Postgraduate: Course rule and topic information
Master of Surgery
(MSurg)
Program of Study
INTRODUCTION
The Master of Surgery is a 54-unit research higher degree. The program comprises some coursework, but is predominantly independent research. It is offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences on a fee-paying basis for international students. Australian citizens, permanent residents of Australia and New Zealand citizens are eligible for a Research Training Scheme place for the research component of the award.
There are two pathways.
COURSE AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
The course aims to give candidates the opportunity:
- to reflect critically on practice and practice skills and to relate practice to recent relevant theories;
- to understand, evaluate and apply techniques appropriate to their field of study;
- to demonstrate their ability to undertake an original investigation or testing of ideas, including the critical use of source material, experimental results (where appropriate) and published works;
- to demonstrate competence in independent research or experimentation, culminating in the presentation of a seminar and thesis.
COURSE RULE
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must hold the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (BMBS) of the University or an equivalent qualification approved by the Faculty Board and have had two years' appropriate experience in an approved teaching hospital and provided evidence of an ability to conduct original research related to the chosen specialty.
Pathway 1: FRACS Candidates or equivalent
For trainee surgeons who wish to undertake a period of research in order to enhance their academic credentials. This pathway is currently available only to candidates who have successfully completed the Part 1 Fellowship examinations of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, or its equivalent, for which they will be granted 12 units of unspecified credit.
Qualifications accepted as equivalent to the Part 1 Fellowship of the RACS include the following:
Part 1 Fellowship
- Royal College of Surgeons of England
- Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
- Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland
Part 1 Examination in Surgery
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
- College of Medicine of South Africa
Examinations of other specialist surgical programs may be approved by the Board from time to time.
Pathway 2: Master of Surgery (Orthopaedics)
For qualified medical practitioners who are interested in undertaking a research project in a surgical specialty but who either do not have specialist training as a surgeon, or have qualifications in surgery not recognised in Australia and who are not seeking specialist registration as a surgeon in Australia. This pathway is currently available only in the area of orthopaedic surgery. Candidates must have a previous record of clinical experience in some aspect of orthopaedic or musculoskeletal medicine. Closing date 30 April each year.
The surgical specialty in which a candidate undertakes the research study component of the degree will, where appropriate, be reflected on the candidate's official academic transcript and degree testamur.
PROGRAM OF STUDY
[November, 2008]
To qualify for the Master of Surgery, a student must complete satisfactorily the following 54-unit program of study.
Except with permission of the Faculty Board:
- the coursework component must be completed before proceeding with the research component;
- the research component must be completed full-time within two consecutive semesters or part-time within four consecutive semesters.
COURSEWORK COMPONENT (18 units)
This component is offered by distance education.
Pathway 1
Candidates will receive 12 units of unspecified credit for this component on the basis of their Part 1 Fellowship or its equivalent. Candidates will be required to complete satisfactorily the topic MMED8901 Clinical Research Methods (6 units) prior to commencing the research component, unless granted credit on the basis of previous research experience. Full fees will apply to this topic.
Pathway 2
|
MSKM8001 |
Anatomy, Physiology and Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System |
6 |
|
MSKM8005 |
Independent Study in Musculoskeletal Medicine |
6 |
|
MMED8901 |
Clinical Research Methods |
6 |
Note: Australian and New Zealand students will be required to pay full fees for the coursework component.
RESEARCH COMPONENT (36 units)
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