Master’s Degree Courses
Anatomy Required Courses
The following courses are required for the master’s degree in medical anatomy and physiology.
GMS 5605 Medical Human Anatomy
This 3-credit course offers an in-depth study of medical human anatomy, focusing on the organization and relationships of major anatomical structures within the thorax, abdomen, head/neck and back/limbs. Key topics include fundamental anatomy concepts and terminology, anatomical organization into functional systems and the critical thinking skills needed to address the clinical consequences of anatomical injuries and disorders.
GMS 5604 Medical Human Embryology
Our 3-credit Medical Human Embryology course provides a thorough examination of human development from fertilization through birth, focusing on the formation and differentiation of tissues and organs. Key topics include the development of the germ discs, skeletal and muscular systems and major organ systems such as the respiratory, cardiovascular and reproductive systems, with special attention to congenital anomalies.
GMS 5630 Medical Histology
This 3-credit course in medical histology delves into the microscopic structure and function of human cells and tissues that comprise organ systems. Students will explore the correlation between cellular and tissue organization with diagnostic imaging techniques such as electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Course goals include providing a foundation in the fundamental concepts of the microscopic anatomy of the human body and developing an understanding of how organ integrity and functions are maintained by the organization of cells and tissues.
Physiology Required Courses
The following courses are required for the master’s degree in medical anatomy and physiology.
GMS 6440 Fundamentals of Medical Physiology
This is an introductory course that teaches the basic functions of the human body. Students explore normal physiology and common diseases in each organ system. Participation in online workshops will help students understand the integration of physiology with genetics, genomics, molecular biology and cellular physiology as a basis for understanding human disease.
GMS 6401 Medical Renal Physiology
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. Students will explore how systems act in an integrated manner to regulate overall body functions and how the failure of these normal physiologic functions and integrations are associated with some diseases.
GMS 6474 Medical Cardiovascular and Muscle Physiology
This course teaches the functions and regulation of the muscle and the cardiovascular system. Students will learn adaptations that occur in response to exercise, the environment and disease and apply their knowledge of these systems to identify when a cardiovascular system may fail when associated with some diseases.
GMS 6402 Medical Respiration Physiology
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. Students will discover acid-base physiology and the mechanisms for controlling pulmonary function and gain an understanding of how the pulmonary system works with other systems.
Anatomy Elective Courses
Take a minimum of 6 anatomy elective credits.
GMS 5606L Medical Anatomy Lab
Our 3-credit Medical Anatomy Lab course offers an in-depth exploration of human anatomy through both regional and systemic approaches, focusing on the relationships and organization of major body structures. Utilizing images of human dissection, alongside diagnostic imaging and pathophysiology, we’ll cover key anatomical systems in four modules: the musculoskeletal system, the skull and sensory organs, the respiratory and cardiovascular systems and the urinary and reproductive systems. This hands-on study provides a comprehensive understanding of anatomical structure and function essential for medical practice.
GMS 5613 Medical Anatomy by Diagnostic Imaging
This 3-credit course provides a systematic approach to visualizing the anatomical organization of major structures within the thorax, abdomen, head/neck and back/limbs regions of the human body. The course emphasizes the correlation of anatomical imaging with transverse, sagittal and coronal human sections, using medical-based scenarios to enhance retention and recall.
GMS 6610 Anatomy of the Peripheral Nervous System
Anatomy of the Peripheral Nervous System will be presented by a combination of online lectures and online laboratory sessions. The anatomy and function of spinal nerves and cranial nerves of the human body will be discussed and observed in 3D human model as well as by anatomical imaging and will be correlated to transverse, sagittal and coronal human sections. Medical-based scenarios, e.g., nerve lesions, will be used to promote retention and recall.
GMS 5057 Medical Cell Biology
This course focuses on the structure and function of human cells (human cell biology) in the context of human health and disease. Lectures focus on normal functions at the molecular and cellular level. Topics include molecules, organelles, cells and cell interactions, regulation, signaling and death. Examples of well-known disease mechanisms are discussed. Normal cell functions are contrasted to functional abnormalities characteristic of the underlying pathophysiology, which are correlated with clinical manifestations where appropriate. Therapeutic approaches and relationships to underlying disease mechanisms are included to illustrate how interventions at the cell biological level restore normal or near normal function and ameliorate clinical symptoms and improve patient prognosis.
Physiology Elective Courses
Take a minimum of 6 physiology elective credits.
GMS 6419 Medical Endocrinology and Reproduction
This course teaches the functions of the endocrine and reproductive systems of the human body. Students will gain an understanding of hormone function, including the hormonal control of reproduction, how the hormonal systems work with other human systems to regulate body functions and the diseases associated with the failure of the endocrine and reproductive systems.
GMS 6479 Medical Gastrointestinal Physiology
This course teaches the functions of the digestive system of human body. Students will explore how the endocrine and neural mechanisms control the gastrointestinal systems and gain an understanding of how the systems act in an integrated manner to regulate overall body functions.
GMS 6410 Physiology of Circulation of Blood
This course exposes students to in-depth discussion and understanding of several aspects of cardiovascular function, including control of cardiac development, vascular and microvascular function, baroreflex and chemoreflex control of the circulation, role of the kidney and central nervous systems in cardiovascular regulation, the maternal and fetal circulation in normal pregnancy and the use of gene therapy tools in cardiovascular research.
GMS 6413 Advances in Hypertension Research
This course delves into important, current aspects of hypertension research. It begins with clinical trials and pharmacogenomics and considers mono- and polygenic forms of hypertension, dietary/environmental influences leading to salt dependent hypertension/metabolic syndrome/type 2 diabetes, neural control of BP and stress-induced hypertension, endothelial dysfunction / inflammation and stem cells in hypertension and hypertension in pregnancy and fetal programming of hypertension.
GMS 6414 Advanced Renal Physiology & Pathophysiology
This course exposes students to in-depth discussion and understanding of several aspects of kidney function, including physiological control of glomerular filtration and glomerular function in renal disease, regulation of renal sodium excretion, morphology of renal transporters, renal mechanisms of acid base balance and the renal physiologic responses to normal pregnancy.
GMS 6470 Advanced Respiration Physiology 1
This courses teaches advanced topics in respiration physiology, including quantitative understanding of atmospheric, alveolar and blood gas pressures, as well as quantitative understanding of oxygen carriage in blood and alterations in blood chemistry that result from changes in blood gases. Students build an understanding of the respiratory physiology concepts in theoretical models.
