M.Sc., Ph.D. Vision Science Programs
The School of Optometry and Vision Science is the leader in its field in Israel and the only program conferring a Bachelor’s of Science, Masters of Science and Ph.D. degrees.
Students in the advanced degree programs delve into exciting and rewarding fields ranging from retinal implants to high-level visual processing and participate in seminars and conferences under the tutelage of leading international researchers in the field.
Our labs
The Polat lab conducts basic-science research of fundamental visual functions with clinical applications, including amblyopia (lazy eyes), low vision, ADHD, and more. The research is focused on understanding the basic mechanism, on assessing visual functions, and on training methods for vision improvement. There were three peer-reviewed publications in 2020 from the lab, two of them from PhD students. for further information conatct us: uri.polat@biu.ac.il
The Mandel lab is focused on restoration of sight for the blind using various technologies. Of main interest are retinal prostheses and stem cell technologies. The research group is composed of scientists and graduate students from the field of biomedical engineering, neurobiology, life science, brain science, chemistry and vision science. The scientific work resulted in 5 peer-reviewed publications in 2020. In two studies published in high-impact journals (Current Biology and Journal of Neural Engineering) the persistence of basic visual cortex mechanisms when the visual cortex integrates prosthetic and natural vision. This has wide implications for the restoration of sight in age-related macular degeneration patients implanted with a retinal prosthetic device. In two other publication the group characterized photoreceptor precursors electrophysiology maturation and their interaction with nanomaterials.for further information conatct us : yossi.mandel@biu.ac.il
The Gilaie-Dotan lab investigates how the human visual system function and organization enable us to understand, perceive, and function in the dynamic world around us. The lab investigates high-level visual functions (face, shape, and place perception, biological motion, attention, visual memory) using behavioral, eye tracking and neuroimaging (fMRI and MRI) methods, in both healthy (neurotypical) vision and in impaired high-level vision (as "face blindness" (prosopagnosia) or visual agnosia). One recent finding in the lab is that oculomotor abilities (as the ability to keep fixation or perform precise eye movements) predicts reading acquisition skills in first graders, which may have significant influence on policy makers and recommended interventions. There were 2 peer-reviewed publications of the lab in 2020. For further information conatct us: sharon.gilaie-dotan@biu.ac.il
The Bonneh lab studies vision and brain disorders, including Autism and brain-damage, using behavioral, eye tracking and EEG methods. The focus of the lab is studying non-communicating individuals by assessing their involuntary micromovement of the eyes. One of the lab’s 2020 publications reports the detection of concealed information via the micromovement of the eyes, which could be useful for security and criminal investigations. There was one research breakthrough at the end of 2019 and 2020 with the discovery of hidden reading skills in non-verbal and severely autistic teenagers, via the analysis of their eye movements. This may have a significant implication on how these individuals are perceived and treated. The studies resulted in 3 peer-reviewed publications in 2020 (one from a shared student with Gilaie-Dotan). For further information conatct us: yoram.bonneh@biu.ac.il
MA admission requirements
B.Sc. in Optometry/Brain Science/Life Sciences/Engineering/Psychology
Average grade of 85 or more in the Bachelor’s program
Notice: In the case where no degree in Optometry or BS.C. exists, there may be make-up course requirements
For those who do not meet these specific requirements, such as Michlalah graduates, lower average, different academic background, please contact our office for a personal interview and evaluation.
Ph.D admission requirements
Average grade of 85 or more in the Master program, and at least an 85 grade on the thesis.
Students who have been accepted to the M.Sc. or Ph.D. programs will receive a full scholarship covering the program tuition and can apply separately for a living stipend.
for further information please Email: optometry.dept@biu.ac.il or phone: 972-3-5352483
