Master of Science (MSc) in Anatomy
University of Otago
Key Information
Campus location
Dunedin, New Zealand
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
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Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
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Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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Introduction
Master of Science (MSc) in Anatomy
The Master of Science (MSc) is a two-year degree which encompasses both coursework and research. The first year involves mainly coursework and preliminary research preparation. Students will have the opportunity to contribute to existing fields of research, or to begin to develop new areas.
Why study Anatomy?
Anatomy is a diverse, vibrant, and visual subject. It explores the relationship between the structure of the body and the functions it performs, and can be studied from microscopic to macroscopic levels.
Some of the things you will learn include:
How the body develops from just a single cell to an individual with millions of cells organised into many different tissues and organ systems
How you can tell the age a person was when they died just by looking at their bones
What changes occur when we develop from child to adult
How the structure of muscles are related to their function
How our brains control what we think how we feel, and what we do
How the reproductive system functions
Using skeletal remains to track movement, culture, and health of ancient people
How to analyse, interpret, and discuss relevant contemporary anatomical research, and much, much more…
Studying papers in Anatomy will expose you to world-leading research in the anatomical sciences. You will learn techniques such as immunohistochemistry, cell culture, and gene sequencing, and have access to state-of-the-art equipment such as electron and confocal microscopes, and next-generation sequencing technology.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.
Curriculum
- The degree may be awarded in any of the subjects listed above. With the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences) the degree may be awarded in a subject not listed above.
- The Program of study shall be as prescribed for the subject concerned.
- A candidate whose qualification for entry to the Program is the degree of Bachelor of Science with Honours or the Postgraduate Diploma in Science or equivalent may achieve the degree after a minimum of one year of further study, normally by completing a thesis or equivalent as prescribed in the MSc Schedule.
- A candidate may be exempted from some of the prescribed papers on the basis of previous study.
- A candidate shall, before commencing the investigation to be described in a thesis, secure the approval of the Head of the Department concerned for the topic, the supervisor(s), and the proposed course of the investigation.
- A candidate may not present a thesis which has previously been accepted for another degree.
- A candidate taking the degree by papers and thesis must pass both the papers and the thesis components.
- For the thesis, the research should be of a kind that a diligent and competent student should complete within one year of full-time study.
Subject areas
View the list of subjects offered for the Master of Science (MSc) and the Master of Applied Science (MAppSc).
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Cognitive Science
- Computational Modelling
- Computer Science
- Consumer Food Science
- Ecology
- Economics
- Electronics
- Energy Science and Technology
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Science
- Food Science
- Genetics
- Geographic Information Systems
- Geography
- Geology
- Geophysics
- Human Nutrition
- Immunology
- Information Science
- Marine Science
- Mathematics
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Physics
- Physiology
- Plant Biotechnology
- Psychology
- Sport, Exercise and Health
- Statistics
- Surveying
- Toxicology
- Wildlife Management
- Zoology
Program Outcome
Level of Award of the Degree
The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
A University of Otago graduate in Anatomy has the world at their feet. Opportunities available to them are varied and numerous, ranging from health professions such as Medicine, Dentistry, and Physiotherapy, to research and teaching at university or secondary and primary school, to technical work in medical or agricultural laboratories, to sales, marketing, and research positions with pharmaceutical, medical, or agribusiness companies, or national bodies such as the Cancer Society of New Zealand.
Graduates also work as funeral directors, winemakers, policymakers, and beyond – there is definitely something for everyone with a degree in Anatomy!
Anatomy students gain a high level of knowledge and competencies across a broad range of topics, with a range of skills that can be applied to any chosen career. These skills range from learning to speak and work in group environments, honing and extending thinking and communication skills, through to having an awareness and understanding of ethics and developing the ability to undertake self-directed learning. Ant then of course, there are the technical and applied skills that are used every day in practical labs.
Some graduates use their degree as a stepping stone to further study in a health professional course, while others have gone on to postgraduate study in forensic science, clinical embryology, and of course the various research fields – biological anthropology, clinical anatomy, neuroscience, and reproductive and developmental biology – offered in the Department of Anatomy here at the University of Otago.
Program delivery
Application details
Applicants must apply online. They should also attach all the necessary supporting documents which includes scanned copies of their official high school or foundation transcripts (awards gained, marks, grades); scanned copies of the relevant official transcripts of previous university study; and provide proof of their identity this is usually achieved by providing a certified copy of the personal details page of their passport or a birth certificate (in English). Applicants may also be required to submit an Educational Credential Evaluators report (ECE). As soon as applicants have completed their online application, their proof of identity document must be posted to International Office, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand. International student applications for semester 1/summer school study close: Oct-31; Semester 2 study close: Apr-30.