UAB School of Optometry Vision Science Graduate Program

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. 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.