Anatomy courses 2013

Original post by Jasgatch03

Hey guys

Just wondering if any students, studying anatomy courses currently or in the past, can give me information on what the course is like? And what its like for those students studying in a university which allows dissection of cadavers?

thank you :colondollar:

Hey, I'm about to go into 4th year Anatomy(BSc Hons) at the University of Glasgow - I really don't know what other uni's do, so I can't be of much help if you're looking for anywhere else!
At Glasgow you study a kind of general biology in first year, then you choose specific modules in second year which will prepare you for going into anatomy in third year. There are different blocks, so we did Head and Neck, Upper Limb, Cell Biology, Neuroanatomy and Developmental Biology. We used prosections for Head and Neck, and then we dissected in Upper Limb and Neuroanatomy - I found the dissection enjoyable and really did feel like I was taking everything in a lot better than when we used prosections because you were actually finding things yourself and could really grasp everything.
I can't tell you much about fourth year as we haven't started yet, but we do different blocks and you have a choice for each one, then we also have the projects.

I don't know if I've described everything that well, so I'm happy to answer any other questions you have =)

Reply 2

alex193

17

Original post by Jasgatch03

Hey guys

Just wondering if any students, studying anatomy courses currently or in the past, can give me information on what the course is like? And what its like for those students studying in a university which allows dissection of cadavers?

thank you :colondollar:

I'm a medical student, but here at Nottingham we still do cadaveric dissections. I've just copied and pasted something I did on another thread here :tongue:

For anatomy, we're one of the few medical schools to get the privilege of doing cadaveric dissections. Personally, I believe that this is the single best tool for learning anatomy that we could possibly have; there is no way one could possibly render the intricacy and interconnectedness of the human body in books or models - getting stuck in, in the most literal sense of the phrase, is far and away the best way to truly appreciate the relationships between the structures of the human body. We work in groups of 10 to a cadaver, 5 at a time, and over the course of the year we dissect, system by system, in tandem with what we're studying in lectures. In the first term of dissection (from January) we examined the anterior chest wall, heart, lungs, mediastinum, anterior neck triangles, axilla, shoulder joint, upper arm, brachial plexus, forearm, hip, thigh, knee, leg and hands and feet. I know this sounds like a lot to get through, but the course is well-structured and in addition to the timetabled sessions, there's drop-in classes for revision where you can use the prosected remains and models to learn. There are few schools that still offer the opportunity to do this, and I certainly think it's the single best way of learning anatomy. Working with human remains is also a part of the experience - we get introduced to the fragility and mortality of the human form, and we're taught not to see the cadavers as specimens or as cases, but as our first patients. We work with them for a whole year, and in a way we're never going to know anyone in such depth again. It's a unique and privileged experience to be able to learn like this, with these donated bodies, and I really feel it's one of the best things Nottingham offers. There's a committal ceremony at the end of the year, where we get a chance to say 'thanks and goodbye' to our donors and often their families which is a very moving way to round off the course; strange as it may sound, you do form a bit of a 'bond' with your cadaver. The first session is a very odd experience - certainly for me, it was the first time I'd ever seen a dead person, let alone cut into one, and I felt terrible about it at first. But as the course goes on and your understanding and dissection skills grow, peeling back the layers, searching for unique variations from the norm, displaying all the parts, becomes very natural and absolutely fascinating. Most groups name their 'silent teachers' which really brings home the human aspect of it as well.

I also make prosections in my free time - I'm currently finishing off an upper limb demonstrating the innervations right from the roots of the brachial plexus to the nerve branches and even the cutaneous nerves of the forearm, which took a damned long time I tell you :biggrin:

Reply 3

OP

Wow thanks guys that sounds great because I am also considering postgraduate medicine so I was wondering if these types of courses would benefit me in medicine?

Also I heard that anatomy courses are often small around 30 people is this true ? because I think there would be a sense of closeness and you would be comfortable asking lecturers more unlike if your in a lecture theatre with about 150 students.

Thanks for the reply

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Reply 4

katyness

16

I bought Acland's DVDs, they were really good.

Reply 5

OP

Original post by kirsten1992

Hey, I'm about to go into 4th year Anatomy(BSc Hons) at the University of Glasgow - I really don't know what other uni's do, so I can't be of much help if you're looking for anywhere else!
At Glasgow you study a kind of general biology in first year, then you choose specific modules in second year which will prepare you for going into anatomy in third year. There are different blocks, so we did Head and Neck, Upper Limb, Cell Biology, Neuroanatomy and Developmental Biology. We used prosections for Head and Neck, and then we dissected in Upper Limb and Neuroanatomy - I found the dissection enjoyable and really did feel like I was taking everything in a lot better than when we used prosections because you were actually finding things yourself and could really grasp everything.
I can't tell you much about fourth year as we haven't started yet, but we do different blocks and you have a choice for each one, then we also have the projects.

I don't know if I've described everything that well, so I'm happy to answer any other questions you have =)

Just wondering what was your first year like? What did you have to learn and how big we're the classes?

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Reply 6

OP

Original post by alex193

I'm a medical student, but here at Nottingham we still do cadaveric dissections. I've just copied and pasted something I did on another thread here :tongue:

I also make prosections in my free time - I'm currently finishing off an upper limb demonstrating the innervations right from the roots of the brachial plexus to the nerve branches and even the cutaneous nerves of the forearm, which took a damned long time I tell you :biggrin:

Did you do medicine as undergrad or post grad? How hard is it to get into? Because I heard a lot of people saying its almost close to impossible to get in is this true?

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Reply 7

alex193

17

Original post by Jasgatch03

Did you do medicine as undergrad or post grad? How hard is it to get into? Because I heard a lot of people saying its almost close to impossible to get in is this true?

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Undergrad, and yes it's hard - it's one of the most oversubscribed courses along with vetsci. I believe that postgrad is even more competitive?

Reply 8

Original post by Jasgatch03

Just wondering what was your first year like? What did you have to learn and how big we're the classes?

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At Glasgow you take 3 subjects, so you'd need to take Biology, and also Chemistry or Science Fundamentals(for those who didn't do A Level/Higher chemistry at school) and then the third subject choice is pretty much free, a lot of people took psychology or maths, but I took latin, you could take just about anything as long as it fits into your timetable.

In first year the class size was huge, I think in total there were like 600 people taking biology, but there were 3 different times you could attend the lecture so you never saw all those people at once. This included people who were taking biology as their 2nd or 3rd subjects, so not all of them went on to take it in second year.
The course was pretty varied in first year, a bit of everything - there was some environmental stuff, genetics, immunology, cell biology, plant biology, human biology. It did(and still does) feel like a lot of stuff, but the exam was half multiple choice, so it wasn't too bad really. I found getting the variety really helped me decide what I did and didn't want to do, as I originally came to uni to study zoology, but first year made me realise I really wasn't into it that much and definitely preferred the human side of things!

Class size got smaller in second year as everyone took the modules they wanted to so they could get into their desired degree course.

My class(for 3rd+4th year) is 30, which I find a good size - it's easy to get to know everyone, and I definitely feel like the lecturers get to know you a bit better as well which makes it easier to ask questions. Like said in an above post, there definitely is that closeness.

Reply 9

OP

Original post by alex193

Undergrad, and yes it's hard - it's one of the most oversubscribed courses along with vetsci. I believe that postgrad is even more competitive?

Yeah I am aware of how competitive it is and I'm also worried because its my dream to do medicine and I think it being too competitive will definitely decrease my chances. Can I ask what was the application process like for you and what things did you do to increase your chances?

Thanks

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Reply 10

OP

Original post by kirsten1992

At Glasgow you take 3 subjects, so you'd need to take Biology, and also Chemistry or Science Fundamentals(for those who didn't do A Level/Higher chemistry at school) and then the third subject choice is pretty much free, a lot of people took psychology or maths, but I took latin, you could take just about anything as long as it fits into your timetable.

In first year the class size was huge, I think in total there were like 600 people taking biology, but there were 3 different times you could attend the lecture so you never saw all those people at once. This included people who were taking biology as their 2nd or 3rd subjects, so not all of them went on to take it in second year.
The course was pretty varied in first year, a bit of everything - there was some environmental stuff, genetics, immunology, cell biology, plant biology, human biology. It did(and still does) feel like a lot of stuff, but the exam was half multiple choice, so it wasn't too bad really. I found getting the variety really helped me decide what I did and didn't want to do, as I originally came to uni to study zoology, but first year made me realise I really wasn't into it that much and definitely preferred the human side of things!

Class size got smaller in second year as everyone took the modules they wanted to so they could get into their desired degree course.

My class(for 3rd+4th year) is 30, which I find a good size - it's easy to get to know everyone, and I definitely feel like the lecturers get to know you a bit better as well which makes it easier to ask questions. Like said in an above post, there definitely is that closeness.

Wow that does seem varied! When u were applying to university, other than Glasgow what other unis and courses did u apply for?

Thanks

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Reply 11

Original post by Jasgatch03

Wow that does seem varied! When u were applying to university, other than Glasgow what other unis and courses did u apply for?

Thanks

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Well I originally applied for Zoology, so I hadn't looked at Anatomy anywhere else! But I also applied to Dundee and Edinburgh, but I knew I wanted to go to Glasgow, so they were just really there to have another option just in case I didn't get in

Reply 12

OP

Ahh right how hard was first year how did you cope? And also since there was 600 people in the first year, were u able to talk to someone of u were struggling with something? What did you like about the anatomy course in Glasgow?

Thank you!

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(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 13

Original post by Jasgatch03

Ahh right how hard was first year how did you cope? And also since there was 600 people in the first year, were u able to talk to someone of u were struggling with something? What did you like about the anatomy course in Glasgow?

Thank you!

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First year was fine, it was a bit stressful around exam time, but I guess I expected that! I found as long as I kept up with lecture notes, that studying was easier - for first semester it took me a while to find a studying rhythm and to find what studying suited me, so I fell a bit behind with notes and was definitely worried at the christmas exam, however second semester was a lot better as you already had an idea of how much work was needed and how you go about studying.
Everyone is given an advisor of studies, and they have meetings with you 2 or 3 times a year and always ask how you are doing with studies, so it's easy to ask them. The labs are much smaller, there's maybe about 40 people, it might have changed now, but when I was in first year there was always plenty of time, there were always a few lab leaders and several lab demonstrators around who you could ask anything to. Plus there's usually time at the end of lectures, in my year there were always people going up to lecturers to ask questions, they usually don't mind and are happy to clarify anything. Most of them will also give you an email address so you can email them if you find any problems later on.

At Glasgow I like that you don't specialise to your degree until 3rd year, this gives you the chance to experience other areas of biology which you might not have previously considered, and means that if you get to second year and find you'd prefer a different course, it's fine, you don't need to start your degree all over again.
In 3rd year I like that the anatomy class is small, and I really like the different modules that we did - there is a good variety so it did help me decide what I might like to do for a career afterwards. I'm not really sure what else, I just really like it! I'm not very good with words really! But the staff are nice, and always helpful, along with the lab demonstrators, who are all anatomy graduates themselves, so they're good to talk to about the course.

Reply 14

themedicalgeek

12

Original post by Jasgatch03

Did you do medicine as undergrad or post grad? How hard is it to get into? Because I heard a lot of people saying its almost close to impossible to get in is this true?

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Hi, just to let you know that it isn't close to impossible to get an offer - Yes most med schools have ~10-15 applicants per place but if you have a good combination of work experience, voluntary work put into a well crafted personal statement as well as good grades then you should get an offer if you perform well at interview.

It takes a lot of effort to get everything right but it isn't impossible unless you don't meet the minimum entry requirements as stated in the prospectus for each uni and you also must apply to where you have the highest chance of getting in, personal preference goes out the window unfortunately unless you have a fantastic application.

There are people with great all round applications who get rejected but usually the reason is less obvious such as poor interview performance, poor personal statement, lack of understanding of the role of a doctor etc..

Reply 15

OP

Original post by kirsten1992

First year was fine, it was a bit stressful around exam time, but I guess I expected that! I found as long as I kept up with lecture notes, that studying was easier - for first semester it took me a while to find a studying rhythm and to find what studying suited me, so I fell a bit behind with notes and was definitely worried at the christmas exam, however second semester was a lot better as you already had an idea of how much work was needed and how you go about studying.
Everyone is given an advisor of studies, and they have meetings with you 2 or 3 times a year and always ask how you are doing with studies, so it's easy to ask them. The labs are much smaller, there's maybe about 40 people, it might have changed now, but when I was in first year there was always plenty of time, there were always a few lab leaders and several lab demonstrators around who you could ask anything to. Plus there's usually time at the end of lectures, in my year there were always people going up to lecturers to ask questions, they usually don't mind and are happy to clarify anything. Most of them will also give you an email address so you can email them if you find any problems later on.

At Glasgow I like that you don't specialise to your degree until 3rd year, this gives you the chance to experience other areas of biology which you might not have previously considered, and means that if you get to second year and find you'd prefer a different course, it's fine, you don't need to start your degree all over again.
In 3rd year I like that the anatomy class is small, and I really like the different modules that we did - there is a good variety so it did help me decide what I might like to do for a career afterwards. I'm not really sure what else, I just really like it! I'm not very good with words really! But the staff are nice, and always helpful, along with the lab demonstrators, who are all anatomy graduates themselves, so they're good to talk to about the course.

What was the exams like was it multiple choice? Or was it a variety of assessments? And for one exam how many modules or topics were covered ? Was it a lot?

Thanks for answering! Sorry for having lots of questions haha!

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Reply 16

OP

Original post by themedicalgeek

Hi, just to let you know that it isn't close to impossible to get an offer - Yes most med schools have ~10-15 applicants per place but if you have a good combination of work experience, voluntary work put into a well crafted personal statement as well as good grades then you should get an offer if you perform well at interview.

It takes a lot of effort to get everything right but it isn't impossible unless you don't meet the minimum entry requirements as stated in the prospectus for each uni and you also must apply to where you have the highest chance of getting in, personal preference goes out the window unfortunately unless you have a fantastic application.

There are people with great all round applications who get rejected but usually the reason is less obvious such as poor interview performance, poor personal statement, lack of understanding of the role of a doctor etc..

Yeah I I think I might be at a huge disadvantage because my gcse was bad I got ABBBCCCCC and I didn't pick a levels I did Btec applied science instead, but do u think if I work hard at personal statement, work experience and getting the entry criteria I can get in? I am extremely worried about my gcse and Btec I don't know if universities would take this into consideration and assume that I'm not academically able to do the course? I'm really worried because its my dream to do medicine!

Thank you for your answers!

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Reply 17

themedicalgeek

12

Original post by Jasgatch03

Yeah I I think I might be at a huge disadvantage because my gcse was bad I got ABBBCCCCC and I didn't pick a levels I did Btec applied science instead, but do u think if I work hard at personal statement, work experience and getting the entry criteria I can get in? I am extremely worried about my gcse and Btec I don't know if universities would take this into consideration and assume that I'm not academically able to do the course? I'm really worried because its my dream to do medicine!

Thank you for your answers!

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You will have to look at the minimum requirement for GCSEs and see if they will accept BTEC, if they don't, there is no point applying to that med school.

If you do meet them, your personal statement and entrance test (UKCAT, if needed) score would have to be pretty outstanding to make your application competitive. Although if you have any extenuating circumstances then you may be offered some leniency when it comes to considering your application if you mention it.

Reply 18