Master of Science (MSc) in Vision Science

The program information below was valid for the fall 2023 term (September 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

• Admit term(s) 
  • Fall
  • Winter
  • Spring
• Delivery mode 
  • On-campus
• Length of program 
  • The minimum number of terms during which a student must register full-time for an MSc is two. The terms of full-time enrolment do not have to be consecutive.
• Program type 
  • Master's
  • Research
• Registration option(s) 
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
• Study option(s) 
  • Thesis

• Minimum requirements 
  • The program is open to students with at least a 75% standing (or equivalent international level) in the last two years of:
    • An Optometry or Vision Science program.
    • An honors BSc (or BEng) (or equivalent) in an area relevant to the proposed studies.
    • An honors degree (or equivalent) in a health-related program.
    • An honors degree (or equivalent) with additional training or experience in a relevant field.
  • Students will be considered for admission on individual merit and may require a specific program designed to remedy deficiencies in the relevant Vision Sciences with appropriate core science courses.
  • Promising candidates must demonstrate that they are capable of managing the diverse background requirements for the program.
• Application materials 
  • Résumé
  • Supplementary information form
  • Transcript(s)
• References 
  • Number of references:  3
  • Type of references: 

    academic

• English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Thesis option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• Course requirements are tailored to meet the needs and backgrounds of individual students.
• Students must complete a minimum of 4 one-term graduate courses (0.50 unit weight) (or equivalent):
  • 3 of the courses must be selected from the Vision Science Core Course Streams, with at least 1 course from Core Stream A – Scientific Methods (OPTOM 650 – OPTOM 669) and at least 1 course from Core Stream B – Vision Science (OPTOM 670 – OPTOM 689).
  • Normally only 1 course may be an independent study course (OPTOM 608 Special Topics in Vision Science).

Link(s) to courses

• Optometry (OPTOM) courses

Master's Seminar

• Seminar requirements are tailored to meet the needs and backgrounds of individual students.
• Students must present at least 1 talk during their degree program on their current research, as well as, attend a minimum of 10 research seminars and a one day research symposium throughout each year of enrolment. The seminar requirements can be fulfilled by attending the School’s annual program. Consideration will be given (in special cases) to attend an alternate research symposium if it is not possible to attend the School’s annual program.

Master’s Thesis Proposal

• By the end of their third term of enrollment (sixth for part-time students) in the program students must have successfully completed:
  • a thesis proposal and
  • a formal presentation of the proposed thesis research to their Advisory Committee.

Master’s Thesis

• A primary requirement for the award of the MSc degree is the writing of a thesis and the successful defense of the thesis in front of an Examining Committee.