Program Requirements

Coursework Lab Rotations Teaching Requirements Qualifying Exam Advance to Candidacy Thesis Research Annual Evaluation Graduation Requirements

Requirements

The PhD in Vision Science is based largely on training in research. The VS Program is formatted in such away that students are afforded the greatest amount of flexibility to investigate their research interests. Formal course work is primarily taken during the first year, and individual curricula and research are arranged in consultation with the student's academic Adviser and Thesis Mentor. Normative time for completion of the PhD in Vision Science is five years.

The following table is intended to serve as a general guide for currently enrolled Graduate students.

Standard Academic Timeline (PhD)

Required Coursework

Below is an overview of the coursework offerings and requirements for Vision Science. For more details, go to Courses.

• The PhD requires 20+ units of course work including successful completion of the Proseminar courses, individualized research, and a dissertation. The following is a list of required coursework

  VS201A: Survey of Laboratories
  VS201B: Student Evening Research Seminar
  VS212A,B,D,E,F,G: Proseminar Series
  VS 230: Ethics
  VS 298: Oxyopia Seminar
  VS299: Research
  VS300: Teaching Methods

• The MS in Vision Science requires a minimum of 20 semester units of course work, individualized research, and a thesis. While MS students are encouraged to follow the same course requirements as those seeking a PhD, alternate arrangements may be considered with the approval of the Research Mentor and the Head Graduate Advisor.

Proseminars

The Proseminar Series comprises a series of six 5-week intensive courses that in the ensemble cover the field of Vision Science. First-year PhD students are required to complete any five of the six courses. MS students are encouraged to enroll in the same. The series is intended to provide a general overview of the main topic areas in Vision Science for students of widely varying backgrounds. Credit is obtained under the following course titles (2 units per course).

VS212A - Optics and Dioptrics of the Eye
VS212B - Visual Neurophysiology and Development
VS212D - Anatomy and Vegetative Physiology of the Eye
VS212E - Color Vision and Visual Sensitivity
VS212F - Eye Movements, Motion Perception and Binocular Vision
VS212G - Molecular Genetics of Vertebrate Eye Development and Diseases

• The proseminar requirement must be fulfilled by the end of their first year. (Remediation could occur in the second year).
• Students may make a written petition to the Chair of the Vision Science Program requesting to test out of up to two proseminars, based on previous relevant coursework and/or experience.

Oxyopia

Oxyopia are seminars presented to the Vision Science community on weekly basis. These seminars are given by high-profile local and visiting researchers and are an excellent way for students to become more familiar  with the most recent developments in Vision Research.

• Required attendance in first year. Credit obtained under course VS298  (1 unit; S/U grade).
• Check the Oxyopia Schedule (Oxyopia) for upcoming seminars.
• Graduating students are also invited to participate in this series as a celebration of their achievement.

Student Evening Research Seminar (SERS)

SERS is a course offering Vision Science students the opportunity to report on their research and rotation activities.

• Required attendance for all first-year and second-year students although all graduate students are encouraged to attend, especially for topics of particular interest to them.
• Credit obtained under VS 298 - Section 3 (1 unit, S/U).

Survey of Laboratories

During the first year of the graduate program, students are presented with an overview of the various research opportunities represented in the Vision Science group.

• Weekly one-hour lecture and lab tour by Vision Science faculty
• Goal is to introduce first-year students to the faculty and labs
• Credit obtained under course VS201A - Seminar in Vision Science (2 units, S/U grade)
  

Ethics

In preparation for participation in research labs, each student is required to complete an Ethics Course within the first 2 years of enrollment.

• Training in the responsible conduct of research is required for all students
• This course examines a range of ethical issues that arise in the process of doing science
• Credit obtained under course VS230 - Ethics in Scientific Research (1 unit, S/U grade)

Teaching Methods

As participants in the teaching activities of the School of Optometry, 1st- and 2nd-year students are required to enroll in a Teaching Methods Course.

• Required for all Vision Science students; typically taken during the 1st or 2nd year
• Instruction in teaching methods and materials, practice teaching in classrooms and laboratories, observation of classes in session
• Credit obtained under course VS300 - Teaching Methods in Vision Science (1 unit, S/U grade)
  

Statistics

• Strongly recommended for most areas of Vision Science
• Meet with your Graduate Advisor to discuss your statistics background and the statistics needs for your intended area of research
  

Advanced Seminars

• Seminars given as continuation of the different themes established in the proseminar series. See Courses for seminar offerings for 2004-05.
• Students may also consider courses offered by other programs on campus, according to their needs.
• Meet with your Graduate Advisor and/or research mentor to discuss your needs and the options available.
  

Grades

• In the graduate program, a B or higher is considered a pass; a B- or lower is not a pass.
• Grades of B or better are required to pass all proseminars including those that are subjects of petitions.
• You are likely to be placed on probation if you do not pass the proseminar series or other preliminary components.
• You must make up all non-passing grades (below a B). Take care of non-passing grades as soon as possible; start by discussing how to do this with the relevant instructor-in-charge.
• You have to stay in good standing in order to be funded by the program; probation is a potential basis for removing funding.

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Lab Rotations

• Except in rare cases, it is required that first-year students do two lab rotations, typically one per semester. Students may choose to do more.
• The idea is to give you the opportunity to explore 2 or 3 different labs so you have more information about possible research topics and research mentors before choosing a lab and a direction for your thesis work.
  
• Rotation should be completed in your first year.
  
• Research undertaken over this period and subsequently is covered by Course number VS299.

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Teaching Requirements

• All PhD students are required to teach Vision Science lab courses in the Optometry curriculum for a minimum of two semesters at 25% time.
  
• All first-year students teach one semester as a Junior GSI. They will subsequently teach the same course in their second year as a Senior GSI.
  
• In addition to the two required semesters of teaching, students are encouraged to seek more experience by teaching the same or other courses as part of their training. This may involve courses in other departments.
  
• Students not eligible for GSI positions in Optometry (i.e., entering the Vision Science Master's or PhD program without financial support) may accept GSI appointments in other departments. A 50% GSI appointment for two semesters in vision-related courses in another department will generally satisfy the Vision Science teaching requirement. Students should consult with and obtain approval from the Vision Science chair before taking on such commitments.

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Qualifying Exam

Vision Science students are expected to take their oral qualifying exam in their fourth semester and no later than the summer before their fifth semester. If there are extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control, then the student can petition the Chair of the Vision Science Program for an exception to this time frame.

Students must be registered at the time the exam is taken. If they plan to take the exam over the summer, then they must be registered in the Spring Semester.

Begin scheduling and preparing for your Qualifying Exam at least three months before the exam date!

Choose your committee. You need 5 members to include:

• A committee chair who is not your Research Advisor.
• Two other Vision Science faculty members
• One "outside" committee member — a faculty member on the Berkeley campus who is not a member of the Group in Vision Science.  Please see the Student Affairs Officer for a list of possible outside members.
• The fifth member can be an inside or outside member — see the Student Affairs Officer to review your committee before asking them.
• The Chair of the Group in Vision Science must first approve exceptional members. If approved, a memo, signed by the Chair, will be submitted to the Graduate Division requesting the exception.

Choose 3 topic areas:

• The three subject areas should include the general and the non-departmental fields of knowledge in which you will be examined.
• Consult with your Research Advisor and Committee members.
• Present proposed areas to your committee chairman for approval.
• Present proposed areas to chair of Vision Science program for final approval.
• Meet with the Graduate Student Affairs Officer to review your committee and the form you will complete for Graduate Division approval, and to schedule the exam.
• Submit topics and committee member list to the Chair.
• The Chair of the Group in Vision Science has final approval of all exam committees and topic areas.

The exam consists of two main parts:

• A presentation by you covering your preliminary and proposed thesis research followed by discussion.
• General questions from the committee on your 3 topic areas.

Prepare for the exam:

• Meet with committee members to plan reading list and define topic areas.
• Meet with members as necessary to review readings.
• Prepare your presentation using slides and/or other visual material to complement it. It should be about 20- to 30-minutes long.
• Practice your presentation and do a mock exam with your fellow lab people and other graduate students.

Take the qualifying exam:

• Exams are scheduled for 3 hours; they typically last around 2 hours.
• Expect to be interrupted with questions from your committee during your presentation. This part of the exam is likely to occupy about half the time.
• Make sure room arrangements and any audiovisual requirements are in order. See the Student Affairs Officer to reserve a room.
• Confirm time and place of exam with all committee members the week before your exam. The Student Affairs Officer will send an email reminder to your committee and you one week prior to the exam, after confirming that the Graduate Division has approved.

Exam outcomes:

• You can pass, fail outright, or fail certain parts.
• If you pass, then you move on to Advance to Candidacy for the Ph.D. The Student Affairs Officer will send you the information on how to proceed.
• If you fail all or certain parts, the committee will decide on the action to be taken
  • If you fail only certain parts, the chair or a member of your qualifying committee will inform you how to remediate and/or if you will have an oral retesting on those parts.
  • If you fail outright, you can retake the exam one more time.
  • You must wait three months from your initial exam date to retake the exam or parts of it.

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Advance to Candidacy

Upon successful completion of the Qualifying Exam, you will become eligible to Advance to Candidacy. In order to do, complete the following steps:

• Finalize your research topic after completing your qualifying exam.
• Choose your thesis committee:
  • 3 members are required, including 1 "outside" member; see Graduate Student Affairs Officer for lists of inside and outside faculty.
• Choose members with two thoughts in mind:
  • who will be most helpful in the planning and execution of your thesis.
  • who will be most helpful in writing letters of recommendation for you upon graduation?
• Submit committee member list to Chair for approval
• See Graduate Student Affairs Officer to complete required forms for Advancement to Candidacy for the PhD.

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Thesis Research

When your Advancement to Candidacy has been accepted by the Graduate Division, you are required to

• Organize a thesis proposal meeting:
  • This is not required, but is strongly recommended as it typically generates a better plan and also gets your committee more involved.
  • Present a plan of your thesis to your committee and obtain feedback.
  • Adjust your thesis plan accordingly.
• Update your committee periodically on your progress and anticipated filing date. This keeps the committee involved and helps avoids timing conflicts after filing.
• Your research advisor is required to submit a grade for your research activities each enrolled semester. The course number is VS299.
• A seminar presentation based on your thesis work as part of the Oxyopia seminar series is strongly encouraged although not compulsory. It represents an opportunity to practice for up-coming job talks and also gains your research accomplishments important exposure within the Vision Science community.

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Annual Evaluation

To ensure that you are making satisfactory progress, you will be required to complete an annual evaluation.

• At beginning of each year, you must contact your assigned Graduate Advisor to set up a meeting. Allow approximately 30 minutes.
  
• These meetings are used to review progress in the previous year and set goals for the upcoming year.
  
• A progress and goal-setting letter must be prepared by you and your Graduate Advisor; submit one signed copy to the Vision Science Chair and another to the Graduate Student Affairs Officer for your file.

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Graduation (Degree) Requirements

The following table summarizes the requirements for MS and PhD degrees. When you have successfully completed these requirements, you are eligible for graduation and the conferral of the PhD in Vision Science. The Graduate Division has specific deadlines, fees, and filing procedure for those preparing to file the Doctoral Thesis. For the most up-to-date information on the correct fees and filing deadlines and procedures, see Graduate Division—Current Students.

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