1999 Science Handbook

Anatomy

Discipline objectives
The discipline
Subjects offered

Discipline objectives

The study of anatomy will provide students with:

a knowledge of topographic human anatomy;
an understanding of cell biology, embryology and developmental biology;
an understanding of the relationship between structure and function at levels from cell to organism;
a knowledge of microscopic and ultrastructural aspects of cells;
an understanding of contemporary aspects of reproduction, cancer biology, tissue injury and repair and haematology.

The discipline of anatomy is a major biological science which contributes significantly to the study of the human body in particular and to mammals in general. The teaching program in anatomy is designed to focus student attention principally on human biology. The four-semester program covers topographic human anatomy, embryology, developmental biology, histology, cell biology and principles of neurobiology. These subjects are not only important in the context of a thorough scientific training in the biology of humans and other mammals, but also provide a very important structural basis for the study of physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology, microbiology and psychology.
The approach used in the discipline emphasises strongly the relationships between structure and function, considers molecular and subcellular organisation, the arrangement of cells into tissues, and the functional morphology of some organs and organ systems. To understand how the many components of the human body work together the subjects consider the fundamentals of anatomical structure using prosections and active dissection of human cadavers. This is supplemented by the study of living anatomy, X-rays, CT scans and other body-imaging technologies. The study of gross anatomy is combined with practical histology emphasising the relationships between microscopic and ultrastructural morphology and the function of cells, tissues and organs. Contemporary aspects of reproduction and fertility in humans will be considered together with early embryogenesis and the cellular and molecular foundations of developmental biology.
Students who successfully complete second-year science-anatomy may proceed to the study of anatomy in third year. The third-year science-anatomy subjects enable students to complete their topographical study of the human body. The topics include topographic anatomy of the head, neck and upper limb by dissection and prosection and studies of the related aspects of histology and embryology. First semester includes a detailed study of the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems (neurosciences) which is closely integrated with the head and neck dissection program, and in second semester the subject includes units in reproduction and developmental biology and haematology.
A fourth year of study in anatomy leading to the honours degree provides opportunities for laboratory research under the supervision of a staff member.

Subjects offered

Subjects offered are: