Vision Science, MS

Introduction

This program provides the student with a broad understanding of vision science and in-depth knowledge of a particular area within the field. It offers a wide variety of specialty areas within vision science, enables the student to grow expertise in a specific division of vision science, and equips the student to perform research independently. It is designed to prepare the students to continue to a doctoral degree or seek career opportunities with their specialized applied vision research skills in academic, corporate, and other professional settings.

Degree Requirements

This is a multidisciplinary research program. Students must demonstrate a breadth of knowledge in vision science and competence in conducting empirical research. Degree requirements include:

• Satisfactory coursework, including the designated coursework listed below and maintaining a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher;
• A written and oral examination of the thesis proposal;
• A written and oral defense of the final thesis report. 

If requirements are changed, students may complete programs under the requirements in effect at the time of initial enrollment or readmission. They may elect to move to the new requirements in their entirety.

Coursework

• MS students must complete courses from the following six categories with a minimum of 43.75 credits.

• OD/MS or post-OD students from an ACOE-accredited optometry program may satisfy some coursework with relevant course credits from their OD programs.

• For graduate credit, the grade in a course must be C or higher. 

• To stay in good academic standing, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better and make satisfactory progress toward the degree. Students whose GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation and have two semesters/terms to improve their GPA to 3.0 or higher. Those who cannot return to good academic standing after two semesters/terms are subject to APS review and may be dismissed from the VSG Programs.

The Master’s curriculum consists of coursework in the following six categories. Students with a bachelor’s degree in Optometry should complete 43.75 credits from the six categories listed below. OD/MS or post-OD students from an ACOE-accredited optometry program may satisfy some coursework with relevant course credits from their OD program. Students with other backgrounds may require additional coursework, determined by the VSG Committee and the student’s academic adviser.

The Master’s curriculum consists of coursework in the following six categories.

1. Vision Science Core courses: 18.25 credits
2. Vision Science Seminars: 9.0 credits
3. Basic Research skills: 6.5 credits
4. Clinical Skills: 1.0 credit
5. Master’s Research Work: 8.0 credits
6. Elective Courses: 1.0 credit

Total: 43.75 credits

Courses marked with * have an equivalent course with an OPT prefix.  See course description for details.

Program Details

Admission

Program Length

The program is structured to accommodate an average student’s completion within two years, encompassing five semesters, which includes one summer term, to fulfill all degree requirements. The study time may vary based on students’ backgrounds. The total time allowed to complete all MS degree requirements is five years.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the MSVS program’s degree requirements, students will have the following skills:

1. Mastery of Knowledge: Graduates will demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of a broad range of topics within vision science, understand the behavioral, physiological, and environmental factors of a visual condition, and be able to apply the learned concepts and skills to empirical research activities and clinical practices. 
2. Critical Thinking: Graduates will demonstrate the ability to assess empirical evidence and statistical outcomes by evaluating the underlying rationale, evidence, and biases in their scientific and clinical applications, form well-reasoned perspectives, and apply the principles of evidence-based medicine to scientific and clinical inquiries. 
3. Mastery of Research Skills: Graduates will demonstrate the ability to identify meaningful research questions through a well-rounded literature review, master the analytical skills to address the research question, and use proper clinical and laboratory methods to collect, analyze, and interpret the data. Graduates will also demonstrate skills in written and oral communication sufficient to publish and/or present research work in their field.
4. Competency in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Graduates will demonstrate the ability to recognize personal and social responsibility for effective citizenship, demonstrate openness to new and diverse perspectives based on differences in areas such as cultural and socioeconomic background, reflect one’s own biases when appropriate, and interact respectfully in various contexts. Graduates also apply their competency in healthcare and research contexts with diverse populations.

Academic Progress Evaluation

MS students should make satisfactory progress toward their degree, evaluated by the Academic and Professional Standard Committee and the Vision Science Graduate Committee. 

Students completing the Proposal Exam should meet with their research committee at least once per semester. The committee will determine whether the student has made adequate progress and report this to the program director and the Vision Science Graduate Committee. Any changes to the project’s aims, as detailed in the Thesis Proposal, should be provided and approved by the Thesis Committee at these meetings and submitted to the program director. The students may be asked to demonstrate their research progress and proficiency in research communication through public oral presentations. Students receiving unsatisfactory evaluations from their advisor and the Vision Science Graduate Committee may be sent to the Academic and Professional Standard Committee for performance review.  

MS Thesis Examination

All Master of Science (MS) students are required to undergo a Thesis Proposal Examination, presenting an original research project ideally before or during their third term of study. The proposal should center on original scholarly empirical research, aiming to contribute new insights to the scientific community and be suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals.  Presentation of the project at local and national meetings is strongly encouraged.

The research advisor works with the student and the program director to form an MS Thesis Committee to guide the student’s thesis work and serves as the examination committee for the student’s proposal examination and final thesis defense. The committee must have a minimum of three members, including:

• The thesis advisor, who serves as the chairperson of the thesis committee;

• Two or more committee readers;

• It is preferred that two or more of the committee members (including the advisor) are faculty of Pacific University College of Optometry;

• Additional committee readers may be added to provide expertise when deemed appropriate.

All committee members must be members of the graduate faculty at Pacific University. The Director of the VSG Program approves all thesis committees. Changes of committee members must be requested by the student in writing and approved by the VSG Committee.

The proposal exam comprises two parts: the evaluation of a written proposal and the oral exam of a public presentation of the research proposal. In the proposal, the students should specify their research questions and include adequate literature background to support their hypotheses and the need for research. Students who pass the proposal exam are moved to the MS candidacy and are allowed to submit their thesis proposal to the IRB for review and approval before embarking on the data collection.

Thesis Defense and Graduation

The final examination for the degree involves defending the thesis research in front of the research committee and the public. During the term of the thesis defense, the student must be registered for VSC 791  and has completed, or is scheduled to complete, all required coursework at the end of the same term. 

The student defends the thesis to their thesis committee in written and oral forms. Passing the thesis defense exam requires unanimous agreement from the thesis committee, with revisions if necessary. In the case of an unsuccessful defense exam, the student may re-defend the thesis at least 30 days after the initial defense, or appeal the failed defense to the Dean of the College of Optometry.

Once the thesis defense is successfully passed, the student must submit an electronic version of the thesis approved by the Thesis Committee and a scanned signature page by the committee members to the program director and the university before the degree can be conferred.