense of the dissertation.

Admission Requirements  

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