视觉科学研究生课程的理学硕士学位课程要求可平均在两到四年内完成。报名参加VIS的四门课程中的两门（VIS 743、744、745或765），研究伦理课程（GRD 717），期刊俱乐部/文学评论课程（VIS 700/790），至少需要4个学期的批准时间选修课和非论文/论文研究时间（VIS 698/699）。在所选的实验室中完成三个10周的实验室轮换。在第一年，学生利用他们在课堂和实验室中的经验来帮助他们进一步确定研究兴趣。实验室轮换让学生选择他们感兴趣的领域和顾问，这样的想法是，在第三轮轮换结束时，学生将准
Vision Science is a multidisciplinary field where basic scientists and clinicians focus on the discovery of new knowledge that will further our understanding of the eye and vision. This discovery includes virtually every scientific discipline where advances come from biologists, neuroscientists, optical engineers, epidemiologists, psychologists, optometrists, physicians and others. The Vision Science Graduate Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham provides comprehensive training for the next generation of leaders in vision science. Your decision to pursue graduate training in this program will place you at the center of one of the nation's top biomedical research institutions and will immerse you in collaborative multidisciplinary research environment that is today's model for biomedical research leadership. Moreover, our training environment will present opportunities for creative career paths such as dual degree programs with business, law and public health that will allow you to position yourself for a career as unique as your individual talents and interests. Two calendar years are generally required to complete the Master of Science degree (MS) in the Vison Science Graduate Program. 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 and defend a research thesis.