Online Anatomical Sciences Education MS Program

Overview

This online, non- thesis Master of Science program is designed to provide online courses in a learning format that address anatomical base knowledge including gross anatomy, microscopic anatomy, embryology, and cell biology, and to introduce students to the bases of pedagogy. Furthermore, the program is flexible enough to allow the student to pursue neuroanatomy and medical physiology courses as electives. The educational path of this MS degree program uniquely blends training in human anatomy with developing pedagogical methods of teaching and assessment.

This program will allow students with different goals to pursue additional training beyond their baccalaureate degree. Teachers in secondary education and at community colleges can gain more in-depth knowledge of anatomy and learn best practices in teaching and assessing their students. Pre-professional students will be able to gain broad training in all aspects of human anatomy that would allow them to master sufficient base knowledge to pursue health-care professional degrees in medicine, dentistry, physician assistant and physical therapy. Those students that complete the Master of Science program and wish to pursue biomedical research will have completed many of the course requirements for those PhD anatomical programs in biomedical research as well as our PhD Program in Anatomical Sciences Education. Furthermore, students with an MS degree in Anatomical Sciences will be able to teach/assist in human anatomy and histology laboratory exercises.

Admission Requirements

For the MS program, applicants must meet the minimum requirements for the University of Florida Graduate School:

  • Junior/Senior GPA > 3.0
  • BA or BS degree and a strong science foundation with at least five full semester courses related to biology, chemistry and/or physics.
  • Submit a minimum of three letters of reference, a statement of purpose, and a resume

The admissions committee will use the above to assess the student’s qualifications for admission to the program. International students must comply with current UF standards for admission to the Graduate School, including requirements for English language competency and financial responsibility.

Graduation Requirements

The online MS program will require 32 post-baccalaureate hours. There are required 13 credit hours of core courses in Anatomy and Cell Biology and 6 credit hours of core courses in Education for a total of 19 hours of core courses. Up to 15 credits can be transferred from the Anatomical Sciences Education Certificate program with permission.

Final Comprehensive Examination

While there is no thesis requirement for the MS in Anatomical Sciences Education (ASE) Program, there is a final comprehensive examination in accordance with the policies of the University of Florida Graduate Council and Graduate School.  Successful completion of the final comprehensive examination is part of fulfilling all requirements of the MS program.

The final comprehensive examination will include the submission of a formal, written, capstone project that includes a cohesive unit of anatomical principles along with reform-based educational strategies for teaching and assessment. 

Curriculum

Required Core Anatomy & Biomedical Courses: 12 credit hours Credits Available
– GMS 5605: Medical Anatomy 3 Fall, Spring, Summer C
– GMS 5606L: Medical Anatomy Lab 3 Fall, Spring, Summer C
– GMS 5630: Medical Histology 4 Fall, Spring, Summer C
– GMS 5057: Medical Cell Biology 3 Fall, Spring, Summer C
     
Required Core Education & Research Courses: 6 credits Credits Available
– EME 5207: Designing Technology-Rich Curricula 3 Spring, Summer C
– SCE 5140: Science Curriculum Development 3 Spring 
     
Elective: Anatomy and Biomedical Courses (Select at least two) Credits Available
– GMS 5604: Medical Human Embryology 3 Fall, Spring, Summer C
– GMS 5613: Medical Human Anatomy by Diagnostic Imaging 3 Fall, Spring, Summer C
– GMS 6607C: Essential Human Anatomy
   **capstone summer only in Gainesville, FL**
4 Summer
– GMS 6610: Anatomy of the Peripheral Nervous System 3 Fall, Spring, Summer C
Physiology Elective Course Set 5 or more Fall, Spring, Summer C
Students can choose to take GMS 6440 (1 credit) and a minimum of two additional courses (totaling at least 5 credits) listed below    
– GMS 6440: Fundamentals of Medical Physiology 1  
– GMS 6401: Medical Renal Physiology 2  
– GMS 6474: Medical Cardiovascular and Muscle Physiology 3  
– GMS 6402: Medical Pulmonary Physiology 3  
– GMS 6419: Medical Endocrinology and Reproduction 3  
– GMS 6479: Medical Gastrointestinal Physiology 2  
     
Elective Education & Research courses: (Select at least two) Credits Available
– EDG 6356 Teaching, Learning, & Assessment 3 Fall 
– EME 5405: Internet in K-12 Instruction 3 Fall 
– EDF 7486: Methods of Educational Research 3 Summer C

 

Proposed Plan of Study

TermCourseCredits

Fall Year 1 GMS 5605 Medical Anatomy 3
  GMS 5606L Medical Anatomy Lab 3
     
Spring Year 1 GMS 5630 Medical Histology 4
  GMS 5057 Medical Cell Biology 3
     
Summer Year 1 Elective 3
  Elective 4
     
Fall Year 2 Elective 3
  Elective 3
     
Spring Year 2 EME 5207 Designing Technology-Rich Curricula 3
  SCE 5140 Science Curriculum Development 3
  Total 32

 

Course Details

Science Courses

  • GMS 5604: Medical Human Embryology (3 credits)
    This online course provides the basis for the development of the organs of human body.
  • GMS 5605: Medical Anatomy (3 credits)
    This online course uses regional and system-based approaches to teach the organization of the anatomy of the human body.
  • GMS 5606L: Medical Anatomy Lab (3 credits)
    This online laboratory course uses images of human dissections to study the anatomy of the human body.
  • GMS 5613: Medical Human Anatomy by Diagnostic Imaging (3 credits)
    This online course is a systematic approach to visualizing by ultrasound, X-ray, MRI, and CAT the organization of the major structures within the human body.
  • GMS 5630: Medical Histology (4 credits)
    This online course is designed to cover the histology of tissues and organs through lectures and chat sessions.
  • GMS 5057: Medical Cell Biology (3 credits)
    Focus on the basics of cellular structure and function in the context of human health and disease.
  • GMS 6440: Fundamentals of Medical Physiology (1 credit)
    This course teaches the basic functions of the human body at a level required for clinical medicine and basic research in medical physiology.
  • GMS 6401: Medical Renal Physiology (2 credits)
    This course teaches the functions of the renal system of the human body at a level required for clinical medicine and basic research in medical physiology.
  • GMS 6474: Medical Cardiovascular and Muscle Physiology (3 credits)
    This course teaches the functions and regulation of the muscle and the cardiovascular system.
  • GMS 6402: Medical Respiration Physiology (3 credits)
    This course teaches the functions of the pulmonary system of the human body, including the uptake, transport and utilization of oxygen and other blood gases.
  • GMS 6419: Medical Endocrinology and Reproduction (3 credits)
    This course teaches the functions of the endocrine and reproductive systems of the human body.
  • GMS 6479: Medical Gastrointestinal Physiology (2 credits)
    This course teaches the functions of the digestive system of human body.
  • GMS 6607C: Essential Human Anatomy (4 credits)
    This course is taken onsite and includes laboratory dissections to explore the anatomical features of the human body. It is considered a capstone course that “rounds off” the program, allowing students to integrate their various experiences and meet all the anatomical and educational expectations from the program.  
  • GMS 6610: Anatomy of the Peripheral Nervous System (3 credits)
    The normal anatomy of spinal nerves and cranial nerves are studied as well as the results of lesions of these nerves.

Education & Research Courses

  • SCE 5140: Science Curriculum Development (3 credits)
    Al1ows teachers to explore science curriculum development from theoretical and practical perspectives. Focuses on research-based science curriculum and the research and science-specific pedagogical themes underlying their development.
  • EME 5207: Designing Technology-Rich Curricula (3 credits)
    Extensive work in curriculum development utilizing instructional technologies. Contrasting views of curriculum development.
  • EME 5405: Internet in K-12 Instruction (3 credits)
    Preparing preservice teachers, in-service teachers, and teacher educators to use the Internet.
  • EDF 7486: Methods of Educational Research (3 credits)
    Examination of research methodologies. Problem identification as well as organization and presentation of data.

Tuition

Tuition is $550.00 per credit hour.

Students will also be expected to pay university fees, such as the Capital Improvement Trust Fund fee and technology fees, which amount to approximately $36 per credit hour. More information can be found at: http://www.fa.ufl.edu/directive-categories/current-and-former-students/

The program does not currently accept Employee Education Program (EEP) students.

Supervisory Committee

 
College of Medicine College of Education

Daaka, Yehia
Rarey, Kyle
Dunn, William
Nonabur, Venkatesh
Narayan, Satya
Aris, John

De Jong, Ester
Dawson, Kara
Pringle, Rose
Adams, Alyson
Dana, Nancy
Ritzhaupt, Albert
Crippen, Kent
Manley, Corrine

Summer 2024

  • March 18 – Courses open for registration
  • April 8 – Masters application final deadline- all materials (transcripts, etc) must be received by this date
  • April 8 – Readmission deadline
  • May 13 – Classes begin

 

register

Program Contact:

Yehia Daaka, Ph.D
Anatomical Sciences Education MS Program Director
(352) 273-8112
ydaaka@ufl.edu

Mark Zakshvesky
Academic Program Specialist III
(352) 273-8471
zmz30@ufl.edu