Graduate Certificate
Human Anatomy & Physiology

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About

The Human Anatomy & Physiology Graduate Certificate is one of the few in the country and the only one in Washington that specializes in anatomy and physiology. Our instructors are active researchers in physiological fields. As a student, you will have opportunities to engage in research with faculty in disciplines such as neuroscience, cell physiology, environmental physiology, immunology, and microbiology. This certificate also offers a human cadaver dissection experience, a unique benefit offered by very few programs.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university
  • A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0

Prerequisites

To enroll in BIOL 502, you must have:

  • Completed BIOL 173 with a grade ≥B-
  • Completed CHEM 173 and CHEM 173L with a grade ≥B-
  • Or have instructor’s permission

Curriculum & RequirementsApply

Curriculum & Requirements

Human Anatomy and Physiology Certificate, Graduate

Graduate Certificate in Human Anatomy & Physiology
Prerequisites: To enroll in BIOL 502, you must have:

  • Completed BIOL 173 with a grade ≥B-;
  • Completed CHEM 173 and CHEM 173L with a grade ≥B-;
  • Or instructor permission.
Required Courses
BIOL 502ADVANCED HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I5
BIOL 503ADVANCED HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II5
BIOL 504ADVANCED HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY III5
Total Credits15

Catalog Listing

Course Descriptions

BIOL 502 – Advanced Human Anatomy & Physiology I

The primary goals of this course are to cover the introductory material on basic cellular function and continue to an expansive discussion on the major tissue types in the body. Specific systems covered will be the integument (skin), the skeletal system, the muscular system, and at least part of the nervous and vascular systems. In each system, the goals will be to: discuss the role of the organs comprising each of the systems; understand the physiological function of these systems; identify gross anatomical structures associated with these systems through active dissection of human cadavers and with anatomical models; and identify histological structures associated with the systems of study.

BIOL 503 – Advanced Human Anatomy & Physiology II

In this quarter we study three systems, the cardiovascular system (how we move blood around the body), the respiratory system (how we exchange gases with the environment), and the urinary system (how we filter blood to produce urine). We study each system independently and then study how the three organ systems interact to optimize the transport of gases, nutrients, and wastes.

BIOL 504 – Advanced Human Anatomy & Physiology III

The Advanced Human Anatomy & Physiology series concludes with the central nervous, endocrine, digestive, and reproductive systems. Special emphasis is placed on the microscopic appearance of these tissues and the importance of histological techniques in identifying specific features. A common theme for this quarter is coordination between multiple body systems in the maintenance of homeostasis and how homeostasis is disrupted physiologically (as it is in development and growth) and pathologically.