Teaching Surgical Science (MEDS90016)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Off Campus

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Overview

Availability
January - Off Campus
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In this subject students are given an opportunity to explore fundamentals of medical and in particular surgical science and the highly contentious issue of the importance, amount and timing of pure and applied (or integrated) biomedical science teaching and learning in medical education. We explore arguments for and against different approaches drawing on educational theory to explicate current positions. This subject explores changes in content and delivery of basic science programs for surgical training.

Traditional approaches to teaching anatomy and other fundamentals of surgical science have been challenged. They are under threat for many reasons of which cost is a significant factor. The emergence of new medical schools, especially in rural locations further compounds the continued use of traditional methods for teaching anatomy. Of course, surgical science knowledge is fundamental to surgical training. However, surgical trainees now have fewer opportunities to learn using cadaveric and other traditional methods.

Technology has provided new and exciting ways to impart surgical science knowledge. This subject enables participants to consider the challenges and future directions of surgical science teaching and to evaluate and consider alternatives to existing programs. Students are expected to apply theories from core and other elective subjects to advance and inform educational practice relevant for surgical science.

The overall aims of this subject are:

  • To explore changes in content to surgical science programs
  • To consider challenges to traditional approaches to teaching surgical science
  • To evaluate contemporary approaches to teaching surgical science

Intended learning outcomes

After completing the subject participants should be able to:



  • Outline content of surgical science training programs
  • Identify educational methods to support learning in surgical science
  • Apply educational theory to the design and delivery of surgical science
  • Identify challenges to teaching surgical science
  • Evaluate contemporary approaches to teaching surgical science
  • Design a learning activity for a surgical science program

Generic skills

  • Study skills related to a range of educational methods
  • Academic reading skills
  • Academic writing
  • Applying theory to practice
  • Reference manager skills
  • Work effectively within a small group
  • Learn independently

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted in GC-SURGED, GD-SURGED or MC-SURGED. This subject is not available for students admitted in any other courses.

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
MEDS90006 Context of Surgical Education
January (Off Campus)
 12.5
MEDS90007 Learning & Teaching in Surgical Practice
January (Off Campus)
 12.5
MEDS90008 Educational Theory for Surgical Training
Semester 2 (Off Campus)
 12.5
MEDS90009 Curriculum Design in Surgical Education
Semester 2 (Off Campus)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Assessment

Additional details

  • 1,000 word essay - written reflection on experiential activity, due mid semester, (10%). In this assessment, students reflect on their experience of teaching ‘surgical science’ in the hurdle assessment. Trainees are expected to use feedback from students in this report so are required to draw on knowledge and skills learned in subjects 2 & 4. They are expected to integrate educational theory in support of their students’ experience and to make recommendations on their own practice.
  • 1,500 word essay, due mid semester, (40%). In this assessment, students are expected to review an existing approach to teaching surgical science, present evidence for and limitations of the approach.
  • 2,500 word essay, due end of semester, (50%). In this assessment, students will have a choice of three essay questions on contentious issues in surgical science. Topics will be drawn from the literature and require students to demonstrate high level analytic skills.

Hurdle Requirement: Experiential - design and deliver a teaching session, due early semester.

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Dates & times

  • January - Off Campus
    Principal coordinatorDebra Nestel
    Mode of deliveryOff Campus
    Contact hours
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period21 January 2019 to 22 April 2019
    Last self-enrol date 8 February 2019
    Census date 8 March 2019
    Last date to withdraw without fail12 April 2019
    Assessment period ends22 May 2019

    January contact information

    Melbourne School of Professional and Continuing Education

    Further information:  https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/graduate/master-of-surgical-education/

    Email:  continuing-education@unimelb.edu.au

    Phone: + 61 3 8344 0149

    Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm AEST/AEDT. Weekends and University of Melbourne observed Public Holidays 10am to 5pm AEST/AEDT.

Time commitment details

170 hours per 12.5 credit point subject.

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    Reading materials online

  • Subject notes

    IT requirements:

    Participants will require access to the internet with a minimum connection speed of 256Kbps to access course materials and to participate in on-line discussions and presentations forums. Faster connection speeds are preferred. Participants will also need to verify that their internet connection is configured to allow them to view streamed audio and video files. Test files will be made available for students to test their connections.

    Participants are expected to have a headset and microphone connected to their computer for participation in on-line activities.

    Participants will be expected to have access to the following Microsoft Office products to fully participate:

    • MS Word
    • MS Powerpoint

    All online applications will be web-based and no special software is required.

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseMaster of Surgical Education
    CourseGraduate Diploma in Surgical Education
  • Links to additional information

    https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/graduate/graduate-diploma-in-surgical-education/

    continuing-education@unimelb.edu.au

  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

Last updated: 3 November 2022