NECO.edu ~ Doctor of Optometry Program

M.S. in Vision Science

The Master of Science in Vision Science is designed to provide experience in vision research methodology through the development and execution of an original research project, and completion and defense of a research thesis. The curriculum is based on a total of 55.5 credit hours of study.

The College seeks to admit students into this program who possess the qualities necessary for success in research. The goal of the program is to train students (especially optometrists) to perform original research in vision science. There are two ways to earn this degree:

Dual OD/MS Degrees

Designed for optometry students who wish to earn a Master of Science (MS) degree while studying for the Doctor of Optometry degree. The MS degree in the dual degree program is available at no additional cost to qualified students who are enrolled in the College’s OD degree program.

Stand-alone MS Degree

Designed for candidates who wish to earn the MS degree without enrolling in the College’s OD degree program. Qualified candidates must have a college-level background in science or a professional degree. This is a single, tuition-based graduate degree program.

The MS program features graduate-level courses, seminars, an original research project, and completion of a thesis with a thesis defense. The dual OD/MS degree is completed within the time frame of the four-year professional degree program and involves modifications to the course sequence in the OD curriculum. The stand-alone MS degree is usually completed in two years.

The Master of Science in Vision Science program is designed to develop the analytical thinking and problem-solving skills needed to be a successful scientist. The program emphasizes research in an area of vision science that is determined by the student’s interests and the expertise of the graduate faculty, as defined by their ongoing research programs.

Students who are accepted into this program will have training in areas not typically available to optometry students. This will provide enhanced career opportunities. MS degree candidates develop skills that can help them contribute new knowledge to the field, help them assess new scientific developments relevant to optometry, and enable them to be more competitive for residencies and academic and industry positions following graduation. The graduates of this program have the potential to become intellectual leaders in the profession.

Curriculum: An Overview of the Master of Science Program

The curriculum is based on a total of 55.5 credit hours of study: 20 credit hours are for dual degree courses also included in the OD curriculum, 20.5 credit hours are graduate-level courses for MS candidates, and 15 credit hours involve the planning and execution of the research project.

Dual Degree Courses

Human Anatomy, Optics I, and Theory and Methods of Vision Testing (total 18 credit hours): These courses provide much of the necessary background in the major areas of research available to MS students. They are also required for the OD degree so OD/MS students will receive dual credit. Students in the independent MS program may be eligible for credit transfer or exemptions based on courses already completed before entering the Masters program. Laboratory Research Survey (2 credit hours): This course provides an overview of the basic areas of research conducted at the College. The graduate faculty will give presentations on their research, including major hypotheses and findings, and representative research designs and procedures.

MS Degree Courses

Biostatistics and Experimental Design (4.5 credit hours): This course covers the fundamentals of statistical design and data analysis in vision science.

Research Colloquia (total 4 credit hours): These sessions are held throughout the academic year, and feature invited speakers chosen from an international group of researchers who lecture on a wide variety of topics. Graduate students will read and discuss topical papers in advance of each lecture and meet with the guest speaker. Additional lectures will be held on research ethics and accepted procedures for the use of human and animal subjects.

Graduate Research Seminars (total 12 credit hours): The seminars will cover the four core content areas available to MS students for their research projects. These areas represent graduate faculty research interests:

Biomedical Research in Vision
Visual Optics
Visual Neurophysiology and the Development of Vision
Special Topics in Eye Growth, Emmetropization and the Development of Myopia

MS Research Credits

MS Research Project (total 15 credit hours): This is the major emphasis of the program and involves the development, execution and completion of a master’s thesis.

For more information. For the application for OD/MS or stand alone MS.

Current Graduate Faculty and Areas of Research

The New England College of Optometry supports an active research program in the vision and biomedical sciences that is diverse in its investigations and has far-reaching implications. Faculty, research facilities and funding from The National Eye Institute rival those of university-based schools of optometry. Profiles of the Graduate Faculty and their research interests may be viewed online (www.neco.edu ).

§ Anthony Cavallerano, O.D., Diabetes, Retina, and Telemedicine

§ Nancy Coletta, O.D., Ph.D., Visual Assessment and Visual Optics

§ Stacey S. Choi, O.D., Ph.D., Adaptive-Optics Retinal Imaging in Ocular Disease

§ James Comerford, O.D., Ph.D., Neuropharmacological and Clinical Psychophysics

§ Li Deng, Ph.D., Experimental design and sample size planning, longitudinal data analysis, correlated data analysis and carcinogenesis modeling.

§ Nathan Doble, Ph.D., Adaptive-Optics Techniques for in vivo Retinal Imaging

§ Barry Fisch, O.D., Ocular imaging for chronic eye disease affecting the posterior pole and optic nerve: Glaucoma, Diabetes and Macula Degeneration. Glaucoma management

§ Haiyan Gong, M.D., Ph.D., Hemodynamics of Aqueous Humor Flow (MIT and Boston University)

§ Jane Gwiazda, Ph.D., Development of Vision and Myopia in Humans

§ Ji He, Ph.D., Visual Optics and Visual Performance

§ Steven Koevary, Ph.D., Prevention of Autoimmune Diseases, Ocular Drug Delivery

§ Glen McCormack, O.D., Ph.D., Accommodation, Convergence and Aniseikonia

§ Bruce Moore, O.D., Refractive Development and Clinical Testing of Children

§ Debora Nickla, Ph.D., Animal Models of Myopia, Ocular Circadian Rhythms

§ Eli Peli, O.D., M.S., Low Vision and Image Enhancement (Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School)

§ Frank Thorn, O.D., Ph.D., Development of Myopia and Effects of Visual Degradation

§ Erik Weissberg, O.D., Pediatric Optometry, Binocular Vision

For additional information and an application packet please contact the Office of Admissions at 1-800-824-5526 or admissions@neco.edu