Information for Future Students - Find a Program The University of Adelaide Australia
Public browsing [Login]
You are here: Find a Program > M.MinInvSu
text zoom: S | M | L
Printer Friendly Version
Find a Program in 2009

Glossary and FAQs

Glossary of Terms
Commonly used terms and expressions you'll encounter while preparing for study at university.

Frequently Asked Questions About:

  1. Fees & Charges
  2. Academic Programs
  3. Applying to the University of Adelaide
  4. Scholarships
  5. Important Dates

Make an Enquiry

Enquire online anytime
Use the online enquiry form

Student Centre Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri:
8:45am-5:00pm
Tues: 9:30am-5:00pm
[Current Local Time]

Phone: +61 8 8303 7335
(Country and interstate callers toll free on 1800 061 459)

Master of Minimally Invasive Surgery M.MinInvSu
2009

Program Outline | Program Structure | Admission Information | Areas of Specialisation | Study Plans | Graduate Attributes | Work Placement | Program Rules | Further Information | Useful Links

Location: Teaching Hospitals
Duration: 1 year (full-time only)
Degree/Award: Masters by Coursework

Program Outline

The Masters is open to experienced surgeons who are at least within 1 year of achieving or have gained FRACS (Fellow of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons) or equivalent. They ideally hold a fellowship or post fellowship position in their surgical speciality. The applicants will be Senior Registrars, Fellows or newly appointed Consultant surgeons or those with an established surgical practice who wish to advance their qualifications in minimally invasive surgery.

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. 

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.

The one year program will comprise the following components: supervised clinical placement in either a government or non-government hospital; lectures and tutorials; teaching with low and high fidelity laparoscopic training devices; and the production of one research publication which is deemed suitable for submission to a peer reviewed journal.

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.

 

Program Structure

 

return to top

Admission Information

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.

I am a:

Domestic applicants

Not a domestic applicant? ?

Annual tuition fees ?
Australian Full-fee place: $26,784
Mid-year entry? Subject to availability
Enquiries Student Centre

Selection Criteria ?

Graduate entry only.

How to Apply ?

International applicants

Not an international applicant? ?

Annual tuition fees ? International student place: $28,000
Enquiries Student Centre

Selection Criteria ?

Graduate entry only

How to Apply ?

International applicants applying with Australian year 12 results

Not an international applicant applying with Australian year 12 results? ?

Annual tuition fees ? International student place: $28,000
Enquiries Student Centre

Selection Criteria ?

Graduate entry only
return to top

Areas of Specialisation

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

return to top

Study Plans

The study plans ? given are examples of pathways through this degree. For a complete description, see the program rules.

Semester 1

All candidates shall complete the following core courses:

Semester 2

All candidates shall complete the following core courses:

return to top

Graduate Attributes

Graduates will display the following attributes:

  • Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of minimally invasive surgery at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 
  • An appreciate of their potential contribution to knowledge through the traditions and innovations of  minimally invasive surgery.
  • A proficiency in the practice of the surgical techniques applied in minimally invasive surgery.
  • The skills and discipline to research, synthesise, organise and present information, using a range of technologies appropriate to the discipline of minimally invasive surgery.
  • Analytical and problem solving skills that can be used on any complications that may arise before, during or after minimally invasive surgery
  • The ability to argue from evidence
  • The ability to communicate effectively
  • An understanding of the importance of lifelong learning and continuing professional development
  • An understanding of ethical issues in both intellectual and professional contexts

return to top

Work Placement

Students are required to hold a Fellowship training position or a post-Fellowship or consultant position in a surgery subspecialty or gynaecology in Adelaide, or be able to attend weekly tutorials in Adelaide.  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 semester dates.  For 2010 the job should start no later than 1st March 2010 and finish no earlier than 1st December 2010 with a proviso for tutorial obligations on Friday mornings during semesters 1 and 2.   

return to top

Program Rules

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 the South Australian Medical Board

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 a 12 month clinical placement at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital offering services 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 followingcomponents.

4.2.1    Courses

All students shall complete the following compulsory courses:

MMIS0001 Minimally Invasive Surgery–Theory 1                              
MMIS0002 Minimally Invasive Surgery–Research and Development1
MMIS0003 Supervised Clinical Practice 1                                         
MMIS0004 Minimally Invasive Surgery–Theory 2                               
MMIS0005 Minimally Invasive Surgery–Research and Development2
MMIS0006 Supervised 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. 

return to top

Further Information

Please direct enquiries to the Student Centre
Phone: +61 8 8303 7335 (toll free 1800 061 459)

The annual Open Day and Information Night events provide an excellent opportunity to see our campus, meet with academics, and discuss your study options.

return to top

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Monday, 13 Jul 2009

Reputation

Reputation for Excellence

library

RANKED in the top 25 universities in the Asia Pacific region by Shanghai Jiao Tong University Rankings 2006.

RANKED among the world’s top 100 universities in the THES-QS World University Rankings 2007.

FIVE STARS for staff-student ratio, research grants, research intensiveness and electronic support in the 2007 Australian The Good Universities Guide.