Anatomy and Structural Biology, A Body Of Knowledge
Anatomy – you can’t leave home without it. It’s with you
everywhere you go. It holds you together, it controls what
you do, and it enables you to run, jump and play. There is
more to studying anatomy than immediately meets the eye
– there’s cell biology, neurobiology, clinical and functional
anatomy, body systems, reproductive biology, and
developmental biology.
 Otago is the only New Zealand university that offers a
bachelors degree majoring in Anatomy and Structural Biology.
You have the opportunity to explore the traditional
approaches to studying anatomy as well as using the latest
techniques and hi-tech equipment to explore the human
body at all levels of its structure.
“ I just loved studying anatomy. You could tell the lecturers enjoyed what
they were teaching because they were so enthusiastic about it. You
can’t help but enjoy learning in an environment like that.”
Kirstin McKenzie BSc
Why study and Anatomy and
Structural Biology?
Anatomy and Structural Biology 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 at both the microscopic and
macroscopic levels.
You will learn: 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 the desire to move
is transmitted from the brain to the muscles;
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 brain actually works; how
the reproductive system functions; if the knee
bone really is connected to the thigh bone;
and much more.
Studying papers in Anatomy and Structural
Biology 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.
Background required
You don’t need any particular subjects to get
into the first year papers that lead into Anatomy
and Structural Biology. However, because these
courses are biologically oriented, it is helpful to
have Year 13 biology and chemistry.
Careers in Anatomy and Structural
Biology
An Otago graduate in Anatomy and Structural
Biology has the world at their feet.
Opportunities available to them are varied
and numerous, ranging from research/teaching
in a tertiary environment or technical work
in medical laboratories, to sales, marketing
and research positions with pharmaceutical
or medical companies. One graduate was
even accepted as an apprentice funeral
director! So there is definitely something there
for everyone.
The Department aims to graduate students
who have 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 in a group environment and
extending the skills to think and communicate
ideas, through to having an awareness and
understanding of ethics and developing the
ability to undertake self-directed learning.
And 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 the various research fields
offered here in the Department.
Anatomy and Structural Biology
at Otago
Anatomy and Structural Biology is offered as a
major for the Bachelor of Science (BSc), and BSc
Honours degree programme. We also offer the
Human Reproduction and Development theme
as part of the Biomedical Science (BBiomedSci)
degree. This can be taken at the Bachelor (threeyear)
or Honours (four-year) level.
The Department also contributes to the teaching
of a BSc in Neuroscience, and offers BIOA
(Biological Anthropology) papers as part of a BSc
or BA (Arts) degree.
What does a BSc in ANAT involve?
In your first year you will be introduced to the
structure, function and development of the various
body systems in the human body. You will also
learn about the biology of cells and human genetic
variation, as well as the diversity of microorganisms
and microbial virulence and diseases. In addition,
you will take other general first year Health Science
papers, including Chemistry or Statistics.
At the end of your first year you will have a good
basic knowledge of the whole body, be able to
recognise the different cells, muscles, and organelles
in the body, and be able to tell us if your back
bone really is connected to your shoulder bone
(it’s not by the way)!
The skills and knowledge learnt at first year will
then be developed more in-depth in second and
third year with papers which cover human cells
and systems, neurobiology, reproductive and
developmental biology, functional anatomy, and
cell biology.
Teaching Style
Papers are taught in a lecture and laboratory
format. Laboratory classes are exciting and “handson”
and can involve the use of human material
(including dissection); tissue/cell culture; electron,
light and confocal microscopy; immunohistochemistry;
histology; stereology; molecular
biological techniques; and skeletal forensic
investigations.
Laboratory rooms are well equipped and modern,
and you will have access to hi-tech equipment in
the electron and confocal microscopy units. You
will also be able to study and tour the historic
and world-leading W.D. Trotter Anatomy Museum.
Postgraduate Study
If you wish to take your knowledge beyond third
year, a range of postgraduate opportunities is
available. We have a large family of postgraduate
students and they are vital contributors to the
ongoing research in the Department.
You could find yourself doing an Honours degree,
or a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Science.
Or perhaps a Masters in Science. Or why not aim
high and shoot for a PhD?
ELISHA WHITE
Elisha has always been interested in health and
the human body, and after being introduced to
anatomy as a subject in her first year, she knew
she wanted to major in Anatomy and Structural
Biology.
 Now she works as a Respiratory Technologist at
Greenlane Hospital, Auckland.
Elisha says her degree in anatomy was definitely
beneficial in getting the job. “I use the knowledge
gained from my anatomy degree almost every day.”
In her job, she performs many different respiratory
tests to determine patients’ lung capacity and
oxygen transfer. She also tests patients’ for asthma.
She then reports to the registrars to aid their
diagnosis or to help decide if the patient is suitable
to undergo anesthesia.
She also works in a sleep laboratory where patients
are diagnosed and treated for obstructive sleep
apnea, and has even stood in on a few surgeries!
“I work with a lot of challenging cases, so my job
is always interesting and I am constantly learning
new things.”
Elisha is involved in several respiratory and
cardiology research projects.
“It’s really brilliant being able to work and be
involved in this sort of real-life clinical research.
It really is the best of both the ‘real’ and academic
worlds,” she says.
“I think that having the in-depth knowledge that
I gained with the Anatomy Department has been
especially helpful in understanding the implications
of different disease processes in patients, which
is really important for understanding and
interpreting their test results.”
“I really enjoyed studying at the Anatomy
Department, and now I have a great job that I
love! It makes me feel really happy about my
choice to major in anatomy.”
Further information
Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, University
of Otago, PO Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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