Minimal Access Surgery

Snapshot

Overview

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.

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

Programme Content

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.

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.

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

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

Methods of Assessment

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).

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.

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.

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Career Opportunities

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.

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:

1. Financial Hardship Scholarship
2. Academic Merits Scholarship

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

Other sources of funding for postgraduate students can be found on our Scholarships webpage.

Contacts

Programme Director (Medicine)	Admissions Contact
Mr Afshin Alijani Cuschieri Skills Centre University of Dundee Level 5 Ninewells Hospital and Medical School Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland Telephone: 01382 645857 (from the UK) Telephone: +44 1382 645857 (from outside the UK) Email: a.alijani@dundee.ac.uk	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