University of Sydney Handbooks - 2016 Archive

Download full 2016 archive Page archived at: Fri, 13 May 2016 14:40:30 +1000

Surgery

Errata

Item Change Date
1.

The following units are not on offer in 2016:

SURG5001 Prac. Research Methods for Surgeons I
SURG5003 Prac. Research Methods for Surgeons II

15/1/2016
2.

Important information about assessment items for SURG5037 Basic Sciences and Benign Breast Disease and SURG5038 Malignant Breast Disease & MDTs:

The requirement that students must obtain a score of 50% or higher for each of the assessment components to achieve the minimum grade of pass has been removed.
29/1/2016
3.

The assessment for the following unit has changed:

MEDF5002 Teaching in the Clinical Environment Assessment: 20% written assignment (1500 words), 20% module submissions , 10% discussion boards , 50% portfolio of evidence of learning (4000 words equivalent)

 29/1/2016
4.

The following unit was not included when teh handbook was originally published:

PMED5051 Leadership in Medicine Credit points: Teacher/Coordinator: Mike Jenner Session: Semester 2 Classes: Week 1 conf call (90mins), 1x2 day compulsory intensive on campus (9am-8pm day1, 9am-5pm day2), 1x1 exam day compulsory intensive on campus (9am-5pm), approx 8 hours/week (x 13 weeks) engaging in online interactions and self-directed learning activities.  Assessment: Team Project Presentation (25%), Individual Skills (10%), Written Feedback (15%), Other written submissions (5x5%= 25%), weekly Online Participation (15%), Face-to-Face Participation (10%) 

Leadership is behavioural.  A leader’s effectiveness is determined by the behaviours they consistently manifest across time rather than the inventory of concepts they have in their head. This course’s orientation is behavioural: what does best practice medical leadership look like and how can you get better at doing it? The course engages with the question of what makes an individual influential. Students graduate with an understanding of the concepts centrally underpinning the influencing process, but more importantly with elevated skills at individual components of influencing, and an appreciation of, and practice at adopting, the mindsets necessary to be maximally influential in a medical setting.Topics covered include building self awareness, the development process, self-management, managing difference, best practice communication (setting expectations, listening, motivating, giving and receiving feedback, confronting, conflict resolution), effective networking, building productive relationships and driving engagement. Textbooks:Nil.  Required readings will be provided.

29/1/2016

 

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Units of study descriptions

CEPI5100 Introduction to Clinical Epidemiology

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Fiona Stanaway Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Offered online and face-to-face (daytime tutorials). Prohibitions: PUBH5010 Assessment: Completion of online quizzes (15%), tutorial participation (10%), assignment 1 (15%), assignment 2 (60%) Mode of delivery: Online
This unit introduces the concept of clinical epidemiology and provides students with core skills in clinical epidemiology at an introductory level. Topics covered include asking and answering clinical questions; basic and accessible literature searching techniques; study designs used in clinical epidemiological research; confounding and effect modification; sources of bias; interpretation of results including odds ratios, relative risks, confidence intervals and p values; applicability of results to individual patients; critical appraisal of clinical epidemiological research literature used to answer questions of therapy (RCTs and systematic reviews), harm, prognosis, diagnosis, screening and clinical guidelines; and translating research into practice.
Textbooks
Online readings and resources to be provided on the eLearning website.
CEPI5102 Literature Searching

Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Sarah White Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: offered online. Assessment: completion of online quizzes (20%), 1x 2000word assignment (80%) Mode of delivery: Online
Students will learn how to formulate a searchable question; the pros and cons of different information sources; how to structure an electronic database search; important fields in MEDLINE; useful practical tips for searching MEDLINE; methodological filters, journal citation reports, bibliometrics, and how to organise and manage references. The assignment requires students to demonstrate their search skills for clinical problems (marks allocated for how many relevant articles found, the content terms used, the methodological terms used, and the databases searched) and to demonstrate skills in the use of information tracking interfaces and Endnote.
Textbooks
Online readings and other learning resources will be provided.
CEPI5203 Introduction to Systematic Reviews

Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Sharon Reid Session: Semester 2a Classes: offered online Corequisites: CEPI5102 Assessment: submission of weekly tasks and participation in discussion (18%) and assignment 1x 2500word report (82%) Mode of delivery: Online
Students will learn how to critically appraise a review of the effectiveness of an intervention; how to do a meta-analysis; how to weigh up benefits and harms (applicability); how to avoid misleading meta-analyses and how to find or do better systematic reviews. At the end of this unit, participants should be able to: search for systematic reviews; critically appraise reviews of randomised controlled trials, do a meta-analysis of randomised trials using available software; and use meta-analytic methods for weighing up benefits and harms of an intervention in individual patient management and practice policy development. The assignment task involves: outlining a clinical or health policy decision; identifying a systematic review of randomized controlled trials; critically appraising a systematic review of randomized controlled trials; consideration of the applicability of the evidence and what additional information is required to better inform decision making.
Textbooks
Online readings and other learning resources will be provided.
PATH5000 Surgical Pathology

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Assoc Prof Brett Hambly Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 2x1hr video streamed tutorials/week Assessment: 1. participation weekly tutorials (20%) 2. 1x3000wd essay (30%) 3. 13x15min weekly quizzes (20%) 4. 1x1hr final exam (30%) Mode of delivery: Online
The Surgical Pathology Unit of Study course in an online course available in Semester 1 or 2. It is based on examination of macroscopic pathology specimens (bottles) located in the Pathology Museum collection and examination of microscopic slides of relevant pathological processes. The course runs over 13 weeks and covers 12 topics. Each week several streamed videos, corresponding Powerpoint presentations and additional reading, are provided to students. This material will take approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Following viewing of the teaching media, students complete an online quiz, which contributes to the final assessment. Additionally, students will prepare an in-dept, semi structured assignment on a pathological process, where possible of relevant to their particular interests. An optional weekend in-house practical session at the University of Sydney will be offered to students late in the semester (May or October), where students will be provided with practical tutorials covering many of the topics within the course. The practicals will involve viewing relevant bottles and slides. Participation is not compulsory. Topics that will be covered in the course will include basic pathological processes (eg immunology, inflammation, neoplasia etc) and systems pathology (eg cardiovascular, respiratory, gastroenterology, neurology, genitourinary, orthopaedic etc).
Textbooks
Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease 8th Ed (Kumar, Abbas, Fausto, Aster) Saunders Elsevier, online version available from University Library following enrolment, plus course materials.
PUBH5010 Epidemiology Methods and Uses

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Tim Driscoll Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x 1hr lecture and 1x 2hr tutorial per week for 13 weeks - lectures and tutorials may be completed online Prohibitions: BSTA5011,CEPI5100 Assessment: 1x 6 page assignment (30%) and 1x 2.5hr supervised open-book exam (70%). For distance students, it may be possible to complete the exam externally with the approval of the course coordinator Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit provides students with core skills in epidemiology, particularly the ability to critically appraise public health and clinical epidemiological research literature. This unit covers: study types; measures of frequency and association; measurement bias; confounding/effect modification; randomized trials; systematic reviews; screening and test evaluation; infectious disease outbreaks; measuring public health impact and use and interpretation of population health data. It is expected that students spend an additional 2-3 hours at least preparing for their tutorials.
Textbooks
Webb, PW. Bain, CJ. and Pirozzo, SL. Essential Epidemiology: An Introduction for Students and Health Professionals Second Edition: Cambridge University Press 2011.
PUBH5018 Introductory Biostatistics

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kevin McGeechan and Associate Professor Patrick Kelly Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2 x 2hr lecture, 10 x 1hr lectures, 11 x 2hr tutorials, 2 x 1hr and 8 x 0.5hr statistical computing self directed learning tasks over 12 weeks - lectures and tutorials may be completed online Assessment: 1x4 page assignment (30%) and 1x2.5hr open-book exam (70%). For distance students it may be possible to complete the exam externally with the approval of the course coordinator. Mode of delivery: Online
This unit aims to provide students with an introduction to statistical concepts, their use and relevance in public health. This unit covers descriptive analyses to summarise and display data; concepts underlying statistical inference; basic statistical methods for the analysis of continuous and binary data; and statistical aspects of study design. Specific topics include: sampling; probability distributions; sampling distribution of the mean; confidence interval and significance tests for one-sample, two paired samples and two independent samples for continuous data and also binary data; correlation and simple linear regression; distribution-free methods for two paired samples, two independent samples and correlation; power and sample size estimation for simple studies; statistical aspects of study design and analysis. Students will be required to perform analyses using a calculator and will also be required to conduct analyses using statistical software (SPSS). It is expected that students spend an additional 2 hours per week preparing for their tutorials. Computing tasks are self-directed.
Textbooks
Course notes are provided.
PUBH5019 Cancer Prevention and Control

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Monica Robotin Session: Semester 2 Classes: 24 hours online lectures, 15 hours online discussions Prerequisites: PUBH5010 or CEPI5100 Assessment: 2 assignments (65%), 8 online tutorials (30%), 1 reflective piece (5%) Mode of delivery: Online
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit aims to provide students with specific information on the concepts, methods and applications underpinning cancer prevention and control at population level. It is designed to address specific educational needs of students in various programs within the School of Public Health and to offer a broad-based perspective on cancer control, ranging from primary prevention, screening and early intervention, tertiary prevention and palliative care. Emphasis will be given to cancers with the greatest impact at population level and where evidence demonstrates that policies and interventions are capable of reducing cancer incidence, mortality, prolonging survival and improving quality of life. Although focusing on specific Australian conditions, the information will be presented in the context of regional and global cancer control efforts. At the completion of the unit, students will be equipped with the basic tools to design, plan, implement and evaluate cancer control programs in Australia or other countries.
Textbooks
Readings for this unit will be available on the eLearning site
PUBH5020 Chronic Disease Prevention and Control

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Monica Robotin Session: Semester 1 Classes: 24 hrs online lectures; 12 hrs online discussions Prerequisites: PUBH5010 or CEPI5100 Assessment: assignments (70%), on-line discussions (30%) Mode of delivery: Online
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This course offers a broad-based integrated perspective on chronic disease prevention. The course reviews the epidemiology of selected chronic diseases with the highest impact at population level in Australia (cardiovascular diseases; cancer; chronic lung disease; diabetes and chronic renal disease). The information will focus on Australian settings, but presented within the context of a regional perspective of chronic disease prevention.
Teaching will focus on the interrelationships between the biological and epidemiological aspects of chronic diseases, the interplay between determinants of health and chronic disease, and the balance between high risk and population based strategies for reducing disease burden, and exploring their applicability to disease prevention. Students will be involved in evaluating the effectiveness of different prevention strategies and will examine the role of health policy in developing effective and sustainable chronic disease management programs in different settings (in Australia and the region).
Textbooks
Readings for this unit will be available on the eLearning site
PUBH5211 Multiple Regression and Stats Computing

Credit points: 4 Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Patrick Kelly Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2hrs per week for 13 weeks. This unit may be undertaken in face to face or online/distance mode. All students must have access to a computer with Microsoft Windows 7 or later and a good internet connection. Prerequisites: PUBH5018 Assessment: 1x 4 page assignment (30%) and 1x 10 page assignment (70%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Students will learn how to analyse data using multiple linear regression. Multiple linear regression is a powerful statistical method for analysing a continuous outcome variable with several explanatory variables. In particular, this unit will cover how to compare more than two groups, adjust for confounders, test for effect modification, calculate adjusted means, conduct appropriate model checking, and teaches strategies for selecting the 'best' regression model. Students will learn how to apply these methods using the statistical package called SAS. In this unit, each topic is covered by a one hour statistics lecture, a one hour SAS lecture, a one hour SAS practical and a one hour statistics tutorial to discuss the interpretation of the results. Each fortnight there is an exercise on the material covered in the statistics lecture. The SAS practical covers the necessary statistical computing to answer the questions for the tutorial the following week. The assignments will involve practical analysis and interpretation of a data set. This unit is the prerequiste for learning other types of regression models, such as logistic regression (PUBH5212) and survival analysis (PUBH5213).
Textbooks
Course notes are provided.
PUBH5212 Categorical Data Analysis

Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kevin McGeechan Session: Semester 2b Classes: 1 x 2hr lecture, 5 x 1hr lectures, and 5 x 1hr tutorials over 6 weeks. Also available online - such students must have access to a computer with Microsoft Windows 7 or later and a good internet connection. Prerequisites: PUBH5018 Corequisites: PUBH5211 Assessment: 1x 3 page report (30%) and 1x 8 page report (70%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
In this unit the biostatistical concepts covered in earlier units are extended to cover analysis of epidemiological studies where the outcome variable is categorical. Topics of study include: testing for trend in a 2 x r contingency table; the Mantel-Haenszel test for the combination of several 2 x 2 tables, with estimation of the combined odds ratio and confidence limits; multiple logistic regression; Poisson regression; modelling strategy. The assignments will involve practical analysis and interpretation of categorical data. Data analyses will be conducted using statistical software (SAS).
Textbooks
Course notes are provided.
PUBH5213 Survival Analysis

Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Tim Schlub Session: Semester 2b Classes: 1 x 1hr lecture and 1 x 1hr tutorial per week for six weeks both face to face and distance mode. Students studying in distance mode must have access to a computer running a version of Microsoft Windows compatible with the latest version of SAS. Corequisites: PUBH5211 Assessment: 1x 3 page assignment (20%) and 1x 10 page assignment (80%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
During this unit, students learn to analyse data from studies in which individuals are followed up until a particular event occurs, e.g. death, cure, relapse, making use of follow-up data also for those who do not experience the event. This unit covers: Kaplan-Meier life tables; logrank test to compare two or more groups; Cox's proportional hazards regression model; checking the proportional hazards assumption; and sample size calculations for survival studies. For each topic participants are given some material to read beforehand. This is followed by a lecture, then participants are given one or two exercises to do for the following week. These exercises are discussed in the tutorial at the next session before moving on to the next topic. That is, in most weeks the first hour is a tutorial and the lecture is given in the second hour. Participants are expected to run SAS programs in their own time. Preparation time for each session is 2-3 hours. The assignments both involve use of SAS to analyse a set of survival data.
Textbooks
Course notes are provided.
SURG5001 Prac. Research Methods for Surgeons I

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Marc Gladman, Professor of Colorectal Surgery; Associate Professor Natasha Nassar, Epidemiologist/Senior Research Fellow Session: Semester 1 Classes: 4x 5 hr workshops. Participants will be able to achieve each module's objectives by completing the provided essential reading, working through the set questions and taking part in the workshops. For each module, additional reading and resources will be provided for those who wish to pursue the topic in more detail. Assessment: Participation (40%). Participation marks are awarded for the submission of set exercises and attendance at workshops. Written assignment (60%). Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Evidence-based Surgery: How to find, assess, interpret and PRODUCE the evidence

Evidence-based Medicine involves the application of current best evidence when making decisions about the care of patients, but where is the evidence in Surgery and how strong is it? Should patients receive prophylactic antibiotics when undergoing hernia repair? How does laparoscopic compare to open surgery? Stent or surgery in vascular disease? Which patients need adjuvant therapy after oncological surgery? This course will provide direct instruction on how to read, understand and fully evaluate surgical publications to enable you to apply the findings to your own clinical practice.

As every surgeon knows, there is no better way of learning a procedure than doing it yourself. Similarly, the best way to understand surgical research is to perform it. Therefore, the course will provide students with a step-by-step guide that will demystify and guide students through the process of surgical research. The focus is to provide students with the knowledge, tools and skills to undertake their own research study both within the Masters of Surgery and beyond. It will cover key aspects from identifying study question, searching and appraising the literature, selecting appropriate study design, to designing a study, outcome measures and methods for data collection. It will also cover issues affecting study quality, such as bias and confounding.
By the end of the course you will be able to (i) read, understand and fully evaluate surgical publications and (ii) develop a research protocol of your own and undertake a comprehensive literature review in your selected clinical area of interest with a view to subsequent peer-review publication. The course will involve interactive lectures and practical exercises and opportunities to interact with key experts in the field. Assessment will be based on attendance and participation in workshops and submission of a written assignment.
SURG5003 Prac. Research Methods for Surgeons II

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Marc Gladman, Professor of Colorectal Surgery; Associate Professor Natasha Nassar, Epidemiologist/Senior Research Fellow Session: Semester 2 Classes: 4 x 5hr lecture/ tutorials; the course will involve interactive lectures and practical exercises Prerequisites: SURG5001 Assessment: Assessment will be based on attendance, completion of weekly exercises and participation in weekly classes (30%); and presentation and submission of a written assignment (70%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Get Ahead in Surgery: Research Output - Produce or Perish

A competitive edge facilitates rapid career progression and success in Surgery. Increasingly, emphasis is being placed on non-technical skills to differentiate surgeons. In particular, surgeons are expected to present at scientific meetings and publish in peer-reviewed journals, but what tuition or guidance is provided to enable these goals to be achieved?

This course will ensure that students are confident writing and revising papers for peer-review publication and are able to deliver professional presentations at scientific meetings. The key focus is on achieving key research output with the explicit aim of enhancing your CV. There is particular emphasis on providing an "insider's guide" to successful abstract and paper writing, using a standardized and highly successful approach. Presentation at national and international scientific meetings demands can be daunting, regardless of seniority. Take your presentation skills to the next level. Learn an approach used in media skills training to prepare and delivery powerful presentations like the experts. Understand how to handle your audience and give them what they want.

By the end of the course you will be confident (i) writing and revising papers for peer-review publication and (ii) preparing effective abstracts and delivering powerful, professional presentations at scientific meetings. The course will involve interactive lectures and practical exercises and opportunities to interact with key experts in the field. Assessment will be based on attendance and active participation in weekly tutorials and a written assignment, involving preparation of an abstract and paper for publication.
Textbooks
Current evidence-based medicine and surgical literature- references supplied
SURG5007 Dissertation A

Credit points: 9 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Pierre Chapuis Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 6hrs per week independent supervised research Assessment: Candidates will be required to submit the dissertation in the form of a paper dealing with research on a specific topic. It should be the equivalent of one paper which would be acceptable for publication in a peer reviewed scientific, academic or professional journal. In keeping with Academic Board policy there is an option to submit published work based on research undertaken while enrolled for this degree. Mode of delivery: Supervision
The dissertation is a formal piece of writing relevant to the subject area of the masters degree. Candidates will work on a specified research project under appropriate supervision. At least one of the project supervisors must be an academic staff member of the University. The dissertation is in Parts A and B, both of which will be completed in a minimum of one year of full time study or two years of part time study.
SURG5008 Dissertation B

Credit points: 9 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Pierre Chapuis Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 6hrs per week independent supervised research Assessment: Candidates will be required to submit the dissertation in the form of a paper dealing with research on a specific topic. It should be the equivalent of one paper which would be acceptable for publication in a peer reviewed scientific, academic or professional journal. In keeping with Academic Board policy there is an option to submit published work based on research undertaken while enrolled for this degree. Mode of delivery: Supervision
The dissertation is a formal piece of writing relevant to the subject area of the masters degree. Candidates will work on a specified research project under appropriate supervision. At least one of the project supervisors must be an academic staff member of the University. The dissertation is in Parts A and B, both of which will be completed in a minimum of one year of full time study or two years of part time study.
SURG5011 Imaging Surgical Patients

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Raffi Qasabian, Dr Kevin Ho Shon Session: Semester 2 Classes: 8 x 2 hr lectures Assessment: practical assignment involving case studies requiring investigation leading to diagnosis (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) evening
The unit of study aims to introduce all types of imaging relevant to the practice of surgery, to understand the underlying physical and technological principles upon which imaging relies and to know the indications for use and complications of imaging. By the end of the unit students will understand the scientific basis of the various imaging modalities and the indications for their use and appreciate the importance of protection of patients and personnel from the harmful effects of imaging.
The contents of the unit are: B mode, spectral analysis and duplex ultrasound; computerised tomography; magnetic resonance; positron emission tomography; radio isotope imaging; angiography; imaging guided therapeutic techniques and safety measures in imaging.
Textbooks
Current surgical literature - references supplied.
SURG5012 Surgical Metabolism

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Vincent Lam Session: Semester 2 Classes: Online (limit 35 students) Assessment: Compulsory participation in 6 online modules x 5% (30%) Complete a 2000-5000 word assignment (70%) Mode of delivery: Online
The aims of the unit are for the student to acquire knowledge of nutrition in surgery and to understand adaptive response of the body to stress, trauma and sepsis. By the end of the unit the student will become competent in providing enteral and parenteral nutritional therapy to metabolically compromised patients. Content includes Nutrition assessment, Surgical Complications in Malnourished, Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition, Complications in Obese, Obesity and Surgery, Short Bowel Syndrome and Enterocutaneous fistula.
Textbooks
Reading materials will be posted online prior to the sessions
SURG5013 Safety in Surgery

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor John Andrew Cartmill Session: Semester 1 Classes: 8 x 2 hr lectures Assessment: attendance and practical assignments involving case studies Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) evening
This unit of study aims to gain insight into safety in surgery from dual perspectives; that of the individual surgeon 'on the spot' as well as the broader social, technological and political context. At the end of the unit, students will have learned to appreciate performance limitations of individuals and teams, develop personal safety skills and behaviours and develop skills in debriefing, incident analysis and disclosure.
Content includes generic industrial accidents, mishaps and near misses; human factors, psychology and surgical decision making, team theory and critical incident debriefing, incident analysis and disclosure.
Textbooks
Current surgical literature - references supplied.
SURG5017 Microsurgery

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Graham J. Gumley, Associate Professor Bernard Schick Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 6x 2 hour labs/tutorials, plus 3 x 2.5hr (Saturday) labs (limit 10 students) Assessment: Presentation of logbook and attendance at each tutorial/lab session (40%), technical competence (40%), assignment (20%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) evening
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Students request permission from the postgraduate coordinator (pierre.chapuis@sydney.edu.au) to enrol in this unit. The coordinator emails the Postgraduate Student Administration Unit advice that the student has permission to enrol. Waitlist: Due to the limitation of students, please contact the Discipline of Surgery office to be waitlisted for this course.
The course will deliver focused sessions on applied Microsurgical anatomy, and practical training in Microsurgery - Micro vascular and micro neural techniques. Real time demonstrations, Video, other visual and printed material will be used to aid teaching and to supplement the "eyes on scope" sessions. Sessions will comprise of brief lecture, demonstration of techniques to be developed in the class, followed by supervised Microsurgical practice with set objectives and standards. Students will keep a detailed log book and present a discussion paper on an element of Microsurgery they find challenging or stimulating.
Textbooks
Notes will be distributed prior to the course commencing.
SURG5020 Advanced Laparoscopic Abdominal Anatomy

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Vincent Lam Session: Semester 1 Classes: 10x2hr tutorials; Laparoscopic Workshop Department of Anatomy, Anderson Stewart Building, date to be confirmed. Assessment: Presentation of quiz answer and attendance at each tutorial (10x 4%), assignment (60%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) evening
Note: Students must contact Unit of Study coordinator as early as possible to receive pre-reading material
The course will deliver focused sessions on applied laparoscopic anatomy, pertinent to specific procedures in colorectal, upper gastrointestinal, general and urological surgery. Video, other visual and others material will be used to aid teaching of the abdominal, pelvic and retroperitoneal laparoscopic anatomy involved in these procedures. Printed material and worksheets will be read and completed prior to each session. Sessions will comprise five 2-hour sessions and one weekend half-day anatomy workshop.
Textbooks
Reading materials will be posted online prior to the sessions.
SURG5021 Transplantation Immunobiology

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Alexandra Sharland, alexandra.sharland@sydney.edu.au Session: Semester 1 Classes: The unit is delivered online and will require approximately 10 hours study per week. Assessment: Formative multiple choice question assessment of pre-existing knowledge in Immunobiology allows students to identify strengths and weaknesses before starting the leaning modules. Short-answer questions cover the knowledge acquired in each module. Students may access reference materials and other resources whilst completing the questions. Each set of questions must be completed and submitted by the due date (listed on the website in the document 'Schedule and Important dates for SURG_5021'), and before students proceed to the next module. Answers to each module contribute 12% to the final score for the Unit (total 60% for the 5 modules), and a multiple choice quiz to be completed in the final week of the UOS contributes 40% to the final score. Mode of delivery: Online
Over 15,000 Australians have or will develop end-stage organ failure this year, and this number is expected to grow exponentially with the rise in underlying conditions such as diabetes and hepatitis C. Organ transplantation is thus becoming increasingly important as a therapeutic modality. This unit of study will introduce students to the fundamental principles of transplantation immunobiology, which are essential to the understanding of clinical solid organ transplantation. This unit is a prerequisite or co-requisite for students wishing to undertake SURG5022, Principles and Practice of Transplantation, and for students completing a transplantation project for their dissertation. The unit contains an introductory module and 5 learning modules, which students work through at their own pace. These modules are: 2. Overview of the Immune System, 3. MHC Biology, Antigen Presentation and Allorecognition, 4. Effector mechanisms in Transplant Rejection, 5. Brain Death, Ischaemia-Reperfusion Injury and Innate Immune Responses in Transplantation, and 6. Transplantation Tolerance. Each module contains online lectures and links to recommended reading, followed by a series of short-answer questions.
Textbooks
Abbas, Lichtman and Pillai, Cellular and Molecular Immunology, 7th edition, Saunders.
SURG5022 Principles and Practice of Transplantation

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Alexandra Sharland, Professor Richard Allen Session: Semester 2 Classes: The unit is delivered online and will require approximately 10 hours study per week. Prerequisites: SURG5021 Assessment: Formative mcq assessment of prior knowledge in clinical transplantation, 6 structured clinical cases: individual answers (60%), contribution to online discussion (20%), major case commentary in final 2 weeks (20%). Mode of delivery: Online
Over 15,000 Australians have or will develop end-stage organ failure this year, and this number is expected to grow exponentially with the rise in underlying conditions such as diabetes and hepatitis C. Organ transplantation is thus becoming increasingly important as a therapeutic modality. This unit of study will provide an overview of the surgical and medical management of solid organ transplant donors and recipients. Course participants will also explore the demographics, underlying conditions and co-morbidities of transplant recipients, the role of randomised clinical trials in the management of transplant immunosuppression, and the ethical aspects of transplantation. The major learning activities of this unit will be based around six cases in clinical transplantation.
Textbooks
Current transplantation literature - linked to online teaching materials.
SURG5025 Adv. Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Assoc Prof Vincent Lam, Associate Professor Arthur Richardson Session: Intensive September,Semester 2 Classes: four full consecutive days, Semester 2 Assessment: Presentation of worksheets and attendance at each tutorial (20%=4x5% per tutorial), assignment (80%) Mode of delivery: Block mode
The objective of this unit of study is for participants to develop greater understanding of the operative anatomy, pathophysiology and treatment options for complex hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases by laparoscopic or open means. This unit of study will introduce participants to key areas of operative anatomy, pathology, imaging and surgical techniques at an advanced level. By the end of the course, participants will have developed the ability to critically appraised contemporary hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgical practice.
Textbooks
Reading Materials will be posted online prior to the sessions.
SURG5031 Surgical Skills

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Marc Gladman, Dr Michael Suen Session: Semester 2 Classes: 3 full consecutive days, limit 16 students per semester: Introductory presentations for each topic, including step by step demonstrations of practical skills; Small group workstations to focus on basic skills and techniques; Hands-on practice with review sessions to consolidate skills; Continuous formative feedback and close work with faculty. Assessment: 2 x online exam for non clinical comps, 1x2 hr lab based assessment for technical skills. Submission of 1x ¿ hr edited and annotated skills trainng video. Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) evening
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Waitlist: Due to the limitation of students, please contact the Discipline of Surgery office to be waitlisted for this course.
Two set of competencies that are essential for a career in surgery will be taught ¿ firstly, the non clinical competencies of leadership, communication, collaboration, health advocacy, scholar and teacher plus the essentials of ethics and health law, and secondly the essential technical skills involved with open and endoscopic/laparoscopic surgery.
Textbooks
The Australian Medico-Legal Handbook Stewart, Kerride and parker. Safety at the Sharp End Flin, O¿Connor and Crichton. Tissue Approximation in Endoscopic Surgery Cuschieri and Szabo.
SURG5032 Physiology and Pharmacology for Surgeons

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Peter Kam Session: Semester 2 Classes: The unit is delivered online by recorded lectures and will require approximately 10 hours study per week. Assessment: 4 x online quizzes (40%); 1 x 2 hr multiple choice exam held on campus (not avail online) (60%) Mode of delivery: Online
This Unit of Study teaches the Physiology required for surgeons, and examined in the RACS Surgical Science Examination. The content will be based on Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology plus Respiratory Physiology - The Essentials JB West. The Unit of Study also teaches the Pharmacology required for surgeons.
Textbooks
Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology Barrett K, Brooks W Boitano S, Barman S plus Respiratory Physiology - The Essentials JB West
SURG5034 Surgical Anatomy based on GSSE

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Lindsay Wing and Professor Pierre Chapuis Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 8 x alternate Sat tutorials and practical classes with exercises Assessment: Assessment is compulsory without a medical certificate. There is a required pass mark for the MCQ and Spot Questions. Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: This unit is limited to 24 places per semester. Candidates should apply to the Postgraduate Coordinator (pierre.chapuis@sydney.edu.au) to be placed on the waitlist.
The aim of this course is to prepare the student for the Anatomy component of the Part 1 examination of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Each of the 8 modules has three components:
i) Identification of tagged anatomical structures in wet prosections of the anatomical area for the session
ii) Multiple choice question (MCQ) exercises
iii) "Spot" questions on anatomical prosection photographs
The methodology used in the latter two components is similar to that used by RACS in the Part 1 examination. The 8 modules comprise: upper limb (2), lower limb (2), head and neck (4), thorax (1), abdomen (3), and pelvis (1). Self directed study is required before each of the sessions.
Textbooks
Last's Anatomy 9th Edition.
SURG5035 Surgical Research and Evaluation

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kerry Hitos Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x1 hr lec and 1x1 hr tut/wk over 10 weeks (The unit will be delivered on line) Corequisites: PUBH5018 Assessment: On-line short answer questions cover the knowledge acquired. Each set of questions must be completed and submitted by the due date and before students proceed to the next module. Answers to each module will contribute (30%) to the final score of the unit. A written assignment will also contribute (70%). Mode of delivery: Online
The objective of this unit is to provide candidates with an understanding of key methodological concepts of level one evidence based studies needed to conduct high quality surgical research. It will cover basic concepts on how to identify when is surgery research, principles of good clinical research practice and provide the necessary skills on how to measure the quality of care. Key topics focus on how to identify, appraise, select and synthesise a systematic review and meta-analysis. The use of databases and registries and how to best present statistical analysis and summarise data. This unit will provide candidates with the skills to measure the quality of surgical care as well as evaluate surgical performance and measures of effects. Candidates will be able to critically appraise published statistics and learn to identify publication bias before applying the findings to their own clinical practice. Introductory Biostatistics (PUBH5018) is not a pre-requisite, however it is recommended.
Textbooks
Notes will be linked to online teaching material.
SURG5036 Surg Research: Translation and Innovation

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kerry Hitos Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x1 hr lec and 1x1 hr tut/wk over 10 weeks (The unit will be delivered on line) Assessment: On-line short answer questions cover the knowledge acquired. Each set of questions must be completed and submitted by the due date and before students proceed to the next module. Answers to each module will contribute (40%) to the final score of the unit. A written assignment will also contribute (60%). Mode of delivery: Online
The objective of this unit is to introduce candidates to the basic concepts of innovation. Participants will be able to identify and evaluate surgical innovation as well as focus on the methodological and practical challenges to rigorous surgical research. Candidates will be have the skills to design and complete level one evidence based research in surgery with a key focus on randomised and non-randomised controlled trials. The course will evaluate the complexity of surgical innovation and how to identify related factors influencing outcome. Candidates should be able to identify challenges facing the surgical research community when performing an evaluation of a therapeutic, procedure-based intervention. How to pinpoint the issues and deconstruct these into constituent methodological parts such that several important areas will be targeted for developing a systematic process that would guide appropriate, evidence based surgical practice. Ethical aspects in research and innovation will be addressed and the process of translational research will be reviewed. Other broad topics will focus on surgical oncology and survival analysis; evaluating performance when measuring the value of surgical research and the key concepts in diagnostic tests and accuracy in surgery.
Textbooks
Notes will be linked to online teaching material.
SURG5037 Basic Sciences and Benign Breast Disease

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Andrew Spillane, A/Prof Sanjay Warrier Session: Semester 1 Classes: Weekly online lectures. Discussion boards and webinars. Assumed knowledge: Applicants must have completed basic surgical training. Assessment: Online multiple choice quizzes (30%); submission of short answer questions (10%); 1 x online multiple choice and short answer question examination (60%). A score of 50% or higher must be obtained in each assessment component to pass the unit of study. Mode of delivery: Online
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: This unit of study is aimed at surgeons who are currently participating in Fellowship training in breast surgery or who are currently practising breast surgery. It is not suitable for junior surgical trainees or those hoping to train in surgery. Prior to being enrolled in this unit, the candidate must notify the the unit coordinators if they are a post-fellowship trainee.
Breast surgery requires comprehensive knowledge of the basic sciences of the breast and also the various elements of benign breast diseases. This unit of study aims to prepare candidates for a career in breast surgery. The unit content focuses on:
1. The anatomy of the breast, axilla and donor sites for reconstruction flaps;
2. Anatomical variations and physiological changes in the breast and axilla;
3. Benign breast diseases including mastitis, mastalgia, nipple discharge and aberrations of normal development and involution (ANDI); and
4. Current radiological modalities in breast disease imaging and risk assessment for patients.
Textbooks
ABC of Breast Diseases: 3rd Edition : Michael Dixon
SURG5038 Malignant Breast Disease & MDTs

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Weekly online lectures. Discussion boards and webinars. Assumed knowledge: Applicants must have completed basic surgical training. Assessment: Online multiple choice quizzes (30%); submission of short answer questions (10%); 1 x online multiple choice and short answer question examination (60%). A score of 50% or higher must be obtained in each assessment component to pass the unit of study. Mode of delivery: Online
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: This unit of study is aimed at surgeons who are currently participating in post-fellowship training in breast surgery or who are currently practising breast surgery. It is not suitable for junior surgical trainees or those hoping to train in surgery. Prior to being enrolled in this unit, those candidates who are post-fellowship trainees must notify their unit coordinators of their course commitment.
Breast surgery requires a thorough knowledge of the science and management of malignant breast disease. This unit of study aims to prepare the post fellowship candidate for a career in breast surgery. The content focuses on the pathology and recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of malignant breast disease. Candidates will gain an in depth understanding of: the available prognostic assessment tools; the multidisciplinary care of breast cancer patients, including adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy as well as the integral role of the breast care nurse and other allied health staff; risk reduction interventions and survivorship issues. Specific surgical decision algorithms and surgical options for malignant and insitu disease will be thoroughly explored and explained.
Textbooks
Breast Surgery a Companion to Surgical Practice. Dixon