Doctor of Clinical Surgery
Doctor
Overview
About this course
Study a combination of clinical and non-clinical coursework and research. Our course aims to produce surgical leaders with attitudes and skills that allow them to meet the challenges of surgical specialist practice.
Who is it for?
Our Doctor of Clinical Surgery is designed to be undertaken in conjunction with the surgical training program of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons to augment research, leadership and communication skills.
Structure
What you’ll study
The course work includes all aspects of surgical practice and in particular communication, behavioural, ethical, attitudinal, health economic and medicolegal aspects of surgical practice as well as operative, psychomotor and cognitive aspects. The assessment of operative and psychomotor skills will be competence based.
You will undertake clinical coursework in an approved University of Sydney training hospital under the supervision of a University nominated training supervisor. These hospitals are certified and accredited on a regular basis.
Surgical practice for the clinical coursework component is available in the following areas: cardiothoracic surgery, general surgery, upper GI surgery, colorectal surgery, surgical oncology, breast endocrine surgery, neurosurgery, otolaryngology head & neck surgery, orthopaedic surgery, paediatric surgery, plastic & reconstructive surgery.
Course structure
The doctorate comprises 18 core units of study and six electives chosen from the list of core and elective units of study for the doctorate.
The Doctor of Clinical Surgery requires the successful completion of 144 credit points of units of study including:
- 66 credit points – for FRACS (credit for good standing) or to enrol in units, be eligible to undertake surgical training in New South Wales and be appointed to a SET 3 or higher position
- 6 credit points – Capstone
- 36 credit points – Thesis
- 36 credit points – Elective units of study
In general, in each semester, students enrol in 2 clinical surgery units (unless exemptions are granted), one research unit of study and one elective. In special circumstances a student may apply to undertake two electives in one semester but then must undertake two research units of study the following semester.
Clinical Surgery Coursework
Each coursework subject (Clinical Surgery 1-11) is a culmination of the clinical service work as well as the close one to one supervision by a nominated training supervisor. The coursework will also include detailed surgical anatomy and pathology of the relevant region. Each subject is assessed by a combination of assessment which include satisfactory participation in the care of a number of patients including a competence-based assessment of operative skills as well as an in-depth review of one patient including a critical review of the literature.
Non-Elective Units
These are designed to allow the candidate an opportunity to pursue educational interests outside of surgery which will complement their study of clinical surgery.
Clinical Surgery Capstone
Assessment in this subject includes satisfactory presentation at a Viva Voce in which the candidate is expected to discuss and justify from the available evidence, their clinical management of a number of randomly chosen cases from their logbook.
Research
Students will need to show evidence of research through a continuous research project on a topic approved by the University Training Supervisor. This research may be undertaken in any of the multidisciplinary units of the Sydney Medical School or may be undertaken in other Faculties as approved by the Course coordinator. These may include Engineering, Law, Humanities, Economics and Science.
The general pattern for 36 credit points of research units are as follows:
- SURG6001 – (Surgical Research 1) Abstract
- SURG6002 – (Surgical Research 2) Narrative Review/Aims
- SURG6003 – (Surgical Research 3) Methods (Data Collation)
- SURG6004 – (Surgical Research 4) Results
- SURG6005 – (Surgical Research 5) Discussion/Future Directions
- SURG6006 – (Surgical Research 6) Bibliography
Costs
Tuition
HK$285,668.04
(international)
Funding
Admissions
Qualifications
Admission to Doctor of Clinical Surgery requires:
- a medical degree;
- evidence of excellence in study in both their undergraduate and postgraduate career;
- successful interview or examination or other requirement as determined by the University of Sydney Medical School; and
- advance postgraduate knowledge of anatomy, surgical pathology and applied physiology acquired either by a relevant postgraduate degree or equivalent experience; or
- completion of the basic training requirements of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons; or
- a Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
Candidates who possess a Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, or equivelent, may be granted credit of up to 66 credit points for the Clinical Surgery units of study (SURG6011-SURG6021)
Candidates who wish to undertake the clinical components of the Doctor of Surgery must be eligible to undertake surgical training in New South Wales and be appointed to a SET 3 or higher position by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Additional requirements are set by the Discipline of Surgery and will include an interview.
International qualifications
For qualifications awarded outside Australia, equivalencies and entry requirements are determined based on the country, institution, and qualification.
Language requirements
IELTS
6.5
A minimum result of 6.5 overall and a minimum result of 6.0 in each band
TOEFL
85
A minimum result of 85 overall including a minimum result of 17 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 19 in Writing
PTE
61
A minimum result of 61 overall and a minimum result of 54 in each band