Research Projects - Advanced Medical Science (AMS)

The AMS year in Anatomy and Cell Biology

The AMS year is the final year of the BMedSc degree. It is available only to students enrolled in medicine in semesters 6 and 7 of the medical course. Anatomy and Cell Biology offer a 2 semester course that emphasises the research experience. You will work with leading academics and full time researchers in their laboratories on your own project. In doing so, you will exposed to latest scientific methods and, most importantly, gain an understanding of how the scientific basis of modern medicine comes about.

Enrolling in AMS

You should start by identifying which projects in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology interest you (see below). Contact the supervisor directly and ask to make a time to talk to them. They will discuss the project with you and can show you exactly what you will be doing. Alternatively contact the co-ordinator Assoc Prof Colin Anderson who will help you and introduce you to appropriate supervisor.

AMS projects and supervisors

The departmental web site will include information about suitable projects. Look under Research Labs. Most projects offered for a BSc(Hons) or PhD could be adapted for an AMS year. You could also read about the research area of a laboratory and develop your own project with the help of your supervisor.

Facilities for AMS

AMS students will be attached to individual laboratories, but will also have access to all of the facilities of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology. Each student will get a desk and locker in the Honours room, as well as use of the molecular biology laboratory, tissue culture facility, imaging and multi media lab, confocal and electron microscopes, human anatomy and histology laboratories as required. Students will also be fully-fledged members of the department, with 24 h access to the department and full involvement in all departmental activities, from seminars to parties.

Contact the AMS co-ordinator

For initial enquiries about doing your AMS year in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, contact the AMS Co-ordinator:

Assoc Prof Colin Anderson
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
The University of Melbourne
Parkville, 3010 Australia
Phone: 61 (0)3 8344 5807
Fax: 61 (0)3 9347 5219
Email: c.anderson@unimelb.edu.au