Anatomical Sciences PgDip, PgCert, PgProfDev (Online Learning)

This is a postgraduate-level qualification for medical, biomedical, and allied health professionals and those in holistic practice with an interest in human anatomy.

The programme is taught by leading academics who are passionate about teaching and research, and who are making an impact on an international level.

This programme has been designed not only to help you gain a highly regarded qualification but also to provide you with a set of major transferable skills, which will be relevant to your current career, further study or simply increase your long-term career prospects.

Year 1 (Certificate) (1 year part-time, 2 years intermittent study)

In Year 1 you will develop your knowledge of basic human anatomy and human development with courses in human anatomy, embryology, and neuroanatomy.

Fundamentals of Human Anatomy 1 and 2

Through Fundamentals of Human Anatomy 1 you will develop an understanding of basic human anatomy, with a focus on the musculoskeletal, respiratory and endocrine systems. In Fundamentals of Human Anatomy 2, you will continue to explore the human body systems, focusing on cardiovascular, urinary, lymphatic, integumentary and digestive systems.

Embryology

You will explore aspects of human development from ovulation through fertilisation, pre-and post-implantation to embryonic and fetal development of body systems. You will also look at what happens when typical human development is altered and how this manifests in commonly developed abnormalities.

Neuroanatomy

You will develop your understanding of the nervous system, including the gross anatomy of the central nervous system, the gross anatomy of the peripheral nervous system, and spinal cord, spinal nerves, and the autonomic nervous system.

Year 2 (Postgraduate Diploma) (2 years part-time, 4 years intermittent study)

On successful completion of Year 1, you will expand your anatomical knowledge in Year 2 with compulsory courses in Advanced Human Anatomy. You will explore the upper limb, lower limb and thorax regions in Advanced Human Anatomy 1, and then the abdomen, pelvis, and head and neck regions in Advanced Human Anatomy 2.

In year 2 you will also choose two courses from the following options:

Imaging

This course will provide you with an excellent understanding of the use of medical imaging techniques to study the anatomy of the human body.

Histology

This course will introduce you to the microscopic structure of tissues and organs. It will initially look at the histology of the basic tissues before going on to look at the histology of specific structures within body systems. Areas covered will include:

• introductions to cell and tissue types
• respiratory
• urinary & reproductive
• digestive
• circulatory

Visualising Human Anatomy

This course will provide you with an excellent understanding of the use of visualisation techniques in anatomy education. A range of topics focusing on how visualisation is used as a teaching method will include:

• The History of Anatomical Visualisation
• advances in technology including the use of MRI and CT scans
• the development of virtual reality
• how these developments aid or hinder anatomy education.

Artificial Organs

This course will give you an excellent understanding of how technology replicates the human anatomical form and function in organs and body systems. A range of topics including advancements in areas such as the artificial heart, lungs, liver, kidney and limbs will be covered.

Please note that Diploma Optional Courses availability will be subject to student demand. Course availability and allocations will be finalised in consultation with students.

Part-time

Studying part-time means you will complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Year 1 and the Postgraduate Diploma in Year 2.

Intermittent Study

Intermittent study allows more flexibility in how you choose to study. With this option, you will have up to two years to complete the certificate, and up to four years to complete the diploma.

The standard programme structure is still maintained in terms of the progression requirement. However, you can tailor your education to fit more closely with commitments in both your private and professional life.

If you choose to study this programme on a part-time intermittent basis, you also pay your tuition fees on a course-by-course basis rather than paying for the entire programme at the outset.

Postgraduate Professional Diploma

Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their knowledge through a postgraduate-level course, without the time or financial commitment of a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate.

You may take a maximum of 50 credits worth of courses over 2 years through our PPD scheme. These lead to a University of Edinburgh postgraduate award of academic credit. Alternatively, after one year of taking courses, you can choose to transfer your credits and continue to study towards a higher award on a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme.

Although PPD courses have various start dates throughout the year you may only start a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme in September. Any time spent studying PPD will be deducted from the amount of time you will have left to complete a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme.

Online learning

How does online learning work?

Online programs are delivered through the University's Virtual Learning Environment, LEARN. Our award-winning, online learning technology is fully interactive and enables you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of your own home or workplace.

Our online students not only have access to the University of Edinburgh’s excellent resources but also become part of a supportive online community, bringing together students and tutors from around the world.

During term time, you should be prepared to spend an average of 20 hours a week engaged in course materials, be that reviewing lecture notes and case studies, interacting with fellow students and the programme team on the discussion board, researching areas of interest or preparing assignments. As there are no set times for study, to be successful you will need to be self-motivated and determined.

Although the programme involves independent study, you will also have the opportunity to become part of a supportive online community, bringing together students and tutors from all over the world. Indeed one of the most important aspects of successful online study is the ongoing support and sharing of information achieved through interactive discussions and input from expert tutors.

How will you learn?

All of our courses use innovative teaching methods to provide students with key transferable skills in addition to a solid foundation of anatomical knowledge. Learning is delivered through:

• Weekly materials, written notes, recommended reading
• Recorded lectures are also available for you to watch or listen to in your own time
• Opportunities to connect regularly with your course organiser and programme team to address concerns and monitor progress
• Individual assessments including essays, data presentations, proposals and presentations that will reinforce what you have learnt
• Group assignments and online discussions with your peers will expose you to different perspectives and new ways of thinking about a problem or topic.
• Independent study and reflection

Each of the taught courses has a set of modules that are released to students on a timed basis from our virtual learning environment.

A typical module structure consists of:

• A recorded lecture to introduce the topic
• Interactive content (video/animated/narrative)
• A set of resource links to course reading – library and research.
• A discussion board facilitated by a tutor.
• A set of questions (MCQs) which students can take at the end of each section - these are formative and do not contribute to the final mark.

You will have access to online student services including:

• Library resources
• Well-being and student support services
• Technical support
• Study skills support