Optometry

University of California, Berkeley

This is an archived copy of the 2017-18 guide. To access the most recent version of the guide, please visit http://guide.berkeley.edu.

About the Program

Optometrists provide primary vision care, including comprehensive eye examinations and the diagnosis, treatment, and management of most eye conditions and diseases. To prepare you as a professional capable of meeting this broad scope of responsibilities, the curriculum at Berkeley Optometry is designed to provide first-rate clinical training as well as instruction in the science of vision.

Our world-class faculty offer comprehensive clinical training enhanced by cutting-edge education in vision science. They will prepare you to meet the challenges of expanding primary eye care. You will acquire knowledge of cell and molecular biology, pharmacology, genetics, epidemiology of eye disorders, and state-of-the-art clinical technology. You will also have training in all clinical areas, including primary care and specialties such as binocular disorders, contact lenses, low vision, ocular disease, geriatrics, pediatrics, and refractive surgery.

The Clinics

Berkeley Optometry operates its teaching clinics on a twelve-month basis. Our students have progressively more clinical training and responsibility as they advance through the four-year degree program. Third-year students spend about half their time in clinic, while fourth-year students spend virtually all their time in clinic.

One key element in the Berkeley Optometry program is the provision of in-depth clinical experience in a variety of settings. Our intensive-training clinics (On-Campus Clinics, Off-Campus Externship Clinics, and Community Outreach Clinics) offer services to populations associated with our Berkeley Optometry clinics or affiliated clinics around the country and the world.

The Meredith Morgan Eye Center provides comprehensive eye care to members of the Berkeley campus and the local community. There are more than 80,000 patient visits each year for which our faculty and students provide a full range of services from primary eye care to the diagnosis and management of vision problems caused by diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetes. All students also participate in external clinical rotations. At the end of the four-year OD Program, each student will have, on average, examined 2,500 patients.

The Curriculum

Berkeley Optometry makes a major contribution to the field of health care by training skilled practitioners through a curriculum that is continuously updated to reflect the latest in research and clinical training. We are dedicated to keeping pace with the expanding field of optometry and the profession's move toward a more extensive health science model of primary care.

As you look through the course descriptions in our curriculum, you will see the depth and range of study and training offered by our Optometry program. One exciting and effective approach is introducing our students to clinical education from the first day.

For example, OPTOM 200A (Clinical Examination of the Visual System; fall semester) is taught in the first semester of the program, when you will learn how to take case histories, perform preliminary examinations of the eye, and measure refractive error. By the spring of your first year, OPTOM 200B (Clinical Examination of the Visual System; spring semester) will introduce you to advanced examination techniques. These clinical procedures will be complemented by course work in biology, optics, and pharmacology. We have found that this early introduction to the clinical examination, combined with basic science courses, makes the learning of optometry interesting and relevant. Please look at our curriculum and see for yourself how we integrate clinical and basic science from the beginning.

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Admissions

Admission to the Doctor of Optometry (OD) Program

Note: Applicants for optometric study in the United States and Puerto Rico use a common application service, OptomCAS. By utilizing a common application service, prospective students file one application that can be sent to multiple schools and colleges of optometry. The Admissions and Student Affairs Office is thrilled to be a participant OptomCAS school as we strive to make the application process more efficient and convenient for you.

More information can be found here: www.optomcas.org

To be considered for admission to the School of Optometry in full-time regular status, you must meet the Application Requirements. More detailed information can be found on our website

Doctoral Degree Requirements

Curriculum by Year (OD Program)

First-Year Curriculum (38.5 units)

Fall
Clinical Examination of the Visual System
Clinical Examination of the Visual System
Supervised Independent Study
Geometric Optics
Visual Perception Sensitivity
Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye
Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of the Eye and Visual System
Spring
Clinical Examination of the Visual System
Clinical Examination of the Visual System
Optics of Ophthalmic Lenses
Optical System and Physical Optics
Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye and Visual System
Oculomotor Functions and Neurology
Binocular Vision and Space Perception

Second-Year Curriculum (34 units)

Fall
Clinical Examination of the Visual System
Clinical Examination of the Visual System
Evidence Based Optometry
Advanced Clinical Optics
Systemic Pharmacology
Systemic Disease and its Ocular Manifestations
Eyecare Business and Professional Management I
Visual System Development
Spring
Clinical Examination of the Visual System
Clinical Examination of the Visual System
Ocular Pharmacology
Systemic Disease and its Ocular Manifestations
Diagnosis and Treatment of Sensory/Motor Anomalies
Contact Lenses: Examination Principles and Practice
Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye and Visual System

Third-Year Curriculum (45.5 units)

Summer
Optometry Clinics
Introduction to Clinical Topics for the New Clinician
Fall
Advanced Management and Rehabilitation of Sensory/Motor Anomalies
Diagnosis and Treatment of Anterior Segment Ocular Disease
Low Vision
Optometry Clinics
Advanced Procedures in Ocular Disease Diagnosis
Spring
Diagnosis and Treatment of Posterior Segment Ocular Disease
Eyecare Business and Professional Management II
Optometry Clinics

Fourth-Year Curriculum (46 units)

Summer
Advanced Optometry Clinic
Specialty Clinics
Fall
Advanced Optometry Clinic
Specialty Clinics
Grand Rounds and Seminar
Spring
Advanced Optometry Clinic
Specialty Clinics
Grand Rounds and Seminar

Courses

Optometry

OPTOM 200A Clinical Examination of the Visual System 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
Fundamentals of the optometric examination. Case history, visual acuities, objective and subjective methods of determining refractive status. Basic examination of anterior ocular structures and the ocular fundus; perimetry.

Clinical Examination of the Visual System: Read More [+]

OPTOM 200AL Clinical Examination of the Visual System 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
Fundamentals of the optometric examination. Case history, visual acuities, objective and subjective methods of determining refractive status. Basic examination of anterior ocular structures and the ocular funds; perimetry.

Clinical Examination of the Visual System: Read More [+]

OPTOM 200B Clinical Examination of the Visual System 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2014
Classification and epidemiology of refractive errors, evaluation of accommodative and binocular status. Tonometry, advanced techniques of examining the posterior pole, evaluation of visual pathway function.

Clinical Examination of the Visual System: Read More [+]

OPTOM 200BL Clinical Examination of the Visual System 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Classification and epidemiology of refractive errors, evaluation of accommodative and binocular status. Tonometry, advanced techniques of examining the posterior pole, evaluation of visual pathway function.

Clinical Examination of the Visual System: Read More [+]

OPTOM 200C Clinical Examination of the Visual System 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
Case analysis of refractive, accommodative, and binocular anomalies. Pediatric examination techniques. Advanced methods of examining the peripheral ocular fundus; anterior chamber angle evaluation.

Clinical Examination of the Visual System: Read More [+]

OPTOM 200CL Clinical Examination of the Visual System 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
Case analysis of refractive, accommodative, and binocular anomalies. Pediatric examination techniques. Advanced methods of examining the peripheral ocular funds; anterior angle evaluation.

Clinical Examination of the Visual System: Read More [+]

OPTOM 200D Clinical Examination of the Visual System 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Modification of the exam sequence for specific patient needs. Evaluation and management of tear film disorders; analysis of vision with cataract. Patient management and professional communications; legal and ethical issues; managed care and optometry.

Clinical Examination of the Visual System: Read More [+]

OPTOM 200DL Clinical Examination of the Visual System 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Modification of the exam sequence for specific patient needs. Evaluation and management of tear film disorders; analysis of vision with cataract. Patient management and professional communications; legal and ethical issues; managed care and optometry.

Clinical Examination of the Visual System: Read More [+]

OPTOM 213 Evidence Based Optometry 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Spring 2014
Basic concepts in evidence based optometry including various clincal study designs, potential sources of bias in each design as well as development of a systematic approach to evaluate strength of evidence from published studies, to identify potential limitations and develop appreciation for the importane of evidence based practice as a practice philosphy.

Evidence Based Optometry: Read More [+]

OPTOM 222A Optics of Ophthalmic Lenses 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Fall 2014
Optical and physical characteristics of ophthalmic lenses, to include spheric and aspherical surface of single and multifocal lens designs, and ophthalmic prisms. Lens power measurement methods, lens thickness power relationships and considerations in designing prescription eyewear. Characteristics of absorptive lenses, ophthalmic coatings, lens materials, and their role in ocular protection.

Optics of Ophthalmic Lenses: Read More [+]

OPTOM 222B Advanced Clinical Optics 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Spring 2015, Fall 2014
Ophthalmic lens aberrations and minimization. Ophthalmic lens designs relating to anisometropia, aniseikonia, and high refractive errors. Optics of the eye, contact lens optics, and optical principles of low vision aids. Environmental vision and related ophthalmic standards.

Advanced Clinical Optics: Read More [+]

OPTOM 226A Systemic Pharmacology 2.5 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
Basic pharmacology, terminology, and concepts (both pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic) and pharmacotheraphy of medical conditions commonly encountered in clinical optometric practice (including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, infection and inflammatory conditions, as well as central nervous system disorders).

Systemic Pharmacology: Read More [+]

OPTOM 226B Ocular Pharmacology 2.5 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Basic pharmacology, terminology, and concepts (both pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic) as applied to the eye and ophthalmic drugs, clinical prescribing issues including formulation, dosing and prescribing, and pharmacotherapy of anti-inflammatory, centrally acting, hormonal and other "specialist" systemic drugs.

Ocular Pharmacology: Read More [+]

OPTOM 230A Graduate General Clinical Practice 2 - 6 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
General optometric practice for four hours per week per credit hour, including optometric examination, dispensing, consultation, and subsequent vision care of patients, performed independently by graduate student clinicians.

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OPTOM 230B Graduate General Clinical Practice 2 - 6 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
General optometric practice for four hours per week per credit hour, including optometric examination, dispensing, consultation, and subsequent vision care of patients, performed independently by graduate student clinicians.

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OPTOM 231A Graduate Specialty Clinics 2 - 8 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
Clinical examination of patients in designated specialty clinics. More than one clinical specialty may be taken simultaneously.

Graduate Specialty Clinics: Read More [+]

OPTOM 231B Graduate Specialty Clinics 2 - 8 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Clinical examination of patients in designated specialty clinics. More than one clinical specialty may be taken simultaneously.

Graduate Specialty Clinics: Read More [+]

OPTOM 236A Systemic Disease and its Ocular Manifestations 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
The pathophysiology, pharmacotherapy, and clinical management of systemic and ocular diseases will be discussed through a combination of lecture and problem-based learning approaches. Disease processes will be emphasized and include cellular injury and repair, inflammation, infection, degeneration, and neoplasia. Neurologic, cardiovascular, endocrine, pulmonary, and congenital disease and their relative ocular manifestations will be presented.

Systemic Disease and its Ocular Manifestations: Read More [+]

OPTOM 236B Systemic Disease and its Ocular Manifestations 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
The pathophysiology, pharmacotherapy, and clinical management of systemic and ocular diseases will be discussed through a combination of lecture and problem-based learning approaches. Disease processes will be emphasized and include cellular injury and repair, inflammation, infection, degeneration, and neoplasia. Neurologic, cardiovascular, endocrine, pulmonary, and congenital disease and their relative ocular manifestations will be pres
ented.
Systemic Disease and its Ocular Manifestations: Read More [+]

OPTOM 240 Diagnosis and Treatment of Sensory/Motor Anomalies 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Diagnosis and treatment of heterophoria, accommodative, vergence and oculomotor anomalies including sensory anomalies and amblyopia. Rationale and methods for treatment with lenses, prism, occlusion, and vision training. Design and implementation of treatment programs.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Sensory/Motor Anomalies: Read More [+]

OPTOM 241 Advanced Management and Rehabilitation of Sensory/Motor Anomalies 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
Advanced diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of strabismus, neurologic oculomotor disorders, amblyopia, and other associated sensory anomalies. Assessment and management of developmental and acquired visual perceptual disorders in relationship to learning disabilities. Design and implementation of treatment programs.

Advanced Management and Rehabilitation of Sensory/Motor Anomalies: Read More [+]

OPTOM 246 Diagnosis and Treatment of Anterior Segment Ocular Disease 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
This course series consists of the pathophysiology, pharmacotherapy, and clinical management of systemic and ocular diseases through a combination of lecture and problem-based learning approaches. Disease processes will be emphasized and include cellular injury and repair, inflammation, infection, degeneration, and neoplasia. Neurologic, cardiovascular, endocrine, pulmonary, and congenital disease, and their relative ocular manifestations will
be presented. The basic principles of pharmacology will be followed by overviews of drugs used to treat diseases of each system. The role of the optometrist in the health care system will be emphasized.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Anterior Segment Ocular Disease: Read More [+]

OPTOM 251 Low Vision 2.5 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
Epidemiology and etiology of low vision. Optical principles of low vision aids. Optometric examination and treatment of the low vision patient. Interdisciplinary rehabilitation resources, counseling, and referral.

Low Vision: Read More [+]

OPTOM 256 Diagnosis and Treatment of Posterior Segment Ocular Disease 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
This course series consists of the pathophysiology, pharmacotherapy, and clinical management of systemic and ocular diseases through a combination of lecture and problem-based learning approaches. Disease processes will be emphasized and include cellular injury and repair, inflammation, infection, degeneration, and neoplasia. Neurologic, cardiovascular, endocrine, pulmonary, and congenital disease and their relative ocular manifestations
will be presented. The basic principles of pharmacology will be followed by overviews of drugs used to treat diseases of each system. The role of the optometrist in the health care system will be emphasized.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Posterior Segment Ocular Disease: Read More [+]

OPTOM 260A Contact Lenses: Examination Principles and Practice 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Examination procedures and instrumentation used in monitoring the ocular response to contact lenses. Contact lens inspection, care, and handling. Physical and optical properties of contact lenses. Fitting contact lenses to the human eye, clinical implications. The Sarver Lecture series in Contact Lenses (12 hours on a Saturday and Sunday.)

Contact Lenses: Examination Principles and Practice: Read More [+]

OPTOM 270B Eyecare Business and Professional Management I 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
A review of the optometric profession and its opportunities. Debt management, goal setting, professional practice operations including accounting and finance, patient communications, fee calculation, scheduling, office systems flow and operations. Professional ethics, malpractice, and microeconomics as it affects the practice of optometry.

Eyecare Business and Professional Management I: Read More [+]

OPTOM 270C Eyecare Business and Professional Management II 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Entrepreneurship, financing alternatives, business loans, human resources, marketing, personal finance, business law as it affects optometry.

Eyecare Business and Professional Management II: Read More [+]

OPTOM 281A Graduate Clinical Rounds 1 - 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
Presentation and discussion of the diagnosis, etiology, prognosis, and treatment of selected clinical cases.

Graduate Clinical Rounds: Read More [+]

OPTOM 281B Graduate Clinical Rounds 1 - 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Presentation and discussion of the diagnosis, etiology, prognosis, and treatment of selected clinical cases.

Graduate Clinical Rounds: Read More [+]

OPTOM 291A Optometry Research Project 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
Thesis research for optometry students. Presentation of research results.

Optometry Research Project: Read More [+]

OPTOM 291B Optometry Research Project 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Thesis research for optometry students. Presentation of research results.

Optometry Research Project: Read More [+]

OPTOM 292A Graduate Optometry Seminar 1 - 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
Graduate seminars on selected topics in clinical optometry.

Graduate Optometry Seminar: Read More [+]

OPTOM 292B Graduate Optometry Seminar 1 - 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Graduate seminars on selected topics in clinical optometry.

Graduate Optometry Seminar: Read More [+]

OPTOM 298A Independent or Group Studies 1 - 6 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
Directed studies on a selected topic(s) within optometry.

Independent or Group Studies: Read More [+]

OPTOM 298B Independent or Group Studies 1 - 6 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Directed studies on a selected topic(s) within optometry.

Independent or Group Studies: Read More [+]

OPTOM 299A Graduate Optometry Research 2 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
Directed research on a selected topic within clinical optometry.

Graduate Optometry Research: Read More [+]

OPTOM 299B Graduate Optometry Research 2 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Directed research on a selected topic within clinical optometry.

Graduate Optometry Research: Read More [+]

OPTOM 430A Optometry Clinics 4 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2017 First 6 Week Session, Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2016 Second 6 Week Session
Clinical practice in examination techniques and interpretation of clinical data. Primary care optometric exams.

Optometry Clinics: Read More [+]

OPTOM 430B Optometry Clinics 9 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
Examination of patients in a primary care setting, prescribing of optometric therapy, management of emergency procedures, and vision screenings of children and adults.

Optometry Clinics: Read More [+]

OPTOM 430C Optometry Clinics 9 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Examination of patients in a primary care setting, prescribing of optometric therapy, management of emergency procedures, and vision screenings of children and adults.

Optometry Clinics: Read More [+]

OPTOM 432 Introduction to Clinical Topics for the New Clinician 2 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2017 10 Week Session
This course emphasizes ocular conditions and diseases that are commonly encountered during patient care. The goal is to improve observational skills for new clinicians by presenting clinical information in a Grand Rounds format and to increase efficiency for comprehensive eye examinations by outlining alternative strategies for examining patients and analyzing clinical data.

Introduction to Clinical Topics for the New Clinician: Read More [+]

OPTOM 435 Advanced Procedures in Ocular Disease Diagnosis 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
Instrumentation, techniques, and principles for examination, diagnosis, and treatment of ocular disease. Introduction to optometric informatics related to ocular disease.

Advanced Procedures in Ocular Disease Diagnosis: Read More [+]

OPTOM 440A Advanced Optometry Clinic 2.5 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2017 First 6 Week Session, Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2016 Second 6 Week Session
Optometric examination of patients in the primary care clinic performed independently by student clinicians under supervision of the clinical staff.

Advanced Optometry Clinic: Read More [+]

OPTOM 440B Advanced Optometry Clinic 9 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
Examination of patients in a primary care setting. Diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, patient management and follow-up.

Advanced Optometry Clinic: Read More [+]

OPTOM 440C Advanced Optometry Clinic 9 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Examination of patients in a primary care setting. Diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, patient management and follow-up.

Advanced Optometry Clinic: Read More [+]

OPTOM 441A Specialty Clinics 2.5 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2017 First 6 Week Session, Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2016 Second 6 Week Session
Examination, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and management of patients in the specialty clinics.

Specialty Clinics: Read More [+]

OPTOM 441B Specialty Clinics 7 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
Examination, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and/or management of patients in specialty clinics; ocular disease, contact lenses, binocular vision, ophthalmic optics, and environmental and occupational vision.

Specialty Clinics: Read More [+]

OPTOM 441C Specialty Clinics 7 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Examination, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and/or management of patients in specialty clinics; ocular disease, contact lenses, binocular vision, ophthalmic optics, and environmental and occupational vision.

Specialty Clinics: Read More [+]

OPTOM 450A Grand Rounds and Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
Presentation of clinical cases demonstrating basic and advanced optometric care, including diagnosis, treatment, and patient management.

Grand Rounds and Seminar: Read More [+]

OPTOM 450B Grand Rounds and Seminar 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Presentation of clinical cases demonstrating basic and advanced optometric care, including diagnosis, treatment, and patient management.

Grand Rounds and Seminar: Read More [+]

OPTOM 452 Current Concepts in Ocular Disease 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Recent advances in the detection, diagnosis, and management of ocular disease.

Current Concepts in Ocular Disease: Read More [+]

OPTOM 490A Optometric Spanish - Beginner Level I 1 Unit

Terms offered: Prior to 2007
This course provides an introduction to Spanish in its uses in a clinical optometry setting with the Spanish-speaking patient. Basic vocabulary and grammar acquisition and skill building exercises will help the practitioner perform conversations and procedures in simple but accurate and clear communications. The sounds and structures of Spanish, including the present tense and some other verbs will be covered. All materials will be taught and practiced in relation
to their practical application in a clinical setting.
Optometric Spanish - Beginner Level I: Read More [+]

OPTOM 490B Optometric Spanish - Intermediate Level II 1 Unit

Terms offered: Summer 2008 10 Week Session
This course provides vocabulary and grammar acquisition and skill building for the intermediate to advanced Spanish student who works with Spanish-speaking patients in the field of optometry. Emphasis is on practical, hands-on application of the materials: patient interviewing, doing various aspects of the eye exam, taking a history, and giving diagnostic, treatment, and follow-through information to the patient, with appropriate cultural sensitivity
, taking into consideration the socio-cultural background of the patient. The goal is accurate and sophisticated communication.
Optometric Spanish - Intermediate Level II: Read More [+]

OPTOM 499 Supervised Independent Study 1 - 12 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
Independent study under control of Associate Dean for Student Affairs.

Supervised Independent Study: Read More [+]

Vision Science

VIS SCI 24 Freshman Seminars 1 Unit

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
The Freshman Seminar Program has been designed to provide new students with the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member in a small-seminar setting. Freshman seminars are offered in all campus departments, and topics vary from department to department and semester to semester. Enrollment limited to 15 freshmen.

Freshman Seminars: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 39 Freshman and Sophomore Seminar 1.5 - 3 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
Freshman and sophomore seminars offer lower division students the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member and a group of peers in a small seminar setting. These seminars are offered in all campus departments; topics vary from department to department and from semester to semester. Enrollment limits are set by the faculty but the suggested limit is 25.

Freshman and Sophomore Seminar: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 84 Sophomore Seminar 1 or 2 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
Sophomore seminars are small interactive courses offered by faculty members in departments all across the campus. Sophomore seminars offer opportunity for close, regular intellectual contact between faculty members and students in the crucial second year. The topics vary from department to department and semester to semester. Enrollment limited to 15 sophomores.

Sophomore Seminar: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 199 Supervised Independent Study and Research 1 - 4 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
Supervised independent study and research. Enrollment restrictions apply; see the Introduction to Courses and Curricula section of this catalog.

Supervised Independent Study and Research: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 201A Seminar in Vision Science 2 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
Graduate seminar in vision science.

Seminar in Vision Science: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 201B Seminar in Vision Science 2 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Graduate seminar in vision science.

Seminar in Vision Science: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 203A Geometric Optics 4 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Fall 2016, Fall 2015, Fall 2014
Geometrical methods applied to the optics of lenses, mirrors, and prisms. Thin lens eye models, magnification, astigmatism, prism properties of lenses, thick lenses.

Geometric Optics: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 203B Optical System and Physical Optics 4 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2014
Principles of optical systems, principles and clinical applications of aperatures and stops, aberrations and optical instruments. Optics of the eye. Selected topics in physical optics, diffraction, interference, polarization.

Optical System and Physical Optics: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 205 Visual Perception Sensitivity 4.5 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Fall 2016, Fall 2015, Fall 2014
Psychophysical basis for clinical tests in acuity, perimetry, and color vision. The visual stimulus and photometry. Visual receptors. Psychophysical method and visual threshold. Light sensitivity. Contrast sensitivity. Light and dark adaptation. Temporal and spatial properties of visual function. Color vision and abnormalities. Changes with age and disease. Visual illusion. Basis for advanced diagnostic procedur
es.
Visual Perception Sensitivity: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 206A Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye 2 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
This course focuses on the anatomy and physiology of the eyeball. Overview of the gross anatomy of the eye followed by eye-relevant cellular and molecular biology. Cellular and molecular details of structure and function of each of the various non-neural components.

Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 206B Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye and Visual System 3 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Structure and function of the tissues of the eye, ocular appendages, and the central visual pathways. Basic concepts of physiological, neurological, embryological, and immunological processes as they relate to the eye and vision. Foster an appreciation of the pathophysiology of various disease processes. Convey the importance of anatomy and physiology in the medical approach to ocular disease processes.

Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye and Visual System: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 206C Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye and Visual System 2 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Problem-based learning approach using clinical case examples. Continuation of 206A-206B.

Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye and Visual System: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 206D Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of the Eye and Visual System 2 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
Structure and function of the neurosensory retina, photoreceptors, RPE including blood supply. Current concepts of etiology and management of major retinal conditions. Overview of diagnostic techniques in retinal imaging, electrophysiologic testing and new genetic approaches. Structure and function of the early visual pathway including retinal ganglion cells, optic nerves, lateral geniculate nucleus and visual cortex.
Pupillary responses. Specialization in the visual cortex.
Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of the Eye and Visual System: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 212E Color Vision and Visual Sensitivity 2 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Introduction for graduate students to sensory aspects of light and color vision including: psychophysical methods, spectral response of the eye, mechanisms of sensitivity control, dark adaptation, color discrimination, mechanisms of normal and defective color vision.

Color Vision and Visual Sensitivity: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 212F Spatial and Binocular Vision, Eye Movements, and Motion Perception 2 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Introduction for graduate students to human spatial vision including contrast sensitivity, visual acuity, and spatial localization. Introduction to eye movements, motion perception, and motor and sensory aspects of binocular vision including pursuit, vergence, and saccadic eye movements, accommodation, stereopsis, and binocular space perception. Perception of real and apparent motion.

Spatial and Binocular Vision, Eye Movements, and Motion Perception: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 212G Molecular Genetics of Vertebrate Eye Development and Diseases 2 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
The primary focus of this course is to teach the molecular basis of vertebrate eye development and related disease. This course will cover some of the basic principles of molecular and cell biology, commonly used techniques and experimental approaches, as well as the biological mechanisms for vertebrate eye development and related eye diseases. Recent progress in identifying important ocular genes and the approaches
used to identify them will be discussed.
Molecular Genetics of Vertebrate Eye Development and Diseases: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 215 Visual System Development 2 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013
Development of the eye and visual system. Normal development of the eye, retina, and central visual pathways. Effects of visual deprivation. Assessment of optical and visual function in human infants. Refraction and refractive error in infants and children. Development of visuomotor function, spatial vision, color vision, binocular vision, and depth perception.

Visual System Development: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 217 Oculomotor Functions and Neurology 2 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2014
Neuro-anatomical pathways for the control of eye position and movement; gaze holding, image stabilization and tracking eye movement systems; oculomotor signs of disorders of the central nervous system (palsies, nystagmus, opthalmoplegia, cog-wheel pursuits, saccadic dysmetria); the near visual-motor response and the synergistic coupling of accommodation and convergence; binocular misalignment (heterophoria
and fixation disparity); and presbyopia.
Oculomotor Functions and Neurology: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 219 Binocular Vision and Space Perception 2 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2014
Perception of space, direction, and distance. Binocular retinal correspondence, horopters, differential magnification effects and anomalies of binocular vision development. Sensory vision, local stereopsis, static and dynamic stereopsis, binocular depth cues.

Binocular Vision and Space Perception: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 230 Ethics in Scientific Research 2 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
This seminar will examine a range of ethical issues that arise in the process of doing science. Beginning with the philosophical and social foundations, we will consider the pathogenesis of fraud, statistics and deception, the ethics of authorship and publication, research with human subjects, the use of animals, the definition(s) of misconduct and the difference between misconduct and questionable research
practices, the relationship between industry and science, and finally, the responsibilities and obligations of the scientist in society.
Ethics in Scientific Research: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 260A Optical and Neural Limits to Vision 3 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017
The course will provide an overview of the early stage limits to human vision, from the eye’s optics to sampling and processing in the retina. Students will learn basic optical properties of the eye as well as objective and subjective techniques on how to measure limits of human vision. The class will comprise a combination of lectures and active learning by the students in the form of a project, to be presented at the end
of the semester. This is one of the four courses that form the Vision Science core curriculum.
Optical and Neural Limits to Vision: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 260B Introduction to Ocular Biology 3 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017
The course will provide an overview of eye development, anterior eye ocular anatomy and physiology and ocular disease. The course will be a combination of didactic lectures and problem-based learning. This is one of the four courses that form the Vision Science core curriculum.

Introduction to Ocular Biology: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 260C Introduction to Visual Neuroscience 3 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Spring 2018
The course will provide an overview of the neuroscience of vision, spanning the entire neural pathway from retinal neurobiology to cortical processing of visual signals. The class will comprise a combination of lectures and active learning by the students in the form of a project, to be presented at the end of the semester. This is one of the four courses that form the Vision Science core curriculum.

Introduction to Visual Neuroscience: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 260D Seeing in Time, Space and Color 3 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Spring 2018
The course will provide an overview of how we see in time (temporal signal processing, eye motion, motion detection), space (stereo vision, depth perception), and color as well as the anatomical and physiological factors that facilitate these capabilities. The course will be series of didactic lectures. This is one of the four courses that form the Vision Science core curriculum

Seeing in Time, Space and Color: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 262 Visual Cognitive Neuroscience 3 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
The course will provide an overview of visual cognitive neuroscience, drawing from neuroanatomy, neurophysiology in humans and animal models, psychophysics, neuroimaging, neuropharmacology, neuropsychology, and computational models of vision and cognition. Topics will include basic anatomy and physiology of the mammalian visual system, motion perception and processing, depth perception and representation of visual
space, brightness and color, object and face recognition, visual attention, developmental and adult plasticity, perceptual learning, multisensory integration, and visual awareness.
Visual Cognitive Neuroscience: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 265 Neural Computation 3 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Fall 2016, Fall 2015, Fall 2014
This course provides an introduction to the theory of neural computation. The goal is to familiarize students with the major theoretical frameworks and models used in neuroscience and psychology, and to provide hands-on experience in using these models. Topics include neural network models, supervised and unsupervised learning rules, associative memory models, probabilistic/graphical models, and models of neural
coding in the brain.
Neural Computation: Read More [+]

VIS SCI C265 Neural Computation 3 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Prior to 2007
This course provides an introduction to the theory of neural computation. The goal is to familiarize students with the major theoretical frameworks and models used in neuroscience and psychology, and to provide hands-on experience in using these models. Topics include neural network models, supervised and unsupervised learning rules, associative memory models, probabilistic/graphical models, and models of neural coding in the bra
in.
Neural Computation: Read More [+]

VIS SCI C280 Computer Vision 3 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Paradigms for computational vision. Relation to human visual perception. Mathematical techniques for representing and reasoning, with curves, surfaces and volumes. Illumination and reflectance models. Color perception. Image segmentation and aggregation. Methods for bottom-up three dimensional shape recovery: Line drawing analysis, stereo, shading, motion, texture. Use of object models for prediction and r
ecognition.
Computer Vision: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 298 Group Studies, Seminars, or Group Research 1 - 6 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
Group studies of selected topics. Advanced studies in various subjects through special seminars on topics to be selected each year, informal groups studying special problems, group participation in experimental problems and analysis.

Group Studies, Seminars, or Group Research: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 299 Research in Vision Science 1 - 12 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Fall 2018, Summer 2018 Second 6 Week Session, Spring 2018
Research.

Research in Vision Science: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 300 Teaching Methods in Vision Science 1 Unit

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
Instruction in teaching methods and materials, in vision science and optometry; practice teaching in classrooms and laboratory.

Teaching Methods in Vision Science: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 601 Individual Study for Master's Students 1 - 6 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Individual study for the comprehensive requirements in consultation with the adviser in vision science.

Individual Study for Master's Students: Read More [+]

VIS SCI 602 Individual Study for Doctoral Students 1 - 6 Units

Offered through: Optometry
Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
Individual study in consultation with the adviser in vision science, intended to provide an opportunity for qualified students to prepare themselves for the various examinations required for the Ph. D.

Individual Study for Doctoral Students: Read More [+]

Faculty

Dean

John G. Flangan, Dean.

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Gunilla Haegerstrom-Portnoy, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs

Christina S. Wilmer, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs.

Associate Dean for Student Affairs

Richard C. Van Sluyters, Associate Dean for Student Affairs.

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

Sharon T. Joyce, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.

Assistant Dean, Development and Alumni Relations

Kristen C. Williams, Assistant Dean, Development and Alumni Relations.

Assistant Dean, Administration and Finance

Eric Leal, Assistant Dean, Administration and Finance.

Director of Affiliated Residency Programs

Christina S. Wilmer, Director of Affiliated Residency Programs.

Director of Residencies: On-Campus Programs

Kuniyoshi Kanai, Director of Residencies: On-Campus Programs.

Chair Graduate Group Vision Science

Karsten Gronert, Chair Graduate Group Vision Science.

Professors

Martin S. Banks, Professor.

Lu Chen, Professor.

Susana T.L. Chung, Professor.

John G. Flannery, Professor.

Suzanne M. J. Fleiszig, Professor.

Xiaohua Gong, Professor.

Karsten Gronert, Professor.

Gunilla Haegerstrom-Portnoy, Professor.

Stanley A. Klein, Professor.

Dennis M. Levi, Professor.

Bruno A. Olshausen, Professor.

Austin J. Roorda, Professor.

Richard C. Van Sluyters, Professor.

Christine F. Wildsoet, Professor.

Associate Professors

Michael A. Silver, Associate Professor.

Professors of Clinical Optometry

Deborah A. Orel-Bixler, Professor of Clinical Optometry.

Wayne A. Verdon, Professor of Clinical Optometry.

Associate Professors of Clinical Optometry

Meng C. Lin, Associate Professor of Clinical Optometry.

Nancy A. McNamara, Associate Professor of Clinical Optometry.

Assistant Professor of Clinical Optometry

Yue Liu, Assistant Professor of Clinical Optometry. 

Affiliated Professors

Brian Barsky, Affiliated Professor.

Eugene Switkes, Affiliated Professor.

Clinical Professors

Shirin Barez, Clinical Professor.

Dennis S. Burger, Clinical Professor.

Thomas M. Callan, Clinical Professor.

Stephen R. Chun, Clinical Professor.

John C. Corzine, Associate Clinical Professor.

Robert E. Dister, Clinical Professor.

Bernard J. Dolan, Clinical Professor.

Patsy L. Harvey, Clinical Professor.

Craig K. Hisaka, Clinical Professor.

Pia Hoenig, Clinical Professor.

Carl H. Jacobsen, Clinical Professor.

Donald R. Korb, Clinical Professor.

Anne Mika Moy, Clinical Professor.

Edward J. Revelli, Clinical Professor.

A. Lee Scaief, Clinical Professor.

Christina S. Wilmer, Clinical Professor.

David N. Yang, Clinical Professor.

Associate Clinical Professors

Charles Bailey, Associate Clinical Professor.

Frank G Balestrery, Associate Clinical Professor.

Darlene T. Fong, Associate Clinical Professor.

Maziar Haririfar, O.D., Associate Clinical Professor.

Jeffrey Ko, Associate Clinical Professor.

George K. Lee, Associate Clinical Professor.

Andrew B. Mick, Associate Clinical Professor.

Glen Ozawa, Associate Clinical Professor.

Meredith Whiteside, Associate Clinical Professor.

Diane H. Williams, Associate Clinical Professor.

Barry C. Winston, Associate Clinical Professor.

Vikki Yu, Associate Clinical Professor.

Assistant Clinical Professors

Yin Yin Aung, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Karen Chester, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Marlena A Chu, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Jorge Anthony Cuadros , Assistant Clinical Professor.

Sarah N G Fisher, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Dennis W. Fong, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Sara L Frane, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Cheslyn M. Gan, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Kenneth S Gee, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Harry Green, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Daniel Harvitt, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Michelle J. Hoff, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Cheyenne Chinea Huber, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Kuniyoshi Kanai, Assistant Clinical Professor. 

Isabel Kazemi, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Nicholas G Kerry, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Cindy Yumi Sakai Kim, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Jennine Kirby, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Linh Le, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Debora Lee, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Taras Litvin, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Kenneth N. Lowe, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Melanie Louise Mason, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Allison McClellan, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Anousheh Mortazavi, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Matthew Alan Rhodes, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Vicki Rich, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Thomas R Rowley, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Claudia Cynthia Ruegg, Assistant Clinical Professor.

George Russell, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Jon M. Sakuda, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Nadia Sarah Samii, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Pam Satjawatcharaphong, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Jeffrey Joseph Schultz, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Jennifer Y. Seino, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Todd D Severin, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Mary Ann C. Shui, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Jeremy Ross Shumaker, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Kelvin Tang, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Kathy Tran, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Christina Trifiletti, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Tan Truong, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Lee Q. Vien,  Assistant Clinical Professor.

Caitlin E. Walsh, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Lillian Ing-Ling Wang, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Tonya Watson, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Brian Wolff, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Walter Andrew Wong, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Yu-Tai Wu, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Kerri Kimi Yoshiyama, Assistant Clinical Professor.

Clinical Instructors

Kristin E. Brennan, Clinical Instructor.

Amara V. Callahan, Clinical Instructor.

Alvaro Castillo, Clinical Instructor.

Patrick J. Clark, Clinical Instructor.

Ashley Craven, Clinical Instructor.

Neda Ghanbari, Clinical Instructor.

Geeta Girdher, Clinical Instructor.

David Hicks, Clinical Instructor.

Jeffrey Hiett, Clinical Instructor.

Heather Jones, Clinical Instructor.

Stephanie Joo, Clinical Instructor.

Chang Kim, Clinical Instructor.

Deana E. Lum, Clinical Instructor.

Patty Lynch, Clinical Instructor.

Shreya Mali, Clinical Instructor.

Mario Moreno, Clinical Instructor.

Mary Ann Murphy, Clinical Instructor.

Charlie Ngo, Clinical Instructor.

Marisa A. Perez, Clinical Instructor.

Marla F. Plecha, Clinical Instructor.

Aaron Severson, Clinical Instructor.

Mark Sherstinsky, Clinical Instructor.

Leslie Small, Clinical Instructor.

Susanna M. Tamkins, Clinical Instructor.

Anne Yun Keu Tasaki, Clinical Instructor.

Jacqueline Marie Theis, Clinical Instructor.

Jonathan C. Thomas, Clinical Instructor.

Kevin Tomita, Clinical Instructor.

Melissa A. Valdellon, Clinical Instructor.

Yen-Linh Thi Vu, Clinical Instructor.

Jeremy Walz, Clinical Instructor.

Rob Widerspan, Clinical Instructor.

Professors Emeriti

Anthony J. Adams, Professor Emeritus.

Ian L. Bailey, Professor Emeritus.

Jay M. Enoch, Professor Emeritus.

Ralph D. Freeman, Professor Emeritus.

Robert B. Mandell, Professor Emeritus.

Kenneth A. Polse, Professor Emeritus.

Clifton M. Schor, Professor Emeritus.

Clinical Professors Emeriti

Michael G. Harris, Clinical Professor Emeritus.

Karen L. Walker-Brandreth, Clinical Professor Emeritus.

Gerald Westheimer, Clinical Professor Emeritus.

Contact Information

School of Optometry

Visit School Website

Admissions and Student Affairs Office

380 Minor Hall

Phone: 510-642-9537

Fax: 510-643-7111

http://optometry.berkeley.edu

optometry-admissions@berkeley.edu

Associate Dean for Student Affairs / Head Graduate Adviser

Richard C. Van Sluyters, OD, PhD

Phone: 510-642-9537

rcvs@berkeley.edu

Assistant Dean, Admissions, Student Affairs and Career Services

Sharon T. Joyce

Phone: 510-642-9537

sharon_joyce@berkeley.edu

Director of Admissions and Student Affairs

Heather Iwata

Phone: 510-642-9537

hiwata@berkeley.edu

Coordinator of Admissions and Student Affairs

Kait Guthrie

Phone: 510-642-9537

kait.guthrie@berkeley.edu

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