Clinical Anatomy

Who this programme is for

The programme is tailored specifically for intercalating medical or dental students.

About the programme

Human anatomy is a core component of undergraduate medical degree programmes, as well as programmes allied to medicine such as radiography and physiotherapy.

However, the relative amount of anatomy taught on these programmes is considerably less than in years gone by, and there are limited opportunities across the UK (and further afield) for medical and dental students to gain an in-depth knowledge of human anatomy beyond their core programmes.

We have established this programme not only to directly address this deficiency but also to offer an opportunity for graduate entry intercalating medical/dental students to significantly enhance their clinically-relevant anatomical knowledge and research skills.

Aims

There are three main aims of the MSc Clinical Anatomy programme, providing you with:

• the opportunity to gain a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of clinically-related human anatomy by dissection
• a comprehensive understanding of the anatomical basis of clinical subjects, including surgery, radiology and histology
• experience of undertaking a cutting-edge anatomically/clinically-related research project

The programme’s principal educational and clinical aims are specifically to give you thorough knowledge in all aspects of anatomy, including:

• gross anatomy
• embryology
• neuroanatomy
• anatomical imaging

You will also gain knowledge in clinical related subjects including radiology, histology and surgery, to the level of being competent to teach these elements to medical students and to students in professions allied to medicine.

Why Edinburgh

The unique elements of this programme are:

Hands-on cadaveric dissection

You will gain a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of human anatomy by dissection. This strand will involve the dissection of a body in groups of three to five students over two semesters.

A major component of this course involves self-directed learning. When there are no scheduled lectures or tutorials, students are required to spend their time in the lab, fully engaged in the process of dissecting and learning anatomy from their assigned dissected body.

Additionally, there will be regular "surgeries" where teaching staff will be present to offer guidance and support during the dissections.

Bespoke modules covering anatomical aspects of radiology, histology and surgery

The knowledge gained will enable you to:

• understand and apply basic anatomical principles underpinning surgery, radiology and histology
• locate and identify key anatomical structures, including major clinical phenotypes, on medical images
• identify and interpret light microscopic histological images of core human tissues

A clinically-orientated research project

This will provide you with an opportunity to gain a more in-depth working knowledge of a particular aspect of clinically-relevant anatomy.

Complementing these three strands will be a lecture-based Medical Law and Ethics course.

You will learn:

• the health and safety of embalming procedures and handling bodies
• the legal and historical aspects of anatomy in Scotland and the UK
• an introduction to the ethics of using bodies in medical education

You will also explore clinical techniques used to image the body.

The research project gives you an opportunity to gain a more in-depth knowledge of a particular aspect of anatomy and to present your findings by writing a dissertation.

This programme is a one-year, full-time MSc.

Should you face delays due to valid reasons, such as visa issues, and therefore be unable to commence the MSc Clinical Anatomy programme on time, a one-week delay may be permitted with the Programme Director's consent.

The programme consists of 120 taught credits, with a 60 credit dissertation component.

The credit rating for each of the courses is set at SCQF Level 11.

Video recording of the lectures pertaining to this programme is prohibited.

Semester 1

• Basic Human Anatomy, Imaging and Embryology 1 (40 credits)
• Surgery, Radiology and Histology 1 (10 credits)
• Anatomy Law and Ethics (10 credits)

Semester 2

• Basic Human Anatomy, Imaging and Embryology 2 (40 credits)
• Surgery, Radiology and Histology 2 (10 credits)
• Neuroanatomy (10 credits)

Semester 3

• Dissertation (60 credits)

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Award Title Duration Study mode MSc Clinical Anatomy 1 Year Full-time Programme structure 2024/25