MSc in Anatomical Sciences

The Masters of Anatomical Sciences program is a 16-month (September to December of the following year) comprehensive program, preparing its students to be well equipped in both their anatomical knowledge, research experience and practice of teaching. This program is structured around three pillars of competency: content, pedagogy, and inquiry. This is done firstly through the study of the three tenets of anatomy (gross anatomy, histology, and neuroanatomy). Building upon this knowledge, students also get the opportunity to teach these topics to undergraduate students through both teaching assistant and lecture opportunities, as well as conduct a research project of their choosing.

Program Contacts

Program Director
Dr. Leslie Mackenzie
Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences

Program Assistant
Alexa Ward: mscas.admin@queensu.ca

Application Deadline: February 15th

Minimum Entrance Requirements

Candidates will be required to have completed a recognized B.Sc. degree with a background in Biology or Health Sciences or the equivalent professional degree (BNSc, BSc, in Physiotherapy, etc.). The minimum entrance average is set at B+ in the 2nd through 4th year of study.

Application Procedure

Prior to applying, please ensure you have the following documents prepared for your application:

Two references to submit a professional reference form
Academic transcripts
CV (to be sent to Ashley Sheridan: ashley.sheridan@queensu.ca )
Statement of interest (max. 4000 characters)
a list of relevant courses taken
English language proficiency scores (if required)

Start your application through the School of Graduate Studies

Create an account
Fill in all necessary fields
Submit reference contact information and required documents
Submit application

Application deadline: February 15th

Faculty Members

Dr. Charles Graham

Professor and Former Head of the Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology. His research group studies various aspects of cancer progression and the biology of the human placenta and pregnancy complications. Their cancer studies have led to the discovery of mechanisms by which the local tumour microenvironment contributes to the acquisition of metastatic behaviour, ability to evade immune destruction, and resistance to therapy in malignant cells. Their research on pregnancy aims for a better understanding of how adequate placentation is important for a healthy pregnancy; they also study the role of maternal inflammation in the development of pregnancy complications and how complications of pregnancy contribute to increased risk of disease in later life. Dr. Graham has coordinated the Anatomy and Cell Biology graduate program for several years and also coordinates the graduate field in Reproduction and Development.

Dr. Leslie MacKenzie

Dr. MacKenzie is Associate Professor and the Director of the Pattern II MSc Program in Anatomical Sciences. Over the past decade, Dr. MacKenzie has distinguished himself as an outstanding educator in Anatomy. Dr. MacKenzie was the recipient of the 2009 Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching at Queen’s University, attesting to his commitment and innovations in undergraduate education in Anatomy.

Dr. Stephen C. Pang

Dr. Pang is Professor and Former Head (1996-2001; 2002-2007) of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Queen’s University. His research program focuses on the structure and function of the cardiovascular system in health and disease. More recently, Dr. Pang’s research also encompasses the establishment of polymeric devices for peptide drug delivery (with Dr. Brian Amsden, Chemical Engineering, Queen’s University) and the development of tissue-engineered cartilage for joint repair (with Dr. Stephen Waldman, Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Queen’s University). Over the past twenty years, he has been actively establishing internet-based learning resources for students and teachers of Anatomy leading to the debut in 2000 of an internet-based learning resource named Gross Anatomy and Histology Image Catalogue (GAHIC). Dr. Pang was the recipient of the 1998-99 Health Sciences Education Award, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University.

Examples of Thesis Projects

Below are examples of thesis projects for students in our current cohort. Should you be interested in any of the research they are conducting, feel free to use their emails to reach out to them!

Claire: Looking at low degree of freedom joints (knee) and high degree of freedom joints (shoulder), and examining how variations in their relative shape affect injury. Assessing knee and shoulder morphologies associated with injury and determining how they differ from the mean asymptomatic shape. 23kt13@queensu.ca

Kayla: Developing an online educational module on the reproductive system! My thesis consists of me combining textbook images of gross anatomy with cadaveric and histological images to create a comprehensive module that will have levels of information for undergraduate students, graduate students and medical students. 22rs49@queensu.ca

Andrew: Looking into the impact of an alternative immunological therapy, β-glucan administration, on the growth of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer tumours and the overall tumour immune microenvironment in a female mouse model. 18ajb24@queensu.ca

Deidre: Investigating the pathophysiology of endometriosis. 18dmmf@queensu.ca

Rita: Research on abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and its interaction with the gut microbiome. More specifically, looking at the impact of a low FODMAP diet and probiotic treatment on abdominal pain in IBS patients and their interactions with the gut microbiota. 23bg14@queensu.ca

Callie: Working in collaboration with the ATLAS lab at the University of Toronto to investigate and cultivate visual diversity of representations of the human form in anatomy education. 16cjs11@queensu.ca

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easy to get teaching positions when a Queen’s MSc Anatomical Sciences student?

As an MSc Anatomical Sciences student, you will be required to TA at least two in-lab courses by the end of the program, this guarantees at least 2 TA opportunities throughout the 4 semesters. MSc Anatomical Sciences students can always apply to other TA positions and can be accepted the same as any other qualified master's student.

Are professors happy to help?

The professors that work with Masters of Anatomy Students are always happy to help, as long as students remain professional and open to asking for it.

Do you get to collaborate with other people for projects?

While a substantial portion of the program consists of individual work, students in the program will also be working together on a semester-long group dissection, and will take part in group projects throughout their time in the program

How does the program help with professional development?

Not only does the Anatomical Sciences program help further students’ knowledge and expertise in anatomy, but students get opportunities to teach, build lectures on their own, and work in research labs – all of which can be useful in a CV, teaching dossier, as well as help with individual development of one’s professionalism.

Is a Supervisor required for admission?

A supervisor does not need to be confirmed prior to acceptance in the program. At the beginning of the program primary and research supervisors will be discussed.

The breadth of opportunities I have had the privilege of experiencing so far in the program has been amazing. I’ve been able to expand my anatomy knowledge and passion through courses, dissection, lecturing, being a learning facilitator for undergraduate anatomy courses, and unique hands-on experiences in the Anatomy Learning Centre. The staff and faculty involved with the program are incredibly supportive and eager to help you learn and grow as an anatomist. As I begin my second semester, I can’t wait for the many more experiences coming my way in this program, such as doing my thesis, observing an autopsy, creating my own anatomical specimens, and learning advanced histological techniques. - Deirdre Finnigan, Class of 2024