The program will provide a professional qualification for those who wish to have minimally invasive surgery as a predominant part of their future surgical practice.  In particular, the aim is to produce surgeons who have an understanding of the theory of laparoscopic procedures combined with a thorough clinical grounding in laparoscopic surgery. 

The learning objectives of the program are to:

1) Ensure surgeons have an understanding of anatomy and patho/physiology of minimally invasive techniques

2) Give surgeons an improved knowledge of ergonomics and its application to minimally invasive surgery

3) Ensure surgeons acquire the skills to perform successful minimally invasive surgery by use of high and low fidelity laparoscopic training devices and supervised clinical work.

4) Instruct surgeons in how to identify and treat operative and post-operative complications arising during and from minimally invasive surgery

5) Advance surgeons' ability to review and understand relevant literature about minimally invasive surgery.

6) Advance surgeons' research skills by formulating a research problem and producing one publication which is deemed suitable for submission to a peer reviewed journal.

This one year program comprises:

• supervised clinical placement in either a government or non-government hospital
• online tutorials and webinars
• teaching with low and high fidelity laparoscopic training devices
• the production of a research publication which is deemed suitable for submission to a peer reviewed journal; and
• attendance at two technical clinical workshops in Adelaide (April and November).

There are three key methods of assessment: skills acquisition (50%), coursework and examinations (25%) and research (25%).

Opportunity exists for specialisation within the program.  These include, but are not limited to Colorectal, Renal, Upper GI, Vascular, Urology, Gynaecology and ENT.

The program provides a professional qualification for surgeons from a wide range of surgical subspecialities who wish to have minimally invasive surgery as a predominant part of their future surgical practice.

Successful completion of the program will enable surgeons to obtain senior appointments in surgical units where they will be able to perform laparoscopic surgery with a high level of success.

Students are required to hold a Fellowship training position or a post-Fellowship or consultant position in a surgery subspecialty or gynaecology.  This surgical position is not automatically offered with the Master of Minimally Invasive Surgery and students are personally responsible for obtaining a suitable position.  Job dates should coincide with the University of Adelaide quadmester dates.

1. Duration of program

1.1      Except with the permission of the Faculty, the course shall be completed in not more than one year of full-time study.

1.2       A student whose work on any of the course components is interrupted for a reason acceptable to the Executive Dean may be granted an intermission of candidature by the Head of the Discipline of Surgery on behalf of the Faculty.  If such an application is approved the maximum period specified in clause 1.1 will be adjusted accordingly by adding the length of the intermission.

2. Admission

2.1       An applicant for admission to the program of study for the degree of Master of Minimally Invasive Surgery applicants shall have qualified for an FRACS or equivalent, or completed their surgical training.

2.2       Overseas applicants must meet the requirements of the Temporary Business (Long Stay) 457 visa

2.3       Overseas applicants must register with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

2.4 Status, exemption and credit transfer

2.4.1    Except by special permission of the Discipline of Surgery, no student may gain status for the Master of Minimally Invasive Surgery for other studies undertaken in the University or other institutions.

3. Assessment and examinations

3.1       There shall be one system classification of pass in individual courses for the Master’s degree: Satisfactory; or Pass with High Distinction

3.2       On completion of the publication for the Research and Development  component of the program the student shall lodge with the Discipline a copy of the publication prepared in accordance with directions given to students from time to time. No publication or material presented for any other degree within this or any other institution shall be submitted.

3.3       Two examiners of the publication for the Research and Development  component of the program will be appointed by the Head of the Discipline of Surgery. Both examiners will normally be internal to the Discipline but not include the student’s supervisor.

3.4       Review of academic progress      

3.4.1    A student who fails a course and desires to take the course again shall again attend lectures and satisfactorily do such written and practical work as teaching staff concerned may prescribe.

 3.4.2   A student who has twice failed a course may not enrol for that  course again except by special permission to be obtained in writing from the Faculty and then only under such conditions as may be prescribed.

 3.4.3    Attendance is required for at least 80% of the sessions in any compulsory course.  A student who fails this requirement will not  be eligible for examination unless there are extenuating circumstances.

 3.4.4    For the purposes of this clause a student who is refused permission to be assessed, by examination or otherwise, or who does not, without a reason accepted by the Head of the Discipline of Surgery as adequate, attend all or part of the final examination (or supplementary examination if granted) after having enrolled for at least two thirds of the normal period during which the course is taught, shall be deemed to have failed the course.

 3.4.5    If in the opinion of the Head of the Discipline of Surgery a student for the degree is not making satisfactory progress, the Faculty may, with the consent of the Council, terminate the candidature and the student shall cease to be enrolled for the degree.

4. Qualification requirements

4.1       Unless exempted therefrom by the Faculty all students will satisfactorily  complete Compulsory Courses to the value of 24 units and hold a 12 month clinical placement approved by the Head of the Discipline of Surgery.

4.2       Academic program

Unless exempted from by the Faculty of Health Sciences, every student for the degree shall satisfactorily complete the following components.

4.2.1    Courses

All students shall complete the following compulsory courses:

SURGERY 7001HO Minimally Invasive Surgery–Theory 1                              
SURGERY 7003HO Minimally Invasive Surgery–Research and Development1
SURGERY 7005HO Min Inv Surgery-Clinical Practice 1                                         
SURGERY 7002HO Minimally Invasive Surgery–Theory 2                               
SURGERY 7004HO Invasive Surgery–Research and Development2
SURGERY 7006HO Min Inv Surgery-Clinical Practice 2      

4.3       Unacceptable combinations of courses

No candidate will be permitted to count towards an award any course, together with any other course, which, in the opinion of the Faculty concerned, contains a substantial amount of the same material; and no course or portion of a course may be counted twice towards an award.

4.4       Subject to Chapter 89 of the Statutes, candidates who have satisfied the requirements for any award of the University shall be admitted to that award at a graduation ceremony.

 5. Special circumstances

When in the opinion of the relevant Faculty special circumstances exist, the Council, on the recommendation of the Faculty in each case, may vary any of the provisions of the Academic Program Rules for any particular award. 

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