Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences (M.S.)
Admission Requirements
Admission is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School and the graduate programs of the School of Medicine, respectively. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required for admission to the M.S. program. An interview with the Graduate Committee Chairperson or designated representative is desirable. The Graduate Record Examination is required for admission. Foreign students must be proficient in English as determined by satisfactory performance on the standardized TOEFL English proficiency examination.
M.S. Program
The Master of Science in Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences requires a minimum of 32 credits. The program is designed to be a rigorous two-year program, with a comprehensive scholarly emphasis. After completion, the overall experience, knowledge, and skills gained during the program will allow students to apply their newly acquired abilities across a broad range of research and educational settings, as well as support those interested in continuing in a Ph.D. program or health professional school. For those interested in continuing in an M.D. program, the M.S. program has a linkage agreement with WSU School of Medicine that guarantees a medical school interview for those that complete the program with high performance levels (M.S. linkage agreement information)
Students select one of two available tracks of study: either the Research Track or the Education Track. The first year is focused on coursework and the second year emphasizes hands-on development in research or teaching. A written thesis is required for both tracks. All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the Graduate School and the School of Medicine governing graduate scholarship and degrees.
All M.S. students are required to participate in the seminar series each semester. M.S. students in the research track are required to take Essential Research Practices regardless of program focus (Visual Sciences or Neuroscience). All students are required to submit a Plan of Work (POW) that is provided by the Office of Graduate Programs at the School of Medicine, within six months of entering the program.
Research
The Research Track offers specialization in either Neuroscience or the Visual Sciences. Students are provided the opportunity to learn state-of-the-art techniques related to preclinical and clinical research.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester - Year 1 | ||
| MGG 7010 | Molecular Biology and Genetics | 4 |
| OVA 7270 | Special Projects in Anatomy | 2-3 |
| OVA 7890 | Seminar | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | ||
OVA 7055 | ||
| Human Microscopic Anatomy | ||
| Neuroanatomy | ||
| Winter Semester - Year 1 | ||
| OVA 7890 | Seminar | 1 |
| OVA 7996 | Research | 1-15 |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Mechanisms of Ocular Disease I (required for Vision subdiscipline) | ||
| Neuroanatomy (required for Neuroscience subdiscipline) | ||
| Fall Semester - Year 2 | ||
| GS 0900 | Essential Research Practices: Responsible Conduct of Research | 0 |
| OVA 8999 | Master's Thesis Research and Direction | 1-8 |
| OVA 7890 | Seminar | 1 |
| Optional: | ||
| Biostatistics I | ||
| Mechanisms of Ocular Disease II (required for Vision subdiscipline) | ||
| Winter Semester - Year 2 | ||
| OVA 8999 | Master's Thesis Research and Direction | 1-8 |
| OVA 7890 | Seminar | 1 |
| Optional: | ||
| Fundamentals of Neuropsychiatric Disorders | ||
- *
Students interested in the Neuroscience subdiscipline should take at least 2 of the 3 following core courses: OVA 7010, OVA 7030, OVA 7130.
- +
Students interested in the Vision Sciences subdiscipline should take the following core courses to enhance their training experience: OVA 7055, OVA 7065, OVA 7075.
Education
The Education Track provides the opportunity to learn and teach Gross Anatomy, Microanatomy (Histology), Embryology, and Neuroanatomy. Students will participate in both virtual microscopy and human cadaveric dissection, ultimately acquiring expertise and marketable skills in teaching related courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester - Year 1 | ||
| OVA 7010 | Human Gross Anatomy | 8 |
| OVA 7030 | Human Microscopic Anatomy | 4 |
| OVA 7890 | Seminar | 1 |
| Winter Semester - Year 1 | ||
| OVA 7130 | Neuroanatomy | 4 |
| OVA 7260 | Special Dissection | 4 |
| OVA 7890 | Seminar | 1 |
| Spring/Summer Semester - Year 1 | ||
| OVA 7260 | Special Dissection | 2 |
| Fall Semester - Year 2 | ||
| GS 0900 | Essential Research Practices: Responsible Conduct of Research | 0 |
| OVA 7270 | Special Projects in Anatomy | 4 |
| OVA 7890 | Seminar | 1 |
| OVA 8999 | Master's Thesis Research and Direction | 2-4 |
| Winter Semester - Year 2 | ||
| OVA 7270 | Special Projects in Anatomy | 2 |
| OVA 7890 | Seminar | 1 |
| OVA 8999 | Master's Thesis Research and Direction | 2-4 |