Medical Neuroscience
Location: Sir Charles Tupper Building
5850 College Street
Room 13-B1
P.O. Box 15000
Halifax, NS
B3H 4R2
Telephone: (902) 494-2051
Fax: (902) 494-1212
Website: medicine.dal.ca/medneurosci


The Department of Medical Neuroscience fosters research and training in neuroscience that advances the understanding and treatment of diseases of the nervous system. The Department is also the home for anatomy at Dalhousie University, teaching gross anatomy, embryology and histology to Medical, Dental, and Dental Hygiene students.  Students wishing to take courses leading to a MSc or PhD degree in Medical Neuroscience should consult the calendar of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the department website: medicine.dal.ca/medneurosci

Course of Study

First Year Medicine

The Department of Medical Neuroscience provides instruction in anatomy, histology, and embryology during the first year of Medicine. Students are introduced to human gross anatomy and histology during Foundations and study the anatomy of the abdomen and pelvis during the Metabolism I  and Human Development Units, respectively. Students learn basic concepts through case-based tutorials with additional content provided during laboratory sessions, self-direct learning activities and a limited number of lectures. The study of anatomy continues in the second year, beginning with head and neck gross anatomy and neuroanatomy. Later in year two, the anatomy of the thorax and musculoskeletal system is taught as part of the Metabolism II and Msk/Derm Units, respectively.

Second-Year Medicine

The study of anatomy continues in the second year of medicine, beginning with head and neck gross anatomy and neuroanatomy. Later in year two, the anatomy of the thorax and musculoskeletal system is taught as part of the Metabolism II and Msk/Derm Units, respectively.

Electives for Medical Students

Clinical Gross Anatomy Review for Residents

These anatomy review sessions are designed to re-familiarize the residents with gross anatomy that is relevant to the area they are specializing in and are essential for their residency training.

The sessions have a strong laboratory focus, using prosections, case studies and quizzes. Clinicians and anatomists take turns to demonstrate an area with various highlights of the gross anatomical structures and their relationships during the surgical procedures.

Graduate Studies

Students wishing to take courses leading to a MSc or PhD degree in Medical Neuroscience should consult the calendar of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the departmental website: medicine.dal.ca/medneurosci

Courses

Dentistry and Dental Hygiene Students - A lecture and laboratory class in head and neck anatomy (DEHY 2852.03: Gross Anatomy of Head and Neck) is offered to Dental Hygiene students.

Gross Anatomy/Neuroanatomy - The course is taught by the Department of Medical Neuroscience in the Faculty of Medicine and designed specifically for and restricted to first year dental students.

Gross Anatomy - Deals with detailed gross anatomy of the thorax, head and neck with minor emphasis on abdomen and upper limb. Lectures, laboratories with dissection, prosections, x-rays and clinical case presentations are used with special attention given to oral and dental structures.

Neuroanatomy - Dental students are provided with a comprehensive overview of the functional morphology of the human nervous system. The gross anatomy of the spinal cord, spinal nerves, brain and cranial nerves are described. This is followed by details of the spinal cord, brainstem, cerebellum, diencephalon and cerebral hemispheres and the systems of which they are comprised. Material is presented in lectures and laboratory sessions.