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Degree Offered:
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Ph.D., M.S.
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Director:
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Dr. Kent Keyser
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Phone:
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(205) 975-7225
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E-mail:
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rhart@uab.edu
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Web site:
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www.visionscience.uab.edu
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Faculty
Claudio Busettini, Assistant Professor (Vision Science); Eye movements
Champion C.S. Deivanayagam,
Roderick J. Fullard, Associate Professor (Vision Science); Corneal and Tear Biochemistry, Dry Eye
Paul D. R. Gamlin, Professor (Vision Science); Eye Movements, Pupillary Light Reflex
Timothy J. Gawne, Assistant Professor (Vision Science); Central Visual Processing
Alecia Gross, Assistant Professor (Vision Sciences); Rhodopsin mediated retinal degenerations, GPCR trafficking
Kent T. Keyser, Professor (Vision Science); Neurotransmitters and Receptors
Timothy W. Kraft, Assistant Professor (Ophthalmology); Retinal Photoreceptors and Color Vision
Michael Loop, Associate Professor (Vision Sciences)
Lisa F. Moses, Research Assistant Professor (Optometry)
Thomas T. Norton, Professor (Vision Science); Regulation of Ocular Development, Emmetropization, and Myopia
Steven J. Pittler, Professor (Vision Science); Photoreceptor Function in Health and Disease
Om P. Srivastava, Professor (Vision Science); Cataractogenesis
David Whikehart, Professor Emeritus (Vision Sciences)
Program Information
Envision yourself in a lab conducting cutting–edge research that may lead to improved treatments for glaucoma or cataract, gene therapy for blinding retinal diseases, or provide fundamental information on how the brain works so that we can we see. Envision yourself using the knowledge and research skills you gain as a student to establish your own research lab, serve as a scientific advisor to governments or the military, or teach at the graduate or undergraduate level. These are just a few of the many possibilities available to graduates of the Vision Science Graduate Program.
Through basic, translational, or clinical research, the Vision Science Graduate Program offers opportunities to investigate all facets of vision, including (but certainly not limited to) visual neuroscience, the genetics of blinding diseases, visual perception, all areas of the eye and the visual regions of the brain using a variety of techniques, including functional brain and eye imaging. Our didactic courses provide fundamental knowledge about the biological bases of vision. Laboratory research provides intensive involvement with a faculty member and other students to prepare students for postdoctoral study or other research environments. We have the most up-to-date advanced equipment to address our research from many avenues of exploration to solve the most difficult problems. We actively foster unique inter- and intra-departmental laboratory collaborative efforts to exploit the full benefits of UAB’s resources and explore students’ full potential.
Admission and Financial Aid
Applications for admission to the graduate program in vision science are reviewed by the Graduate Admissions Committee. The committee looks at the applicants' scores in the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). A combined score of at least 1000 in the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE exam is required for the M.S. degree, and at least 1200 for the Ph.D. degree. Admission also requires undergraduate grades of at least a B average overall, and three letters of recommendation. Applicants should have a strong background in the biological, physical, or health sciences. Students with suitable foreign qualifications are welcome to apply, but must demonstrate a command of written and spoken English, in addition to a score of at least 570 on the TOEFL examination. Over the past fifteen years, 40% of the graduates of the program have been women. We continue to encourage qualified women and underrepresented minorities to apply.
M.S. Degree
Some students may wish to pursue graduate training at the master's level. Two calendar years are needed to complete the M.S. degree in vision science. Each candidate must complete a minimum of 30 hours of credit: 24 credit hours in vision science and 6 credit hours in related graduate courses.
In addition, the candidate must successfully complete a research thesis by the conclusion of the final year.
Selected students in the UAB optometry professional program are encouraged to combine the O.D. degree with the M.S. degree in Vision Science. Financial assistance is available for qualified students. Potential candidates should have completed undergraduate degree in a biological, physical, or health science field.
Ph.D. Degree
The Ph.D. degree is based upon completion of graduate course work, a qualifying examination, research, and a dissertation and defense. There is considerable flexibility in the coursework for the Ph.D. in vision science.
Each student is required to take the first-year core curriculum (VIS 743 thru 748). Students then take three additional courses, selected by the student in consultation with the mentor, and a course in statistics. The program is flexible so that, for example, students who have interests in visual neuroscience may take courses in the neuroscience sequence: VIS 729, Introduction to Neurobiology; Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology; Integrative Neuroscience; and Developmental Neuroscience.
Other courses at a similar level can be substituted so that students can take maximum advantage of offerings in other programs. Individuals with clinical backgrounds will have an opportunity for clinical development. Students are also offered an opportunity to gain teaching experience.
Additional Information
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Deadline for Entry Term(s):
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Fall
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Deadline for All Application Materials to be in the Graduate School Office:
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January 15th
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Number of Evaluation Forms Required:
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Three
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Entrance Tests
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GRE (TOEFL and TWE also required for international applicants whose native language is not English.)
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Comments
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None
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Graduate Catalog Description
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http://main.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=24933
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For detailed information, contact the graduate program manager, Dr. Ramona Hart, UAB Department of Vision Science, WORB 618, 1530 3rd Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35294-4390 (office location: Worrell Building, Room 601A, 924 18th Street South).
Telephone 205-934-6743
E-mail rhart@uab.edu
Web www.visionscience.uab.edu
Course Descriptions
Unless otherwise noted, all courses are for 3 semester hours of credit. Course numbers preceded with an asterisk indicate courses that can be repeated for credit, with stated stipulations.
Vision Science (VIS)
Core Curriculum
743. Optics and Imaging. Optical properties of the eye. Transparency, aberrations, modulation transfer functions of the eye. Use of coherent optics (lasers) in vision research, MRI in vision research.
744. Ocular Anatomy, Physiology & Biochemistry I. Anatomy of the eye. Biochemistry and physiology of ocular tissues, including tears, cornea, aqueous humor, lens, vitreous and sclera.
745. Ocular Anatomy, Physiology & Biochemistry II. Continued examination of ocular anatomy, biochemistry and physiology of the eye. 746. Retina and Subcortical Systems. Retinal circuitry and receptive fields, including color coding, adaptation, circadian rhythms, parallel pathways, and development.
747. Central Visual Mechanisms I. Structure and function of geniculostriate parallel pathways, subcortical projections, and the oculomotor system.
748. Central Visual Mechanisms II. Analysis of the visual scene by cortical neurons, including temporal coding, motion detection, shape analysis, leading to visual perception.