Earn your Master of Science in Anatomy in just one year with our intensive, hands-on program.
Overview & Distinctions
Overview
Our 12 month, accelerated Master of Science program in Anatomy combines intensive, hands-on study with a solid grounding in contemporary research techniques. You’ll gain valuable practical experience in our cutting-edge human gross anatomy labs all while working closely with faculty both in the classroom and in research settings.
Depending on the educational level you’ve attained before you enter our program, when you graduate from D’Youville’s MS Anatomy program, you’ll be well-prepared for a variety of career paths including pursuing a professional healthcare or science degree (MD, DO, PA, DC, PhD, etc.), academic research and instruction, or scientific and managerial positions in health-related industries.
Our program is ideal for anyone with a bachelor’s degree who wishes to apply (or re-apply) to medical, dental, chiropractic, or other professional healthcare degree programs or for those who hold professional graduate degrees who wish to add a specialization to their professional credentials.
Why Choose D'Youville?
- All students accepted into the program are awarded teaching assistantships and may be eligible for additional scholarships and financial aid.
- Students in the program immediately perform their own dissections in our state-of-the-art Gross Anatomy Lab.
Curriculum
Graduate Courses
The Master of Science in Anatomy program is a 12-month program of study consisting of 30 graduate credits. Depending on prior experience and education, some students may also be required to take between one and five undergraduate credits as either pre-or-co-requisites.
Anatomy
Degree: M.S.
Course Requirements for the Major:
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 639 |
Human Gross AnatomyThis is a lecture and laboratory course in human gross anatomy, which uses cadaver
dissection and other materials illustrative of human anatomy. Emphasis is placed on
the anatomy of skeletal muscles, including their bony attachments, nerve and blood
supply, and functions in movements. Additional dissections involve a survey of abdominal
and thoracic organs, anatomy of the head and contents of the cranial cavity. |
6.0 |
| BIO 639L |
Gross Anat LabThis is a lecture and laboratory course in human gross anatomy, which uses cadaver
dissection and other materials illustrative of human anatomy. Emphasis is placed on
the anatomy of skeletal muscles, including their bony attachments, nerve and blood
supply, and functions in movements. Additional dissections involve a survey of abdominal
and thoracic organs, anatomy of the head and contents of the cranial cavity. |
0.0 |
| BIO 504 |
Microscopic AnatomyThis course is an in-depth microscopic examination of the organ systems of the body.
The development, histology, histophysiology, and histopathology of the tissues and
organs of the body will be presented in lecture. Chemistry and biochemistry of the
structures will be covered and discussed. The lab incorporates microscopic examination
of the organ system and training in processing of tissue for imaging and the use of
imaging equipment and the chemical properties and uses of traditional and current
staining methods. This course consists of three lectures and three hours of laboratory
a week. |
4.0 |
| BIO 504L |
Microscopic Anatomy LabLab for BIO-504 |
0.0 |
| BIO 505 |
NeurobiologyThis is a lecture and laboratory course studying the human nervous system. Emphasis
is placed on the science, biology, and biochemistry of nervous system anatomy and
physiology, including research techniques used to study the nervous system, organization
and development of the nervous system, neuroanatomy, fundamental concepts of cellular
and molecular neurobiology, underlying neuroanatomical and neurophysiological dysfunctions
of neurological disorders, sensory and motor systems, and neural tracts. The laboratory
includes neuroanatomy models and cadaveric specimens. This course consists of three
lectures and three hours of laboratory a week. |
4.0 |
| BIO 505L |
Neurobiology LabLab for BIO-505 |
0.0 |
| BIO 517 |
Comparative AnatomyThis is a analysis of vertebrates and their chordate origins, including a summarization
emphasizing their historical relationships. The major systems, such as integument,
muscular, nervous, endocrine, circulatory, and skeletal, are presented and explored
with examples from the major vertebrate groups. The course consists of three lectures
and three hours of laboratory a week. |
4.0 |
| BIO 517L |
Comparative Anatomy LabLab for BIO-517. |
0.0 |
| BIO 520 |
Developmental BiologyThis is a study of the principles of development and their application to animal and
plant embryos, regeneration, metamorphosis, cancer and related processes. The laboratory
includes observation and experimentation with living animal and plant material, plant
tissue culture and examination of prepared slides. |
4.0 |
| BIO 520L |
Developmental Biology LabLab for BIO-520 |
0.0 |
| BIO-689 | Research Seminar | 1 |
| ANA 601 |
Research Methods in Anatomy IThis course provides guidance to the student in the formulation of an original anatomical
project. The student will identify their project, and develop a research plan that
includes embryology, histology, neurology and comparative and gross anatomy of their
topic, and initiate the introduction and methods sections of a publishable paper and
convey their progress to classmates. Students will consider the function of the IRB
and assess of the appropriateness of different statistical analyses. |
3.0 |
| ANA 602 |
Research Methods in Anatomy IIThis course is a continuation of ANA 601 Research Methods in Anatomy I. This is a
cadaver-based course in which the student will study and independently dissect additional
regions of the cadaver that were exclusively faculty demonstrations during their gross
anatomy course (BIO 639). In addition, the student will then perform a thorough dissection
of the region of their project topic defined in ANA 601. Emphasis will be placed on
correlation of the embryology and histology of the region, and clinical and epidemiology
implications of the region. The pathology present will be analyzed. The student will
gain experience assisting the instructor(s) in anatomy laboratories. Students will
perform the research and analysis needed to complete the publishable manuscript begun
in ANA 601. |
4.0 |
| Total | 30 | |
Careers
Careers
The D'Youville Master of Science in Anatomy program is designed to prepare students for further professional study in healthcare, academic teaching and research, or to help those with a professional healthcare degree to acquire a specialization in Anatomy. Our highly-supportive, cutting-edge program is ideal for:
- Those seeking additional education in order to apply (or re-apply) to a professional
degree program in a variety of healthcare fields including:
- Medical Doctor (MD)
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
- Dental (DDS, DMD, DD, etc.)
- Physicians Assistant (PA)
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)
- Holders of professional degrees who are looking to acquire an additional credential as a specialty.
- Graduates of professional healthcare degree programs that do not offer cadaver dissection as part of their curriculum (e.g. Caribbean, Italian, or Polish medical schools) who wish to enhance their CVs when pursuing employment in the United States or to earn surgical fellowships.*
- Current instructors or professors currently holding a PhD in the biological sciences who wish to pursue an academic career in Anatomy.
- Chiropractors who wish to teach Anatomy at Chiropractic colleges.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The MS Anatomy program offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid to qualified students including:
- Teaching assistantships awarded to all students entering the MS Anatomy program.
- Automatic 25-50% scholarships for qualified students entering the BS/MS program that continues throughout your 5 years of study.
- We offer a 20% discount for Canadian citizens and opportunities for tuition waivers and discounts for military veterans.
- A wide range of other financial aid options are available for qualified students. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for more details about applying or qualifying for aid.
Admission Requirements
Prerequisites & Admission Requirements
Students entering the program as graduate students must meet the following criteria.
- A letter of recommendation from a faculty member from your undergraduate institution or a healthcare professional with an advanced degree.
- A letter of intention.
- Scores from GRE, MCAT, DAT, or VAT exams (if taken).
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Students must have pre-requisite courses with a minimum grades of "C" if completed at a 4-year institution or "B's" if they were completed at a 2-year institution.
- Introduction to Biology I & II with laboratory instruction or Anatomy and Physiology I & II with included laboratory instruction.
- General Chemistry I & II with included laboratory instruction.
- Organic Chemistry I with included laboratory instruction.
- Organic Chemistry II or Biochemistry I with included laboratory* instruction.
- Introduction to English I & II
- Applied Statistics (or biostatistics)
- Genetics or a Biology course with substantial amounts of Molecular Biology and Genetics content with laboratory instruction.
- If a biochemistry course is utilized as a pre-requisite, the laboratory and/or genetics and laboratory could be completed after matriculation. Biochemistry and genetics (both with labs) are the only courses that can be completed after you enter the program.
Course equivalencies will be determined during the application process by a thorough review of applicants' undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) transcripts. In some cases, students may request to take practical comprehensive examinations in lieu of pre-requisites. Please contact the department if you have any questions about these pre-requisites before applying.
Assistantships
Teaching Assistantships
All students accepted to the MS Anatomy program are awarded a Teaching Assistantship position. While this position does not provide full tuition-remission, it does provide a stipend that can help with expenses while also giving you the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience under the supervision of a faculty member.
Unlike many institutions that require TAs to function as the primary instructor for the courses they teach, our TAs partner with experienced faculty members to assist with course duties, provide open laboratory hours for studying/tutoring allowing our students some teaching experience while allowing time to complete their allowing our students more time to pursue their degrees.
Contact Us
Please contact us to learn about the current award amount or to receive further details about the teaching assistantship requirements.
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