Welcome from Head of Department

Antony Goodwin PhD CalTech

Our roots go back to 1862 when John Britton Halford was appointed Professor of General Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology. Since then the Department has continued to evolve, building on our traditional strengths while, at the same time, embracing new developments in related fields. In 1993 we became the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology.

Our goal is to excel in research and to use that sound scientific foundation to deliver high quality courses to our undergraduate and postgraduate students. We also aim to increase our interaction with the community.

The major focus of our research is in neuroscience and developmental biology. The research laboratories are well equipped and are supported by core facilities for molecular biology, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, histology, tissue culture, imaging and photography, quantitative morphological analysis and stereology. We have excellent IT facilities, a modern animal house and access to mechanical workshops.

We teach a broad range of students in the Schools of Medicine, Dental Science and Physiotherapy and in the Faculty of Science. The subjects we teach cover topographic anatomy, integrated neuroscience and developmental biology. Our research strengths enhance our Honours and PhD programs as well as research projects for undergraduates. The Department is committed to the development of interactive multimedia teaching packages.

The Department has had close links to the community through our Body Donor Program since at least the 1890s. We run educational programs for high school students in our museum, and the general public now has access to the museum on selected occasions.