Course Descriptions

This course introduces the major anatomical and physiological regions of the eye, including the cornea, lens, retina, optic nerve, cranial nerves, and extraocular tissues. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between the eye and other systems. Demonstrations include eye dissection, visual testing, and visual perception experimentation.

This course covers the major pathologies of the eye, including congenital diseases and syndromes, infectious diseases, tumors, and adult-onset degenerations. Coursework emphasizes pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to pathology and also covers examination of the eye, diagnostic features, and management of major eye diseases. Demonstrations include histological sections, OCT, visual field and angiogram, and associated diagnostic criteria.

Students learn concepts and terminologies of immunology, bacteriology, virology, parasitology, and mycology with an emphasis on mechanisms of microbial disease transmission and host defense mechanisms. They also learn the types of organisms responsible for human disease, the mechanisms by which they produce disease, and the application of this knowledge to the treatment of patients. The course integrates the biomedical disciplines of immunology and medical microbiology. It covers infectious and immunological diseases with relevance to the clinical setting and pharmacological approaches. Students gain a basic understanding of infectious microorganism classification and characteristics, the mechanisms by which infectious agents cause disease, and prevention and treatment methods. Topics also include the causes and treatment of immune diseases, along with the concepts of inflammation, sepsis, cell injury, tissue repair, hemodynamic disorders, genetic disorders, environmental and nutritional pathology, immunodeficiency diseases, and autoimmune and metabolic diseases. Throughout the course, students take part in small-group tutorials and interactive clinical correlations based on clinical cases linking basic science concepts to clinical medicine. Tutorials, clinicopathological correlations, and labs emphasize problem-solving skills, integration of knowledge, and independent learning.

This course provides an overview of the influence of genetics in ophthalmology with respect to understanding pathogenic mechanisms of eye diseases, and the development of novel therapeutic strategies. The course offers an introduction to complex and Mendelian genetics, and research strategies to identify disease-associated genetic changes. Topics include hereditary retinal diseases, genetic associations in age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma, genetics of myopia and optic nerve diseases, and mitochondrial disorders affecting the eye. Additional discussions include current gene therapy clinical trials.

This course introduces the basic principles of eye electrophysiology, neural signals, neurotransmitters, and molecular signaling within neurons. Additionally, coursework covers the sensation and sensory systems. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between the eye and other signals and senses.

This course focuses on the principles of geometrical optics and its application to the study and assessment of the visual system. Topics include fundamentals of geometrical optics, principles of optical system components (lenses, mirrors, prisms, and light sources), optics of the eye and vision correction, basic principles of visual optical instruments (loupe, microscopes, and telescopes), and principles and applications of ophthalmic diagnostic and imaging systems (ophthalmoscopes, retinoscopes, slit-lamp, keratometers, corneal topography systems, aberrometer, and optical coherence tomography).

This course provides an introduction to biochemistry with an emphasis on ocular clinical applications. Topics include nutrition, cellular biology, tears biochemistry, conjunctiva, and cornea. Coursework also covers the structure and functions of proteins and enzymes, and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The course uses case studies and journal articles to demonstrate the applications of these principles to ocular health-related issues.

This lab includes experiments related to molecular biology (includes PCR, DNA cloning, hybridization analysis, restriction mapping, and DNA sequence analysis), protein purification and analysis (salt fractionation, ion-exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, SDS-PAGE, and immunoblotting), and determination of enzyme kinetic parameters.

This lab is a companion to the OPH 640 Vision and Optics course. It includes practical, hands-on examples of the application of geometrical optical theory to the design and calculation of optical systems, provides an initial hands-on experience with basic optical system setup on an optical bench and provides basic hands-on training or demonstration of ophthalmic diagnostic techniques and instruments – including refraction, ophthalmoscopy, retinoscopy, slit-lamp examination, aberrometry, corneal topography, and optical coherence tomography.

This lab introduces students to novel clinical recording techniques, electrophysiologic tests, and clinical applications of ERG, EOG, and VEP, emphasizing novel and specialized clinical applications and recordings. The course is divided into two sections. Section one covers the effects of maturation, aging, and testing in infants. Section two focuses on electrophysiologic findings of many clinical conditions and clinical applications of ERG, EOG, and VEP of various eye disorders/diseases.

This course offers seminars on different aspects of medicine – such as the history and evolution of medicine – including a broad-spectrum view of career options. Course topics emphasize how medicine has been developed historically, its efficacy, and the future outlook. For example, antibiotic-resistant bacteria was discovered in 12,000-year-old underground caves – antibiotic resistance is an old problem, and clinicians/researchers should have an outlook bearing that in mind.

The problem-based learning method (PBL) was designed to teach students in small groups to identify specific techniques that will yield the answers to the problems. This course covers the underlying norms and principles that shaped these concepts. The course also includes plenary session presentations by experts on relevant topics and their use in preparing manuscripts, grant applications, and policies regarding the conduct of experiments using these techniques.

This Problem-Based learning course will introduce grant writing, pre-award preparation, post-award management and will be taught using problem-based modules. Federal and non-federal extramural grants will be used as modules specific aspects of different segmental grants will be presented. Major research grants, training, and fellowships, grants-in-aid will be taught. In addition, small business innovation research (SBIR) or STTR will be covered. Students will learn techniques to analyze markets, identify optimal opportunities, develop plans to sell their vision in order to attract talent and stakeholders. A series of problem-based lectures integrate modern business concepts from an entrepreneurial approach.

Part I: The aim of this Problem-Based learning course is to provide students a basic understanding and expertise pertaining to generation and implementation of preclinical research IACUC protocol. This course consists of a problem-based learning module with a focus on developing students’ understanding of various animal models in preclinical research and how to refine animal research models that meet the requirement of IACUC regulation. Part II: The purpose of this course is to provide clinical research regulatory expertise with an aim to create future leaders in the drug development industry. This regulatory science course uses a multidisciplinary approach and encompasses course work in regulatory writing techniques, quality systems, and medical device and pharmaceutical regulation. The concentration is designed to develop the student's understanding of how to meet regulatory oversight requirements as they relate to the conduct of clinical studies. This course will prepare students to play critical roles throughout the lifecycle of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and biologics. They provide strategic, tactical, and operational direction, and support for working within regulations to expedite the development and delivery of safe and effective healthcare products to individuals around the world. The regulatory professional's services can be utilized in research and development, clinical trials, an extension of premarket approvals, manufacturing, labeling, and advertising, and post-market surveillance. Knowledge of clinical research conduct and management which involves the design, execution, and management of clinical trials as well as quality assurance and compliance principles are important to regulatory professionals. The course also provides highlights on how to effectively partner with experts such as writers drafting pre-and post-approval regulatory FDA submission documentation (INDs, NDAs, PMAs, etc.) for product clearance or licensure, IRB reviewers, and investigational Pharmacists to enhance the development of healthcare products.

The course allows the student to work full-time on a research project of interest under the supervision of research/clinical faculty or a team of faculty members.