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Teaching Surgical Science (MEDS90016)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2 (Early-Start)
Email: continuing-education@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: + 61 3 8344 0149
Contact hours: https://unimelb.edu.au/professional-development/contact-us
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 (Early-Start) - Online |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
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: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into one of the following:
- GC-SURGED Graduate Certificate in Surgical Education
- GD-SURGED Graduate Diploma in Surgical Education
- MC-SURGED Master of Surgical Education
AND
All of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEDS90006 | Context of Surgical Education | Semester 1 (Early-Start) (Online) |
12.5 |
| MEDS90007 | Learning & Teaching in Surgical Practice | Semester 1 (Early-Start) (Online) |
12.5 |
| MEDS90008 | Educational Theory for Surgical Training | Semester 2 (Early-Start) (Online) |
12.5 |
| MEDS90009 | Curriculum Design in Surgical Education | Semester 2 (Early-Start) (Online) |
12.5 |
This subject is not available for students admitted in any other courses.
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Essay - written reflection on experiential activity. 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.
| Mid semester | 10% |
Essay. In this assessment, students are expected to review an existing approach to teaching surgical science, present evidence for and limitations of the approach.
| Mid semester | 40% |
Essay. 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.
| End of semester | 50% |
| Hurdle requirement: Experiential - design and deliver a teaching session. | Early in the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2 (Early-Start) - Online
Coordinator Debra Nestel Mode of delivery Online Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 8 July 2024 to 20 October 2024 Last self-enrol date 19 July 2024 Census date 2 September 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 20 September 2024 Assessment period ends 15 November 2024 Semester 2 (Early-Start) contact information
Email: continuing-education@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: + 61 3 8344 0149
Contact hours: https://unimelb.edu.au/professional-development/contact-us
Time commitment details
170 hours per 12.5 credit point subject.
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
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:
Type Name Course Graduate Diploma in Surgical Education Course Master of Surgical Education - Links to additional information
- 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.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 31 January 2024