University of Birmingham

Key Features

• Undergraduate Masters
• Increased opportunity for dissection
• Close links with local hospitals
• Conduct novel clinically relevant research

The intercalated MSci in Clinical Anatomy is a one-year multifaceted programme. The course combines the academic study of anatomy with a practical focus on its influence, impact, and role in the clinical environment.

The importance of anatomy within contemporary clinical medicine has grown substantially, traditionally bound to surgical disciplines, the advancement of both imaging and novel interventions means that, more than ever, medical graduates require a strong grounding in anatomy.

This programme has been developed to allow students to study anatomy in greater depth, specifically in its clinical context, and to provide the platform to further investigate the role of applied anatomy in the understanding and management of disease. Uniquely, this programme allows students to improve their understanding of 3-dimensional anatomy through whole-body dissection, while exploring its application through clinical placements. The MSci Clinical Anatomy intercalation is a bespoke course made available to students enrolled on both medical and dental programmes.

The programme consists of 3 taught modules and 1 research module:

Form Function and Dysfunction (FFD) – 20 credits
During this module you will build upon your knowledge and understanding of clinical anatomy at a contextually relevant time following exposure to patients during your hospital-based teaching. The unique opportunity to study anatomy through whole body dissection, complimentary anatomy seminars and accompanying journal clubs, offers the perfect environment to take your knowledge to the next level. During dissection, each student will work as a team of four on a designated cadaver, but students are expected to investigate anatomical variation and pathology by interrogating the cadavers dissected by other groups. Each cadaver on the programme will have a diagnosed pathology. Through dissection and self-directed study, students will attempt to build a picture of the cause of death, while identifying anatomical variations, anomalies and pathologies, and discussing the reasons for their development.

Embryological and Developmental Basis of Disease (EDBD) – 20 credits
Research and technology have substantially improved our knowledge of development, this in turn has improved the outcomes for infants born with congenital anomalies, with many such patients now surviving to adulthood. This module has been developed to improve students’ knowledge of lesion-specific embryology, in order to better understand the aetiology and treatment of developmental diseases. Critical evaluation of the anatomical changes associated with maldevelopment and their impact on diagnosis, treatment and outcomes, are at the core of this module.

Anatomy in the Clinical Environment (ACE) – 20 credits
This module will specifically examine the way anatomical knowledge is informing contemporary clinical practice. In particular students will examine how both morphological and functional anatomy is utilised in the clinical environment for diagnosis, staging and planning treatment of different disease states. Students will work under the supervision of clinicians and surgical teams, exploring how novel modalities for assessing macro- and micro-anatomy inform clinical decision making. Through this process students will attend multidisciplinary team meetings, participate in clinical rounds, and shadow surgeries. Part of the students’ work will involve examining how anatomical information is used to effectively inform diagnoses and treatment. In groups of three or four, students will spend 3-4 days a week in each of the following specialist areas over a 5-week period:

• Plastic/ Maxillofacial Surgery (QEH)
• Hand Surgery (QEH)
• Paediatric medicine and surgery (BCH)
• Imaging (QEH)
• Ear, Nose and Throat (QEH)

Research Project – 60 credits
This module provides you with the opportunity to use the scientific, clinical and professional understanding you have developed through the taught components of the Clinical Anatomy MSci programme as a foundation for planning and undertaking a major piece of novel and clinically relevant research. During your 6–7 month research project, you will be mentored by an experienced research team of academics and clinicians, but impetus for the work, critical thinking, and presentation will come from you as the student. Many of our graduates go on publish their research projects in scientific journals and present their findings at international conferences.

Entry Requirements

Students studying medicine following successful completion of their third or fourth year and who will return to the fourth or fifth year of the MBChB course on completion of the intercalation. The programme is not available before you have completed at least one year of clinical training. Dental students are advised to contact the Programme Lead prior to applying.

Fees: Standard fees apply, details of which can be found here. Our main course page on the University of Birmingham website also details bursaries that you can apply for, and the eligibility criteria for those.

Closing Date

Please contact our Intercalation team mdsintercalationenquiries@contacts.bham.ac.uk to make enquiries and apply.