Anatomical Sciences Academics
The Division of Anatomical Sciences (DAS) is committed to training the future leaders of healthcare at the University of Michigan Medical School. The division provides courses in the focus areas of medical, dental and anatomy education.
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Services & Programs
- Anatomical Consulting & Collaborations: DAS faculty are interested and available for consulting and collaborative endeavors with students, faculty, and staff. Please see faculty profiles for areas of interest and specialization, or contact Director Dr. B. Kathleen Alsup for assistance.
- MOOCs: As educators at a premier public university, anatomy faculty are dedicated to sharing educational opportunities with extramural students. Drs. B. Kathleen Alsup, Glenn M. Fox, and Kelli Sullivan developed system-based human anatomy curricula for Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) offered through Coursera to support the foundational student of anatomy. These courses may be taken for free, or students may earn a certificate for a fee. Offered year-round.
- Plastinated Anatomical Donor Specimens: The division maintains a sizable collection of permanently preserved anatomical materials, including large plastinated collections. Some of these materials are on loan to other U-M colleges as well as external colleges and universities. Dr. Amanda Kingston and Dr. Mary Orczykowski curate these collections, and may be contacted for inquiries.
- Donor Requests & Laboratory Booking: Requests for anatomical donors and/or laboratory use are facilitated through the Anatomical Donations Program. Please contact Clayne Frazer at (734) 764-4359 or [email protected] for more information.
- Mark Womble Research & Training in Anatomical Science Fund: Anatomical Sciences (DAS) offers support for graduate and undergraduate research and scholarly activity that is open to all students engaged in DAS curricula or research.
- These grants support smaller pilot projects, resources for training, or conference presentations (up to $1,000).
- Deadlines: Feb. 10, 2026 & Sept. 23, 2026
- Proposals are chosen competitively based on the quality of the proposal and the availability of funds. For more information, email [email protected].
- Apply
Curricula
M1 Scientific Trunk (Foundations in Anatomy): The course provides first year medical students with the content and context they need to be successful as future clinicians. Lectures, small groups, and dissection laboratory sessions support M1 curricular blocks, and provide students with a carefully integrated exploration of regional gross anatomy. Offered Fall-Winter semesters. Team taught. Course directors: Drs. B. Kathleen Alsup & Glenn M. Fox.
M2 Clinical Trunk (Anatomy in Surgery and the Applied Sciences Clerkship): Within the applied sciences of the surgical clerkship, the anatomy week focuses on review of clinically important anatomy and introduction of regional and applied clinical anatomy of the head and neck. Students complete video lectures at their own pace, and work through dissection laboratory sessions with anatomy faculty to achieve an understanding of the high yield clinical regions of the head and neck. Offered year-round. Course directors: Drs. David Brzezinski & Mary Orczykowski.
Head and Neck Anatomy Teaching Elective in the Branches (M3/M4): In this course (OTO 8155), medical students in the Branches curriculum (M3/M4) serve as teaching assistants in M2 Anatomy to advance their understanding of head and neck anatomy and its clinical applications. This course is particularly suited for students planning to pursue residency training in Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Plastic Surgery. This 4-week elective is offered year-round. Course Directors: Drs. Lauren Bohm, David Brzezinski, and Mary Orczykowski.
- M4 Residency Preparatory Courses: OBGYN Anatomy Lead: David Brzezinski & Mary Orczykowski; Ophthalmology Anatomy Lead: Kelli Sullivan; Orthopedic Surgery Anatomy Lead: Amanda Kingston & Mary Orczykowski; Otolaryngology Anatomy Lead: David Brzezinski.
DENT 545 Head & Neck Anatomy: The course provides first semester dental students with a rigorous and expansive understanding of the anatomy of the head and neck. Lectures and dissection laboratories provide students with didactic and active learning required for mastery of the anatomy of these regions. Offered Spring-Summer. Team taught. Course directors: Drs. Glenn M. Fox & Amanda Kingston
D1 & D2 Systems-based Sequences: Anatomy faculty participate as lecturers and laboratory guides for first- and second-year dental students as they complete foundational systems sequences. Offered year-round. Coordinator: Dr. Kathleen Alsup.
- D3 Advanced Head and Neck Anatomy: Applied Clinical Head & Neck Anatomy provides third year dental students with the opportunity to develop a robust understanding of the science of the anatomy of the head and neck to apply to clinical care. Lectures, a hands-on lab, and an active patient examination bridge the gap between the anatomy learned in preclinical years with their future practice as clinicians. Offered Spring-Summer semesters. Course director: Dr. David Brzezinski.
- Anatomy 613 Head & Neck Anatomy for Dental Residents: This course will review the anatomy of the head and neck regions with an emphasis on the oral cavity and the clinical application of anatomy. Offered Fall semester. Course Director: Dr. David Brzezinski.
- Anatomy 303 Introduction to Human Anatomy (Online): Anatomy 303 is an online human anatomy course that introduces students to fundamental anatomical concepts using a systems-based approach and a vast library of multimedia materials. The course is divided into four assessment blocks that include: 1) Neuroanatomy, 2) Musculoskeletal and Integumentary anatomy, 3) Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Renal anatomy and 4) Reproductive, Gastrointestinal and Endocrine anatomy. All course materials (lecture videos) are available for the entire span of the course. Offered Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer semesters. Course Director: Dr. Kelli Sullivan
- Anatomy 403 Human Structure and Function: Human Anatomy (ANAT 403) offers students with a broad understanding of systems-based human anatomy. Lectures and curated observational lab sessions provide students with the understanding of human anatomy needed to apply and be successful in their future programs and careers. Team taught. Offered Fall & Winter semesters. Course director: Dr. Kelli Sullivan.
- Anatomy 503 Human Anatomy Dissection Lab: Students build on preexisting knowledge of the anatomy through dissection of human anatomical donors. All systems of the body are covered through a regional approach. Emphasis will be on important 3D relationships and clinical applications. Offered Fall semester. Course Director: Dr. Mary Orczykowski
- Anatomy 510 Anatomy Teaching Experience: Anatomy 510 is a companion course to Anatomy 403 that allows previously successful 403 students with the opportunity to develop as anatomy educators. Students work with anatomy faculty to build and refine their anatomy knowledge and teaching skills as teaching assistants in ANAT 403 labs. Offered Fall & Winter semesters. Course director: Dr. Mary Orczykowski.
Human Anatomy & Physiology Minor
The Division of Anatomical Sciences partners with the Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology to offer a minor in Human Anatomy & Physiology for undergraduate students in the College of Literature, Science, and Arts (LSA). This minor prepares students planning careers in the fields of care, biomedical research, health-related education, or healthcare innovation with comprehensive knowledge of the human body.
