It teaches human anatomy to students preparing for careers in the health care professions; provides advanced courses, teaching experience, and research training to graduate students preparing for careers in academic research and related scientific fields; and conducts original research on the biological basis of cellular functions and human disease processes.

The department contributes to the preclinical education of health care professionals by providing major courses in gross anatomy, cell biology, histology, and neuroscience. The department participates in the Carver College of Medicine's Medical Scientist Training Program and the Graduate College's Molecular and Cellular Biology, Immunology, Genetics, and Neuroscience Programs. On occasion, students are directly admitted to a Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology laboratory by arrangement with the laboratory director.