Human Anatomy PgCert
Introduction to Anatomy: Cells to Organs BIOL5247
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Medicine Dentistry and Nursing
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
- Typically Offered: Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: No
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
This course provides students with an introduction to the study of anatomy, including anatomical terminology and the legislation around body donation. It will explore how microanatomy relates to the macroanatomical structure of organs. It will also introduce the study of embryology to aid understanding of the basic body layout.
Timetable
This course is made up of lectures and practical classes in semester 2.
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
Group presentation (20%, ILOs 2 and 3). Each student in a group will present for 4 minutes.
Multiple choice question (80%, ILOs 1, 3 and 5). 1 hour exam of 60 MCQs.
Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? No
It is the default expectation that all courses will offer opportunities for reassessment or deferred assessment. Where it is not possible to offer this in some assessment components, the grade achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade, and any exceptions for this course are described below.
[No exceptions]
Course Aims
The course aims to:
■ Introduce the study of anatomy including anatomical terminology and relevant legislation;
■ Allow students to understand the laboratory rules and regulations related to good practice in anatomical teaching;
■ Introduce students to fundamental principles of cell biology and relate these building blocks to the anatomy of organs;
■ Provide experience in using microscopes to view and interpret histology slides;
■ Introduce the field of embryology and relate early development from fertilisation to the formation of the basic body plan;
■ Explore the challenges and potential solutions to viewing microscopic 3D structures to enhance anatomical learning.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
1. Discuss the Anatomy Act (1984), its subsequent revisions under the Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006, and the relevance of this to anatomically related training
2. Critically evaluate anatomical research and advances within the field
3. Communicate using appropriate anatomical terminology to discuss anatomy and anatomical relations of structures
4. Relate the cellular composition and microanatomy of tissues to the anatomy of organs
5. Explain the importance of early embryonic development in determining the basic body plan.