ANAT20006 Principles of Human Structure
University of Melbourne · Level 2 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1, Semester 2.
- Final exam 60%: exam-heavy
Is ANAT20006 hard?
ANAT20006: About average. Makes it harder: Reviewers say it takes a lot of time, Final exam 60%.
What you learn
An overview of the human body: its main structures, organ systems and how they look on medical images.
After it you can
- Use the basic terms of human anatomy
- Identify structures on cadaver specimens
- Describe body structure in writing and speech
What you need first
(BIOL10004 and BIOL10005) or (BIOL10004 and (BIOL10010 or BIOL10011)) or (BIOL10005 and (BIOL10008 or BIOL10009)) or ((BIOL10008 or BIOL10009) and (BIOL10010 or BIOL10011))
- BIOL10010 Foundational Biology: Life's Complexity
- BIOL10011 Biology: Life's Complexity
- BIOL10008 Foundational Biology: Life's Machinery
What it leads to
- ANAT30007 Human Locomotor Systems
- ANAT30008 Viscera and Visceral Systems
- BMEN30010 Mechanics for Bioengineering
- BMEN30011 Introduction to MedTech Innovation
Can’t be taken together with
Careers
Helps toward: Dietitian, Laboratory scientist, Biochemist, Microbiologist, Zoologist, Psychologist, Veterinarian, Biomedical Engineer, Biotechnologist
How it’s assessed
Tests 30%, Quizzes 10%, Final exam 60%
Student reviews and ratings
Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2024–2026)
- Very content-heavy and memorisation-based; the first weeks (neuroanatomy, embryology) feel hardest, and embryology is often named the toughest topic.
- Mid-semester tests are all multiple choice and seen as fair; the final exam (about 60%) was generally called reasonable, with a few niche questions.
- Cadaver practicals are a highlight but most useful if you prepare beforehand; review lectures and repeatable online quizzes are easy marks.
- Many say an H1 is very achievable with consistent effort; spaced repetition such as Anki is widely recommended.
A summary of public reviews, not scored here.
Taken this subject? Rate it anonymously (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Rate ANAT20006
Quick answers
- When is ANAT20006 offered?
- Runs in 2026: Semester 1, Semester 2.
- What do I need before taking ANAT20006?
- Needs (BIOL10004 and BIOL10005) or (BIOL10004 and (BIOL10010 or BIOL10011)) or (BIOL10005 and (BIOL10008 or BIOL10009)) or ((BIOL10008 or BIOL10009) and (BIOL10010 or BIOL10011)).
- Does ANAT20006 have a final exam?
- Yes, the final exam is 60% of the mark. Assessment: Tests 30%, Quizzes 10%, Final exam 60%.
- Is ANAT20006 hard?
- From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: Very content-heavy and memorisation-based; the first weeks (neuroanatomy, embryology) feel hardest, and embryology is often named the toughest topic.
- What do students say about ANAT20006?
- Very content-heavy and memorisation-based; the first weeks (neuroanatomy, embryology) feel hardest, and embryology is often named the toughest topic. Mid-semester tests are all multiple choice and seen as fair; the final exam (about 60%) was generally called reasonable, with a few niche questions. Cadaver practicals are a highlight but most useful if you prepare beforehand; review lectures and repeatable online quizzes are easy marks.
- Can I take ANAT20006 as breadth?
- Yes, for: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art), Bachelor of Music.
- What can I take after ANAT20006?
- 4 subjects need it first, for example ANAT30007, ANAT30008, BMEN30010, BMEN30011.
- Can I rate ANAT20006?
- Yes. If you've taken it, rate it anonymously on this page (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Averages show once 3 students have rated it; tips are checked before they appear.
Source: University of Melbourne Handbook 2026
Always confirm in the official Handbook.
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