| AQF Level |
Level 9 Masters by Coursework Degree |
| CRICOS Code |
060661K |
| Overview and Aims of the Program |
The Master of Surgery allows students to acquire a university qualification demonstrating mastery of surgical competence to support their career goals and life-long learning skills. The program is designed as a combination of units with the following characteristics: hands-on surgical skills with rigorously assessed competencies; practice of surgery in a framework of ethics, education and research. Through a comprehensive approach to developing surgical expertise, and with the highly developed technical input from the academic surgeons, the Master of Surgery provides a unique opportunity for surgeons to develop their competence, knowledge and understanding as professionals in the area of surgery. |
| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:
1. apply knowledge of recent developments in the surgical specialism to facilitate critical reflection of current surgical practice (K, T)
2. analytically evaluate existing literature and a detailed body of theoretical knowledge relevant to current surgical practice (K, T, P)
3. perform, initially with supervision and then with some autonomy, a range of technical and non-technical skills relevant to the specialism (K, T)
4. communicate concepts related to the specialism using language suitable for clinicians and lay people (K, C, E, J)
5. apply clinical reasoning skills and knowledge to diagnosis and treatment in surgical practice (K, T, C, E, J)
6. use a coherent knowledge of research principles and methodologies to plan and implement, with a high level of autonomy, a piece of scholarship relevant to the specialism (K, T, P, J)
7. with relative autonomy and accountability, demonstrate professional expertise in line with relevant professional standards (K, T, P, C, E, J)
8. critically evaluate and adapt self-directed learning approaches to enhance lifelong learning strategies (T, P, C, E, J). |
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
This is a fully prescribed program and consists of clinical and non-clinical units.
For the clinical surgical elective units, you will engage in an intensive, competency-based learning experience in a specialty or sub-specialty of surgery. Learning is tailored to the needs of the individual and therefore pedagogy is interactive and student centred. You will be in a work based environment where you will learn through acquisition of knowledge from clinical experts in the field. This knowledge will be put into practice by carrying out a variety of clinical procedures that will adjust in supervision level as your skill acquisition improves. Engagement will involve collaboration with supervisors and other health professionals (peer learning) to increase your understanding and expertise in safe, quality health care. To facilitate continuous improvement in knowledge and skill level, you will produce a reflective practice portfolio which will act as a record of progress where you can reflect upon previous performance to inform future direction and improvement. Feedback from supervisors and other health care professionals will provide formative assessment to monitor performance and indicate improvements necessary.
The non clinical units will provide a blended learning approach where you will engage in online learning activities combined with collaborative tutorial sessions facilitated by the unit convenor. There will be opportunities to take part in simulated patient/doctor scenarios and competency based assessment in workshop situations. Individual and group presentations will facilitate collaborative working. You will critically appraise literature and develop scholarly writing skills which will be essential to the completion of the surgical elective units. Participation in on line forums and tutorials throughout engagement in the non-clinical units will help your development in the areas of safety and quality in health care, ethics and professionalism and hospital management. |
| Assessment |
A large component of assessment for this program is based on the completion of an on line based portfolio which will consist of case reports, reflective practice notes, feedback from supervisors, videos of practice and relevant journal articles. The portfolio will demonstrate progressive improvement throughout the duration of the program of study.
You will be given formative feedback following observational assessment of surgical procedures. Regular meetings with your supervisor will take place throughout the period of training and targets will be set at regular intervals to inform and improve your clinical practice. The completed portfolio will form the summative assessment for the clinically based units and assessment of each unit will be pass/fail.
Assessment of non-clinical units will consist of graded and pass/fail assessment. You will be given formative feedback on your progress throughout. Assessment will take the form of online quizzes, group and individual presentations, essays and case studies. Case studies will be used in the context of ethics and professionalism and when looking at models used in hospital management. |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. For recognition of prior informal and non-formal learning, please refer to the relevant RPL Plan, which describes the evidential requirements and approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit in this program.
For undergraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For postgraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
The Master of Surgery is ideally suited to those entering into a surgical career pathway and with two years postgraduate experience, including evidence of a commitment to surgical training. The program provides graduates with increased access to accredited training courses in the surgical field. It allows surgeons to develop their competence, knowledge and understanding as professionals and may help to advance a career in surgery. |
| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
| Accreditation |
This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification.
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