The Master of Science Program in Modern Human Anatomy (MHA) provides graduate level training and teaching experience in the physical and virtual anatomical sciences. The curriculum integrates 3D computer imaging and modeling with human cadaver dissection, neuroanatomy, histology, and embryology.
This is you: a student at CU Anschutz in the Master’s of Modern Human Anatomy Program. This is you: in state of the art facilities doing full body human donor dissections. This is you: exploring the human body in 3D using the Visible Human Dissector that was developed through the National Library of Medicine. This is you: surface scanning and 3D printing anatomical models. This is you: doing digital dissection through augmented reality. Modern Anatomy: it’s the use of digital imaging such as ultrasound, CT and MRI. It’s conducting research that impacts patient care. Here at CU Anschutz, students don’t just learn gross anatomy, but learn histology, embryology, and neuroanatomy, as well as courses in digital modeling, using MAYA, UnrealEngine, and Blender. It’s combining biology and technology, with creativity and discovery. It’s discovering who you are and who you want to be. So you might ask yourself: What is Modern Human Anatomy? We are Modern Human Anatomy.
Modern Human Anatomy in the News
MHA Takes Over Toronto
Students, Alumni, and Faculty attend American Association of Anatomy Conference
Jul 15, 2024
The Modern Human Anatomy program sponsored travel for six students to attend the American Association of Anatomy annual conference in Toronto, Ontario, in March. Five students presented their research during poster presentations, while Hailey Wilkinson was invited to give an oral presentation outlining her work. The MHA students were joined by MHA faculty and many MHA alumni who are active in higher education, industry, and the anatomy community. The MHA-ers joined together to celebrate at the end of the conference (pictured at left).
Students attending AAA received the MHA Travel Award, in addition to the AAA Travel Award, which covered the full cost of conference attendance and travel. Supporting student conference travel is another way that the Master's in Modern Human Anatomy stands out, not only as a masters in Colorado, but as one of the top anatomy programs in the country. MHA helps to remove the financial barriers of attending one national conference, and ensures that students have the opportunity to present their work, learn from top researchers, and network with professionals in their desired discipline.
The MSMHA program was a great experience, with great faculty that serve as mentors and encourage you to explore things you are intellectually curious about. The program prepared me well for medical school and beyond. The flexibility of the second year curriculum allowed me to explore my interests and led me to the medical specialty of anatomic and clinical pathology. The strong foundation in the anatomic sciences that was built in this program is put into practice daily, from gross dissection of surgical specimens, to using microscopic anatomy when I look at glass slides to render a pathologic diagnosis for patient care. Not only do I use my anatomic training daily, I am using the training I received in various imaging modalities and technologies to understand current innovations in digital pathology and the utility of imaging combined with informatics to improve diagnostic accuracy. It's an exciting time to be an anatomist!
Wai Szeto, MD, MHA Class of 2015 Resident Physician | Pathology | UC San Diego Health
