Images courtesy of R. Caldwell lab

Graduate Student courses

The Vision Discovery Institute currently offers two courses to students who have an interest in vision research. We welcome all students, including those from other areas, who may also have an interest in vision science and ophthalmic diseases.

Fundamentals of Vision Science (ANAT 8030):

Course description: This introductory course, which is offered each spring semester, covers the fundamentals of the visual system including anatomy, embryology, biochemistry, cell biology and physiology of vision, general and ocular pharmacology, immunology and overview of pathology of the eye. This course is team-taught by GHSU Vision Discovery Institute faculty.

Goals of the course: The course is targeted toward students who have an interest in pursuing their degree in the area of vision research; however, students with interests in other areas might also find it useful. Students will acquire an understanding of the basic information related to vision science, which will position them to read the literature critically and to develop critical thinking skills regarding vision research.  

Registration for this course begins November 7th. Classes will be held on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and will run from January 9, 2012 to May 1, 2012.

Students will attend lectures presented by MCG Vision Discovery Institute faculty, as well as attend the Vision Discovery Institute Group Meetings (DIGM) and the Distinguished Seminar Series . During this semester, the VDI will hold its 4th Annual Scientific Retreat on March 15 - 16, 2012 with Keith Green Lecturer, Dr. John Dowling, presenting on March 16th. Dr. Dowling is the Gordon and Llura Gund Professor of Neuroscience, Ophthalmology, and Molecular and Cellular Biology at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.

Current Topics in Vision Science (ANAT 8040):

Course description: This course, which is offered each fall semester, will offer students an opportunity to familiarize themselves with recent discoveries in vision research and ophthalmic diseases. The forums for interaction and learning include: formal journal clubs, Ophthalmology Grand Rounds, the Vision Discovery Institute (VDI) seminar series, and VDI monthly group meetings. The course will include interactive discussions of recently published vision science papers and current research activities being pursued by the enrolled students. Students will develop their skills in reading the vision research literature critically and in effective presentations of scientific and clinical information. This course is team-taught by GHSU Vision Discovery Institute faculty.

Goals of the course: This course is targeted towards students who have an interest in pursuing their degree in the area of vision research. Students will read the scientific literature related to vision research critically, they will develop critical thinking skills regarding their own projects related to vision research. They will learn about specific vision-related diseases through their attendance at Ophthalmology Grand Rounds and they will become familiar with cutting edge research through their attendance at the distinguished seminar series of the Vision Discovery Institute.

Classes are held on Monday and Tuesday afternoons from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Visual Neuroscience (ANAT 8060)

Course description: This course will cover current topics of advanced research in visual information processing. It will focus on a thematic area of research, including, but not limited to neurological deficits in vision, visual prostheses, 3-D vision, color vision, developmental disorders of vision, commercial aspects of vision, etc. Students will read relevant literature critically and present to fellow students under faculty guidance. This course will be team-taught by GHSU Vision Discovery Institute faculty.

Goals of the course: Students will acquire an understanding of the fundamentals related to the central visual pathways, including the processing within the lateral geniculate nucleus, and processing within the visual cortex. Other visual pathways will also be discussed. The tools used to measure these activities will be discussed as well as the research methods, including modeling, used to understand visual processing. Clinical relevance will be emphasized throughout.

This course will be offered for the Spring 2013 term. Classes will begin January 7, 2013 and will be held on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3:00 - 5:00 PM.

 

Mission: The mission of the Vision Discovery Institute is to engage in high impact research and discovery related to visual function and disease the outcome of which is expected to have far-reaching clinical applications for patients suffering from blindness and visual disorders.