Professional degree: MCA
Faculty: https://medicine.uiowa.edu/acb/profile
Website: https://medicine.uiowa.edu/acb/
The Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology performs three major functions. It teaches human anatomy to students preparing for careers in the health care professions; provides advanced courses, teaching experience, and research training to graduate students preparing for careers in academic research and related scientific fields; and conducts original research on the biological basis of cellular functions and human disease processes.
Preclinical Study
The department contributes to the preclinical education of health care professionals by providing major courses in gross anatomy, cell biology, histology, and neuroscience.
Graduate Study
The department offers the cell and developmental biology subprogram for a PhD in biomedical science in the Biomedical Science Program. It also participates in the Carver College of Medicine's Medical Scientist Training Program and the Graduate College's Molecular Medicine, Immunology, Genetics, and Neuroscience Programs. On occasion, students are directly admitted to a Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology laboratory by arrangement with the laboratory director.
Professional Study
The Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology offers a professional degree, the Master of Clinical Anatomy (MCA).
Graduate Programs of Study
Majors
- Master of Science in Anatomy and Cell Biology
- Doctor of Philosophy in Anatomy and Cell Biology
Students interested in doctoral studies in cell and developmental biology should apply under the umbrella program in Biomedical Science (select cell and developmental biology subprogram). Direct applications to the MS and PhD in anatomy and cell biology are not currently being considered.
Professional Program of Study
Major
The department occupies more than 35,000 square feet in the Bowen Science Building on the University of Iowa health sciences campus. The building houses modern teaching facilities and well-equipped research laboratories. The most modern instrumentation is available, including facilities and equipment for digital microscopic imaging, confocal microscopy, molecular biological techniques, tissue culture, and protein chemistry. Other specialized equipment (e.g., electron microscopes, mass spectrophotometers) is available in other facilities. Through collaborative programs with the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, faculty and students also have access to outstanding research facilities throughout the university's health sciences campus.
Anatomy and Cell Biology Courses
ACB:3110 Principles of Human Anatomy 3 s.h.
Gross and microscopic human anatomy; systemic approach to regional anatomy with emphasis on clinical relevance; optional tutorial sessions. Offered fall semesters. Requirements: pharmacy, pre-nursing, or associated medical sciences major.
ACB:3122 Independent Study in Anatomy and Cell Biology arr.
Projects arranged with department faculty members.
ACB:5108 Human Anatomy 5 s.h.
Regional dissection, lectures, demonstrations; areas important to physical therapists, particularly the upper and lower extremities. Offered fall semesters. Requirements: physical therapy and rehabilitation science enrollment.
ACB:5203 Gross Human Anatomy for Graduate Students 5-6 s.h.
Regional dissection, lectures, demonstrations, tutorials, discussions, seminars; clinically relevant areas of anatomical radiology, surface anatomy with clinical correlations. Requirements: enrollment in Master of Clinical Anatomy program.
ACB:5206 Graduate Research in Cell and Developmental Biology arr.
Individual laboratory research training in anatomical sciences.
ACB:5210 General Histology Online 3 s.h.
Histology of all tissues of human body starting with basic tissues and working through systems of the body; linked in sequence to ACB:5203 so that students learn about related content at the same time in anatomy and histology; recorded lectures, online modules, and extensive use of Virtual Microscope. Requirements: enrollment in Master of Clinical Anatomy program.
ACB:5218 Microscopy for Biomedical Research arr.
Basic microscopy methods for research including optics, preparation, and analysis of biomedical specimens; light, fluorescence, confocal, transmitting electron, scanning electron, atomic force microscopes, elemental analysis; immunochemistry and stereology techniques; individualized laboratory instruction. Prerequisites: BIOL:2723. Same as BIOL:5218, MICR:5218.
ACB:5224 Graduate Seminar in Cell and Developmental Biology 0-1 s.h.
Current research, literature. Requirements: cell and developmental biology graduate standing.
ACB:6000 Human Anatomy for Advanced Practice 4 s.h.
Integrated study of interrelationships between anatomic structure and physiological function in health and disease at various points in the lifespan; mechanisms governing and supporting cellular, organ, and system function; internal milieu; relationship of study to clinical assessment of functional integrity of individual organ systems utilizing pertinent objective and subjective data; implications of pathophysiology for anesthesia and implications of anesthesia for pathophysiology; foundation for clinical practicums and courses in nurse anesthesia. Requirements: completion of an undergraduate human anatomy and physiology course and admission to anesthesia nursing program. Same as NURS:6000.
ACB:6200 Special Topics in Genetics 1 s.h.
Focus is on a broad topic of central importance to genetics and biology as a whole; invited speakers are distinguished researchers from institutions across the country and within the University of Iowa, their work grounded in genetics, and cover diverse topics using a wide range of genetic model systems and approaches; seminar series. Same as GENE:6200.
ACB:6220 Mechanisms of Cellular Organization 3 s.h.
Current understanding of basic cell biological processes; key experiments that led to guiding insights; mechanisms that cells use for compartmentalization and how those mechanisms are regulated; biogenesis of major organelles (e.g., mitochondria, peroxisomes, nucleus, secretory/endocytic membrane system); functions of cytoskeleton in cell motility, organelle motility, and cell division. Prerequisites: BMB:3130. Same as MMED:6220, MPB:6220.
ACB:6226 Cell Cycle Control 1 s.h.
Cell cycle regulation, DNA damage-dependent cell cycle regulation, redox-dependent cell cycle regulation, cellular senescence. Same as MMED:6226, MPB:6226.
ACB:6227 Cell Fate Decisions 1 s.h.
Cellular fate decisions including signal integration, terminal differentiation in development, mechanisms of embryonic stem cell gene regulation/cellular reprogramming, cell death paradigms, and cell death in development and cancer. Same as MMED:6227, MPB:6227.
ACB:6237 Critical Thinking in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 1 s.h.
How nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates interact to influence the function of cells and tissues; how molecules drive signaling pathways and cellular processes essential for biological functions; based on research publications.
ACB:6238 Critical Thinking in Genetics 1 s.h.
Current topics in molecular and classical genetics; emphasis on genetic underpinnings of disease; based on primary research publications.
ACB:6239 Critical Thinking in Cell Biology 1 s.h.
Understanding subcellular organization and intercellular communication; emphasis on critical thinking and primary research publications.
ACB:6248 Critical Thinking in Development 1 s.h.
Current topics in molecular basis of vertebrate development; based on primary research publications.
ACB:6249 Critical Thinking in Cellular Physiology 1 s.h.
Control of physiological systems at the cellular level; emphasis on regulation by molecular signaling pathways; literature based.
ACB:6250 Critical Thinking in Scientific Writing and Presentations 1 s.h.
Scientific grant writing, particularly specific aims development, and oral presentations. Requirements: second-year standing in cell and developmental biology graduate program.
ACB:6252 Functional Neuroanatomy arr.
Basic principles of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology; emphasis on human central nervous system; laboratory emphasis on anatomical study of spinal cord and brain. Offered spring semesters. Requirements: physical therapy and rehabilitation science enrollment or graduate standing. Same as PTRS:6253.
ACB:6265 Neuroscience Seminar 0-1 s.h.
Research presentations. Same as BIOL:6265, MPB:6265, NSCI:6265, PSY:6265.
ACB:7001 Teaching and Learning in the Anatomical Sciences 2 s.h.
Strategies involved in anatomical sciences education including interactive lecturing, dissection, peer teaching/learning, plastination, virtual microscopy, simulation, case presentation, and assessment techniques; recorded lectures and online modules. Requirements: enrollment in Master of Clinical Anatomy program.
ACB:7002 Seminar in Anatomical Sciences 1 s.h.
Opportunity to discuss peer-reviewed anatomical, clinical, and education research articles as related to issues of teaching in anatomical sciences; student- and/or faculty-led presentations prompt further discussion of various in-depth studies that focus on bringing current information into the classroom. Requirements: enrollment in Master of Clinical Anatomy program.
ACB:7010 Anatomy Through Imaging 2 s.h.
Exploration of anatomy through basic imaging techniques; online modules and in-class activities; focus on identification of normal structures through application of anatomical concepts. Requirements: enrollment in Master of Clinical Anatomy program.
ACB:7020 Human Embryology Online 2 s.h.
Major events of embryologic development in humans; more of a morphologic focus than a molecular focus, including important molecular concepts of development; backstory of adult human anatomy and how various birth defects occur. Offered spring semesters. Prerequisites: ACB:5203 or ACB:8101 or ACB:5108. Requirements: enrollment in Master of Clinical Anatomy program.
ACB:7227 Anatomic Study for Teaching 2-3 s.h.
Experience completing a detailed dissection of a region of the human body; opportunity to create models depicting anatomical concepts. Requirements: enrollment in Master of Clinical Anatomy program.
ACB:7400 Practicum in College Teaching for Master of Clinical Anatomy 1-4 s.h.
Supervised college teaching experience; teaching in collaboration with faculty, observation and critiques of teaching, participation in course planning and evaluation procedures; ethical and multicultural considerations. Recommendations: enrollment in Master of Clinical Anatomy program.
ACB:8101 Medical Gross Human Anatomy 5 s.h.
Complete dissection of the body with regional emphasis stressing relationships to the living system; clinically relevant areas of radiologic imaging, surface anatomy, embryology, and clinical correlations; anatomical knowledge through lectures, small group work, independent activities. Offered fall semesters. Requirements: MD or MPA enrollment.
ACB:8120 Human Gross Anatomy for Dental Students 6 s.h.
Exploration of gross anatomy of human body including thorax, abdomen, and upper limb; extensive focus on head, neck, and neuroanatomy; regional and systemic approaches; course sequence and assessment blended with general histology for dental students; cadaveric dissections closely follow lecture sequence; emphasis on correlations to dental practice. Offered spring semesters. Requirements: DDS enrollment.
ACB:8121 General Histology for Dental Students 4 s.h.
Microscopic study of cells, fundamental tissues, and organ systems; emphasis on tooth-related structures. Offered spring semesters. Requirements: DDS enrollment or anatomy and cell biology graduate standing.
ACB:8401 Advanced Human Anatomy arr.
Regional dissection of the body with emphasis on systems relevant to student's specialty interests; discussion, reading, clinically relevant imaging, embryology. Offered spring semesters. Requirements: fourth-year MD enrollment or graduate standing.
ACB:8402 Teaching Elective in Regional Anatomy 2,4 s.h.
Students expand knowledge and experience in medical education; investigation of educational pedagogy in a laboratory setting coupled with self-directed learning of anatomical content relevant to professional development; preparation, design, and implementation of four teaching interactions with year one medical, dental, and physician assistant (M1/D1/PA1) students; designing a classroom exercise (e.g., interactive lecture, learning activity, computer-based study module) that helps bridge the basic science content with clinical procedure. Requirements: MD standing and enrollment in teaching distinction track.
ACB:8405 Advanced Clinical Neuroanatomy 2 s.h.
Focused training in interpretation of cross-sectional neuroanatomy at a level far exceeding what is currently taught in preclinical curriculum; builds on prior training in diagnostic neuroimaging of the human brain during first and second phases of the medical curriculum, producing postgraduate year one (PGY-1) level of readiness interpreting structural brain images; core knowledge and skills of neurological examination applied within context of clinical problems. Requirements: MD enrollment.
ACB:8498 Special Study On Campus arr.
Anatomy research on campus; individually arranged. Requirements: MD enrollment.