UCL DIVISION OF SURGERY AND INTERVENTIONAL SCIENCE

About the MSc

The MSc in Surgical Science is run by the UCL Division of Surgery and Interventional Science.

Students gain skills in established and rapidly developing areas of robotics, laparoscopic and micro-surgery; in the verbal and written communication of science; experimental design and application; and scientific analysis; all with an in-depth understanding of science-based subjects of clinical relevance. The students are encouraged to work towards conference presentation and publication of their research project.

Our aims		Our objectives
The aims of this programme are: To improve the level of scientific knowledge, appreciation and critical analysis by surgical trainees. And to provide supervised in-depth research projects on basic and translational surgical science for surgical trainees.		The ethos of the MSc is to provide graduate teaching and research to junior surgeons with a two-fold objective: To introduce trainee surgeons to in-depth scientific thinking, knowledge and practice, as applied to Surgery. To equip trainee surgeons with critical, analytical thinking and skills at Masters level, and provide equivalent qualifications to enable career progression.

The MSc is run from the Royal Free Campus, UCL, with some modules run at Bloombury Campus and other UCL sites.

The Medical School has highly rated basic science expertise within its academic and clinical departments thus guaranteeing an excellent research environment. Students have the advantages of studying in a multi-faculty college with a long tradition of excellence, situated within the heart of one of the world's greatest cities.

This MSc has the approval of the Royal Colleges of Surgery.

How to Apply

Duration of Programme

Full-time: One calendar year
Commences: September 2013

When to apply Applications can be received at any time; however, students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines. All candidates who are shortlisted will be invited to interview.

Course Structure

The MSc in Surgical Science comprises 180 credits.
The programme consists of :

• A compulsory MSc research project (90 credits). We actively encourage students to work towards presentations and potential publications.

• A compulsory module on Research Methods and Transferable Skills (15 credits) equips students with the necessary skill set for preparing, presenting and analyzing their research results.

• 5 optional modules (75 Credits) from 2 lists:

Dissertation (Research project) All students undertake an independent basic science laboratory research project on a subject of relevance to their clinical interests which culminates in a dissertation of 15,000 words. Teaching and Learning The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. Assessment Student performance is assessed through unseen written examination papers, written reports, oral presentations, written coursework and oral examinations, and a dissertation and oral examination for the research project.

• Further details can be found on the MSc handbook (word)
  

Modules

To pass the MSc it is necessary to get 180 credits comprising:

• Compulsory Research project (90 Credits)

SURGGS99: Research Project

An in-depth project is expected and encouraged.

To be assessed by submission of dissertation and Viva.

See additional information on the research project at the end of handbook.

•  Compulsory Modules (15 Credits)

•  Optional Modules (75 Credits)

One module from list A (15 credits) and four modules from List B (60 credits) which made 75 credits in total.

List A 15 Credits
List A has been extended with a new module.

SURGGS12: Advanced Surgical Skills New from 2012

The BRAND NEW module in Advanced Surgical Skills (15 credits) teaches Robotic Skills (this is an established hands on Robotic Surgery course and Laparoscopic Skills course) and Microsurgery Skills in dedicated teaching spaces/surgical theatres. Successful completion of the module is accompanied by certificates on both skill sets. Costs for these two courses (>£3,000) are included in the MSc fee.

The module is run at Chitra Sethis Centre for Robotics and Minimal Access Surgery at UCLH and at Northwick Park Medical Research Institute.

Optional modules cover a wide variety of topics which reflect the research activities within the Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, and beyond from the wider UCL community.

Topics include: Nanotechnology; Regenerative Medicine; Orthopaedics; Systematic Reviews and Surgical Oncology...

ORTHG008: Research Methods and Skills

Extended research methodologies beyond ORTHG007.

List B 60 Credits
Extended list available later in the handbook. Four 15-credit modules are required. Modules available from the Division of Surgery and Interventional Science and the Division of Cell and Developmental Biology.

Fees

Course Fees for 2013/2014

* MSc fees incorporate charges for the Advanced Surgical Skills Module, with certificates in Robotic Surgery and Laparoscopic Skills (Chitra Sethia Centre for Robotics and Minimal Access Surgery, UCLH) and Microsurgery Skills (The Northwick Park Medical Research Institute). These courses usually cost £6,000.

Staff

Programme Tutor

Royal Free Campus

Programme Administrator

Royal Free Campus

After MSc

What next after the MSc

Studies: The MSc provides both surgical skills and academic training; the MSc  is designed to enhance career prospects of surgeons in training. The programme also provides a good scientific foundation for those more academically motivated and who want to proceed on to study for an MD or PhD. Future career: The Programme has the full approval of the Royal Colleges of Surgery and has been designed for candidates aiming to progress in a surgical career. First destinations of recent graduates include: Southend Hospital: Surgeon; Queen Medical: Surgeon; Bangor Hospital: Doctor; Royal Derby Hospital: Core Surgical Trainee; Stanmore Hospital: Academic Clinical Fellow; Kings College Hospital NHS Trust: Specialist Registrar in Cardiothoracic; Greater Glasgow NHS: Paediatric Surgery Registrar & Training Surgeon. RAE Rating Surgery: 75% Cancer, 70% other Hospital-based subjects rated 4* or 3*. [Photograph left to right - Dr Marilena Loizidou, Ms Michele Pannaman, and Prof Barry Fuller who were awarded the EMEA award for the iBSc Surgical Science Team on July 6th 2010]