Human Anatomy with Lab
FPM-40684
Human Anatomy with Lab: Master Anatomical Terminology and Dissection Techniques
Human Anatomy learning is similar to learning a new language. There are (quite literally) hundreds, actually thousands, of new words introduced throughout this course. Upon gaining a basic understanding of the “lingo” of the body, one can guide themselves through the depths of the human body to better understand its organization, structures, and functions. At first this “new language” can seem somewhat overwhelming, but students soon realize that after grasping the basics and the roots of words (etymology), one begins to find similarities and can easily navigate anatomy manuals. Furthermore, a core component of the learning is to appreciate the different planes of the body, direction, and terms relating to motion (you may have heard of some of these, e.g. anterior/posterior, flexion/extension, superficial/deep, abduction/adduction, and others). Once students appreciate these terms, navigating lab instructions and dissection also becomes easier and students can become quite facile in their dissection techniques in a very short time! The goals of this course are to introduce students to the use of anatomical terminology, anatomical planes, and direction, provide in-depth instruction into the regions and systems of the human body.
Format
This course is offered in an online asynchronous format.There are no set meeting times, however, students follow a weekly schedule and there will be deadlines to meet in terms of course requirements.
Course Developer
All sections use content developed by Dr. Ken Vitale ensuring a consistent and high-quality learning experience across all offerings. To accommodate demand, we have co-instructors leading sections of his material. Regardless of the instructor, the course content remains the same, maintaining the integrity and rigor of Dr. Vitale's course design.
Transferring for College Credit
Many UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies courses may transfer to other institutions for college credit. The receiving institution determines credit transfer. We recommend contacting your intended institution's registrar's office before enrolling to confirm transfer eligibility.
How to Order Your Lab Kit
The Lab kit is not included in your course registration, there is an additional fee associated with the kit. Students must purchase their kit through Carolina Biological. The hands on laboratory involves experiments that the student performs at home. Except for a few household items, all materials are included in the kit. For sections beginning June 22 and after, you will order your lab kit via Carolina using the link below. If you recieve an error message please copy and paste the link to your browser.
https://www.carolina.com/carolina-distance-learning-science-kits/university-of-california-san-diego-human-anatomy/584368.pr
If you encounter any issues with ordering your lab kit please call the number below.
- Lab Kit Support: (help with ordering, inquiries, international shipping, replacements, etc.)
- 1.866.332.4478 (Monday - Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET)
Once ordered, the kit will be shipped directly to you. Please read each lab packet label and follow the included storage instructions. *Be sure to check ship immediately to avoid any shipping delays.
International Student or need assistance? Customer Service Representatives can be reached at 866.332.4478 or DistanceLearning@Carolina.com.
Upon receiving your kit, use the packing list provided by your instructor to verify that all required items are present and intact. If anything is missing or broken, contact Customer Support at DistanceLearning@Carolina.com within 24 hours of receipt.
Course Information
Our course utilizes resources from Carolina Biological to provide a high-quality, hands-on lab experience. These are animal dissection and experiential labs. The kit includes a set of preserved mammalian organs for dissection study of a preserved cow eye, pig kidney, pig heart, and sheep brain. All specimens are preserved and shipped in safe, nontoxic Carolina's Perfect Solution®. They do not require refrigeration. The kit also includes a manual and student guide, which contains background information, dissection guides, labeled diagrams, and a glossary for each specimen. There are no “virtual dissection” options. Carolina Distance Learning provides animal dissection specimens; there are no substitutions.
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
No textbook required.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 6/26/2026
Schedule:
Instructor:
Kenneth Vitale
Board Certification, Sports Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Fitness Nutrition Certification, National Academy of Sports Medicine
Bio:
Ken Vitale is a professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at UCSD School of Medicine. He completed his PM&R residency at NYU Langone Medical Center and the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine. He received his medical degree from NYU School of Medicine and graduated summa cum laude in Biology from Rutgers University.
Dr. Vitale enjoys all aspects of exercise physiology and sports medicine. When living in New York he was a medical volunteer for the NYC Marathon and worked as a medical provider for baseball tournaments and regional triathlons. At UCSD he works for the Orthopedic Surgery Department, the official medical providers for the San Diego Padres and affiliated providers for the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Outside of work Dr. Vitale enjoys staying healthy through sports, exercise and healthy nutrition. He has competed in baseball leagues, martial arts events, cycling tours, 5K races and a few triathlons.
As a professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine, Dr. Vitale instructs medical students, residents and fellows. He is co-director of the Lifestyle & Exercise Medicine course elective at UCSD School of Medicine and is the Co-Chair of the UCSD Institute for Public Health (IPH) Lifestyle, Wellbeing & Health Behavior Sub-Group Committee. Dr. Vitale also serves on the Faculty Council for the Electives Committee at UCSD School of Medicine. He is course faculty for various classes in the School of Medicine. Dr. Vitale has given numerous lectures nationally and internationally at several conferences and universities on sports medicine, nutrition, exercise physiology, orthopedics and rehabilitation. He is an active member of the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
No textbook required.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 6/26/2026
Schedule:
Instructor:
Kenneth Vitale
Board Certification, Sports Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Fitness Nutrition Certification, National Academy of Sports Medicine
Bio:
Ken Vitale is a professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at UCSD School of Medicine. He completed his PM&R residency at NYU Langone Medical Center and the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine. He received his medical degree from NYU School of Medicine and graduated summa cum laude in Biology from Rutgers University.
Dr. Vitale enjoys all aspects of exercise physiology and sports medicine. When living in New York he was a medical volunteer for the NYC Marathon and worked as a medical provider for baseball tournaments and regional triathlons. At UCSD he works for the Orthopedic Surgery Department, the official medical providers for the San Diego Padres and affiliated providers for the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Outside of work Dr. Vitale enjoys staying healthy through sports, exercise and healthy nutrition. He has competed in baseball leagues, martial arts events, cycling tours, 5K races and a few triathlons.
As a professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine, Dr. Vitale instructs medical students, residents and fellows. He is co-director of the Lifestyle & Exercise Medicine course elective at UCSD School of Medicine and is the Co-Chair of the UCSD Institute for Public Health (IPH) Lifestyle, Wellbeing & Health Behavior Sub-Group Committee. Dr. Vitale also serves on the Faculty Council for the Electives Committee at UCSD School of Medicine. He is course faculty for various classes in the School of Medicine. Dr. Vitale has given numerous lectures nationally and internationally at several conferences and universities on sports medicine, nutrition, exercise physiology, orthopedics and rehabilitation. He is an active member of the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
No textbook required.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 7/3/2026
Schedule:
Instructor:
Ajay Uprety
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
No textbook required.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 7/10/2026
Schedule:
Instructor:
Ajay Uprety
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 7/17/2026
Schedule:
Instructor:
Meaghan Beckner
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 7/24/2026
Schedule:
Instructor:
Faten Onah
Assistant Professor / Instructor
Biography
Dr. Faten Onah is a dedicated medical professional and educator with a deep background in the biological sciences. She earned her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from the University of Aleppo, College of Medicine in Syria. To further her expertise in the foundational sciences of medical education, she also obtained a Master of Science (M.S.) in Human Anatomy and Physiology Instruction from the New York Chiropractic College (NYCC).
When she isn't in the classroom or studying, Dr. Onah enjoys traveling to new places, getting lost in a good book, and spending quality time cooking for her family.
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 7/31/2026
Schedule:
Instructor:
Maurice Penny
He has more than 19 years serving students in education, ten years in Public School as a science teacher and administrator. He has taught for nine years at the university level, spanning Palo Alto Community College, Texas A &M University San Antonio, Grand Canyon University, and St. Mary's University.
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 8/14/2026
Schedule:
Instructor:
Maurice Penny
He has more than 19 years serving students in education, ten years in Public School as a science teacher and administrator. He has taught for nine years at the university level, spanning Palo Alto Community College, Texas A &M University San Antonio, Grand Canyon University, and St. Mary's University.