The Master of Science in Anatomical Science program focuses on anatomical studies combined with pedagogical components.

Students in the program may also opt to take additional courses to earn a Graduate Certificate in Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (TLHE), which is offered through the Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate and Professional Studies (IGPS). This certificate equips participants with essential skills and competencies for promoting student learning in higher education.

Our program offers two distinctive learning experiences: a Teaching Practicum and a Research Project. As part of the basic requirements for the program, scholars act as laboratory instructors (TAs) in the lab courses provided to medical, dental, and physical therapy students. With the Teaching Practicum,  scholars provide lecture instruction to undergraduate anatomy students.

For the Research Project, scholars work with a faculty mentor to develop a research topic in medical education research or other original anatomy research. Scholars will be expected to design projects with measurable outcomes and present the results via an oral presentation or a poster presented within the Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology (CDIB). Presentation of research findings at a national/regional meeting is preferable but not required.

Program Requirements

The Master of Science in Anatomical Science requires a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours and a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) at the time of graduation. Coursework includes Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (TLHE) courses, which are taught online. Please note students must take additional courses to earn the optional TLHE certificate.

Curriculum

Education Core – Required Courses

• TLHE 600: Theory of Learning – 3 Hours
• THLE 610: Interdisciplinary Teaching – 3 Hours

Anatomy Core – Required Courses

• ANSC 601/601L: Human Gross Anatomy with Lab – 4 Hours/1 Hour
  Course provides a comprehensive survey of the gross anatomy of the human along with functional and applied anatomy as it relates to common clinical findings. It utilizes a lecture format and cadaveric dissection laboratory sessions. (Fall, on campus) 

• ANSC 602: Gross Anatomy Supplement – 1 Hour
  This course will provide students with the opportunity to study the educational literature and develop their research project. (Required Fall and Spring, on campus) 

• ANSC 618: Graduate Histology Course – 3 Hours
  This course will cover the specialized cell biology and microscopic anatomy for each of the mammalian organ systems, as well as consider current research with regard to each system. The objective is to understand how cells organize into tissues and organ systems and how these systems function in the body, as well as to appreciate the microscopic appearance of cells, tissues and organs. (Spring, on campus) 

• ANSC 655 Neuroendocrine – 3 Hours
  The course provides the student with a balanced basic science view of the structure and function of the nervous system. The course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the nervous system from molecular-to-behavioral levels. The inclusion of relevant clinical correlations is designed to facilitate the students' understanding of the function of the normal nervous system and to provide an overview of the clinical neurosciences. (Fall, on campus) 

• ANSC 656 Human Embryology – 2 Hours
  This course uses didactic lectures, lab exercises, and student presentations to help students gain an understanding of the major events in human development from gastrulation-to-birth. Individual units focus on the developmental processes of specific organ systems. The course uses an anatomical focus to describe the morphological characteristics of the developing embryo/fetus. The biochemical and molecular biology of development are only briefly discussed. Morphology and anatomy are also related to the clinical presentation of birth defects. (Spring, on campus)

• ANSC 657 Medical Imaging – 1 Hour
  This course is a modification of an existing SOM elective. In this course, students will learn to obtain and interpret ultrasound images by practicing techniques on classmates and reading existing ultrasound images. Other radiograph images (X-ray, MRI) will also be used to help students understand planar anatomy and its relationship to 3D anatomy. Students will learn the basics of the technology behind the different medical imaging modalities to provide a fuller understanding of image interpretation. (Summer, on campus)

• ANSC 695 Teaching Practicum – 3 Hours
  Students will act as supplemental instructors in a variety of anatomy lab courses, complete their own (or in teams) whole-body prosection, and prepare and present 2-3 hours of new lecture content for undergraduate anatomy students. (Spring, on campus) 

• ANSC 696 Research Project – 1-6 Hours
  Students will develop an original research project primarily in medical education but other research areas such as clinical anatomy, histology, etc. can be pursued. Students will be evaluated on their ability to formulate an anatomically relevant research question, review the existing literature, and communicate their findings via a poster or oral presentation to department. (Spring and Summer, on campus)

Elective Courses

• TLHE 620: Assessment of Teaching and Learning – 3 Hours
• TLHE 630: Seminar in Teaching and Learning – 3 Hours
• TLHE 631: Online Learning and Educational Technology – 3 Hours
• TLHE 632: Teaching and Learning Research – 3 Hours
• TLHE 633: Teaching Portfolio – 3 Hours

Research

Students begin developing their original research project in medical education during the first semester of the program. With guidance from a faculty mentor, each student will select a topic that is anatomically relevant and includes both a survey component and IRB-exempt application. Students will be evaluated on their ability to:

• Formulate a clear and focused research question
• Conduct a comprehensive literature review
• Design a project with measurable outcomes
• Communicate findings effectively via oral or poster presentation

Although the research project is officially assigned credit hours in the final summer term, students begin shaping their research question during their first summer semester as part of the TLHE pedagogy courses. They are expected to continue refining their literature review and research methodology throughout the first year of the program. In the final summer, students will synthesize their work into a publishable product, which will be presented during a department-sponsored research day. While presenting at regional or national meetings of anatomical societies is strongly encouraged to enhance scholarly engagement, it is not a program requirement.

Assessment

Student performance will be primarily evaluated by GPA, which reflects outcomes from written exams, practical assessments, multiple-choice tests, and laboratory work, such as the quality of anatomical prosections. To remain in good academic standing, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, with no more than one ‘C’ letter grade. Grades below ‘C’ may result in academic probation, remediation, or dismissal from the program, as determined by faculty.

Additional degree requirements, including the Teaching Practicum and Research Capstone, will be assessed according to the detailed syllabi for those courses. Each student will be assigned a faculty mentor at the start of the program. Regular meetings with the mentor will provide opportunities for ongoing guidance and verbal feedback. At the end of each semester, students will receive written feedback assessing their progress in all aspects of the course.