Minimal Access Surgery

MMAS

This is the only masters programme in Scotland and one of very few in the UK, with a specific focus on minimal access techniques in surgery. It complements the activities of our Cuschieri Surgical Skills Centre.

Closing date: For entry Sept 2013, apply between 1st October 2012 and 1st March 2013. Interviews via Skype will take place by the end of March 2013.

Why
Teaching & Assessment
Careers
Entry Requirements
Fees/Funding
Your Application

Why study Minimal Access Surgery at Dundee?

The MMAS programme will provide a robust and wide-reaching education in both the theory and the practice of surgery as applied to minimal access techniques, together with focused training in bench-top and clinical research and associated methodology.

What's so good about studying Minimal Access Surgery at Dundee?

You will be able to make extensive use of our state-of-the-art Cuschieri Skills centre (CSC), located in Ninewells Hospital & Medical School. This surgical skills teaching facility was opened in 1992 by Professor Sir Alfred Cuschieri to provide a safe environment for teaching and training in laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery.

The surgical laboratories are equipped with the latest HD laparoscopic equipment and sponsored by Karl Storz-Endoskope, who have an excellent reputation for innovation and training in endoscopic surgery. Our expert local faculty are supported by a panel of expert external faculty from across Europe to ensure the highest quality is maintained in surgical skills training.

Who should study this course?

The Masters degree is designed for all surgeons aspiring to advance their career in clinical and/or academic surgery.

Related courses

All Medicine courses

Teaching & Assessment

This course is taught by staff based in the School of Medicine.

There will also be the opportunity for students to exit with a postgraduate certificate (60 credits) or a diploma in Minimal Access Surgery (120 credits).

How you will be taught

Teaching will be through a combination of lectures, tutorials, discussion group work and journal clubs, self-directed study and supervised research, as well as supervised attendance at operating theatres.

Students will acquire skills in the following areas:

Safe and effective techniques in minimal access surgery
Surgical anatomy of abdomen and pelvis
Application of technology and ergonomic principles in minimal access surgery
Critical and analytical thinking
Literature analysis and scientific writing
Problem-solving
Data analysis and interpretation

What you will study

The MMAS will be taught full-time over one year and will provide 5 mandatory core modules (120 credits) and a research module (60 credits):

Module 1: Research Methodology and Publishing (15 credits)
Module 2: Ergonomics in MAS (15 Credits)
Module 3: Operative Techniques in MAS (60 credits)
Module 4: Patient Safety and Improvement in Clinical Practice (15 Credits)
Module 5: Clinical and Surgical Anatomy Topics (15 credits)
Module 6: Research Module (60 credits)

Students will be guided to focus on a specific research module, which, after completion of a relevant literature review, will be carried out throughout the year.

How you will be assessed

The taught modules (120 credits) will be assessed by in-course assessment and examination at the end of each trimester.

The research project (60 credits) will be assessed through the literature review (which will constitute 20% of the research project component), and the presentation of a dissertation (which will constitute 80% of the research project component of the degree programme).

Careers

The MMAS is designed to prepare you for career development in clinical surgery. Successful students will be ideally positioned to pursue further clinical posts in higher surgical training or postgraduate studies at MD or PhD level.

Entry Requirements

You need an undergraduate medical degree with at least two years of postgraduate surgical training at SHO level in General, Gynaecology or Urology surgery.

You will also need a certificate showing HIV, Hep B and Hep C Results.

English Language Requirement: IELTS of 6.5, with minimum of 6.0 in the Writing component and a preferred 6.0 in the other three components (no component below 5.5) (or equivalent), if your first language is not English. Please check our Language Requirements page for details of equivalent grades from other test providers, and information about the University of Dundee English Language courses.

Fees and Funding

Academic Year	Home/EU	Overseas
2012-13	£20,000	£20,000
2013-14	to be confirmed	to be confirmed
Fees must be paid in full before the relevant academic year

Sources of Funding

The Cuschieri Skills Centre is offering the following Scholarships up to the value of £5,000 towards tuition fees for applicants for its Taught Postgraduate programme:

Financial Hardship Scholarship
Academic Merits Scholarship

Restrictions: You can apply for both scholarships but only one Scholarship towards tuition fees will be awarded.

Living Costs

Dundee is ranked as one of the most affordable places for students to live in the UK, and the cost of living is around 15% cheaper than the UK average.
Increasing numbers of students are successfully undertaking part-time work to supplement their income. You can get advice from our Careers Service, both about job opportunities and how to find a suitable study/work/life balance. EU and international students are also allowed to work up to 20 hours per week.
As a student in Scotland, you have free access to the National Health Service. Visits to doctors and hospitals, as well as prescriptions, sight tests and dental checkups, are available free of charge.

Your Application

How to Apply

Apply online via UKPASS

Programme Director

Mr Afshin Alijani
Cuschieri Skills Centre
University of Dundee
Level 5
Ninewells Hospital and Medical School
Dundee
DD1 9SY
Scotland

Telephone: 01382 383400 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 383400 (from outside the UK)

Email: a.alijani@dundee.ac.uk

Admissions Contact

Postgraduate Admissions
Admissions and Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland

Telephone: 01382 384 384 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 384 384 (from outside the UK)

Fax: 01382 385 500 (from the UK)
Fax: +44 1382 385 500 (from outside the UK)

Email: postgrad-admissions@dundee.ac.uk