| AQF Level |
Level 9 Masters by Coursework Degree |
| CRICOS Code |
060660M |
| Overview and Aims of the Program |
The Master of Advanced Surgery degree is a one-year program that is ideally suited for those who have completed the Specialist Education Training (SET) program of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) (or equivalent) and who wish to acquire a university qualification demonstrating mastery of surgical competence in a particular specialisation, acquisition of life-long learning skills and a capacity for leadership.
Through the completion of surgical elective units students develop skills required for a specialist career, including reflection and professionalism. The students engage in an intensive, competency-based learning experience in a specialty or sub-specialty of surgery, supported by competency-based assessment in the workplace or workshops and reflective practice portfolios. Reflective practice portfolios allow students to direct their own learning, working independently to develop lifelong reflective learning skills for research, specialist practice and leadership capabilities. (24cps)
Students choose the remaining 2 units (8cps) from a choice of 7. This allows the learner to include a particular area of interest for example; Ethics and Professionalism or Leadership and Motivation.
Sub-specialisms offered:
• Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery
• Craniomaxilliofacial Surgery
• Orthopaedics: Knee and Arthroplasty
• Orthopaedics: Hand Surgery
• Orthopaedics: Sports Medicine
• Orthopaedics: Upper Limb
• Neuro-oncology
• Spinal Surgery
• Breast and Endocrine Surgery
• Cardiothoracic. |
| 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 an advanced knowledge of developments at the forefront of the surgical specialism to facilitate critical reflection of current surgical practice (K, T)
2. analytically evaluate existing literature and an advanced body of theoretical knowledge relevant to developments in the specialism (K, T, P)
3. perform, with a high level of autonomy, a range of advanced technical and non-technical skills relevant to the specialism (K, T)
4. communicate complex concepts related to the specialism into language suitable for clinicians and lay people (K, C, E, J)
5. apply advanced clinical reasoning skills and knowledge to diagnosis and treatment at the forefront of the specialism (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 a high level of autonomy and accountability, demonstrate advanced 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 |
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 engage 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.
Optional units will provide a blended learning approach where you will engage in on line 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 a workshop situations. |
| Assessment |
The majority 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 constitute the summative assessment for the clinically based units and final assessment of each unit will be pass/fail.
The optional units in the program will involve formative and summative assessment in the form of; written reports, group and individual presentations, a reflective log and literature review. Educational simulation scenarios will be used to assess you communication skills when interacting with supervisors and patients. |
| 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 (see www.mq.edu.au/policy) and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. The RPL pages contain information on how to apply, links to registers, and the approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit.
Domestic Students
For undergraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For domestic postgraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl
International Students
For RPL information visit www.mq.edu.au/international/rpl |
| 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/wellbeing |
| 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 program is intended for surgical specialists who wish to further develop specific expertise in a surgical sub-specialty. Employment prospects may be increased in the particular sub specialty they choose to study. The MAdvSurg articulates to the DAdvSurg. |
| 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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