Coursework programs

Postgraduate Coursework Coordinator
Prof James May

+61 2 9351 3358

The Discipline of Surgery offers two coursework programs at postgraduate level: Master of Surgery (by coursework) and Graduate Diploma in Surgery. Both programs are made up of core units of study, which aim to offer clinicians the opportunity to learn the principles of applying the best available research evidence to surgical patient care and a range of further elective units of study. The Master of Surgery also requires students to submit a research dissertation on their speciality (streams offered are listed under "Areas of Study").

Our degrees are very relevant to postgraduate students who aspire to an academic or teaching hospital career, in addition to potential employers who look to the acquisition of a postgraduate degree in surgery as a desirable condition of appointment.

Areas of Study

Some of the areas of study students may cover include: development and measurement of surgical health outcomes, biostatistics, literature searching, surgical metabolism and imaging for surgical patients, human factors and safety in surgery, laparoscopic anatomy, surgical anatomy based on dissection, microsurgery, vascular and endovascular surgery, transplantation immunobiology and principles and practice of transplantation.

Masters candidates will also specialise in one of the following streams: Endocrine Surgery, Colorectal, Hand Surgery, Head & Neck, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedic, Otorhinolaryngology, Paediatric Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Transplant Surgery, Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Urology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Surgery.

Career destinations

Our graduates will understand the principles of applying the best available research evidence to patient care. They will also have a knowledge of epidemiological methods, biostatistics, literature searching and controlled trials for clinical research, as well as an understanding of laboratory based methodology for those with a future interest in this academic surgical pursuit. Finally, for the academic surgical educator, a foundation for a career involving advancing academic undergraduate and postgraduate surgical education. Our graduates will have acquired specific skills relevant to their surgical speciality.

Professional Recognition

The Master of Surgery and Graduate Diploma in Surgery were designed to complement the practical experience that advanced trainees in surgery receive in teaching hospitals through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons' training program (or equivalent). They are not a qualification to practice surgery.