Medicine - Surgical Science

Course Outline
The aim of the programme is to provide postgraduate education in surgery for clinical students (medical graduates), to enhance their academic understanding of the speciality, prior to or during early surgical training. The Masters programme will also provide structured research opportunities.

The MCh in Surgical Science is a two-year part-time programme with an annual intake, comprising of taught modules and a dissertation. The taught modules consist of formal teaching material and course work, individual assignments including case studies, journal reviews and clinical skills teaching towards the development of a competitive clinical, teaching and research portfolio.

Why Choose This Course
This innovative programme will provide you with a strong foundation with which to progress through specialist surgical and other postgraduate training. There is significant use of e-learning therefore campus based contact teaching time is condensed recognizing the work commitments of surgical trainees. The modular structure offered allows flexibility to trainees who can opt to access a one year certificate or two year diploma/masters.

This course combines a focus on surgical efficiencies such as innovative strategies in decision making, improving surgical key performance indicators and the development of the early career surgeon as a service and team leader.

Year 1
SY6001 Essentials in surgery 1 - Infection prevention and management including antibiotic stewardship, wound management and healing (10 credits)

MX6007 Surgical Metabolism - Optimising Metabolism and Fluid Management in the surgical setting (5 credits)

MX6005 Professional Development in Surgery Research Methodology, Innovation and Device Development (15 credits)

Completion of year 1 leads to the award of a certificate in surgical science.

Year 2
SY6002 Essentials in surgery 2 - Optimising efficiencies, pre-op screening and early discharge strategies, theatre process, pain management (15 credits)

MX6006 Professional development in surgery 2 - Leadership and management strategies, self-care and human factors awareness, safety solutions and error reduction in surgery including radiation safety training, the surgeon as an educator (15 credits)

Completion of 60 credits in year 1 and 2 leads to the award of a Diploma in Surgical Science.

SY6003 Research Project in surgery - Research dissertation (30 credits)

Completion of 90 credits leads to the award of a Masters in Surgical Science

Modules
Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our book of modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

University Calendar
You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.

Requirements
Applicants for the MCh in Surgical Science will be medical graduates and will have attained the Degrees of MB BCh BAO or equivalent from a recognised medical school

AND

Be eligible for full registration as a doctor with the Irish Medical Council.

English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university approved English language requirements.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland:
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements.

International/non-EU applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure please visit our how to apply pages for international students. In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

For more information please contact the International Office.

How Do I Apply

1. Choose Course
Firstly choose your course. Applicants can apply for up to two courses under one application. Details of taught courses are available on our online prospectus.

2. Apply Online
Once you have chosen your course you can apply online at the online application portal. Applicants will need to apply before the course closing date. There is a non-refundable €50 application fee for all courses apart from the Education - Professional Master of Education - (Secondary School/Post-Primary Teacher Training) which has a €100 application fee.

Note: Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Nursing must apply on the PAC website when the programme opens for applications.

3. Gather Supporting Documents
Scanned copies of the following documents will need to be uploaded to the online application portal in support of your application. Applicants may need to produce the original documents if you are accepted onto a course and register at UCC.

- Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC

- Any supplementary items requested for your course.

Please log into the online application portal for more details.

4. Application processing timeline
Our online application portal opens for applications for most courses in early November of each year. Check specific course details.

5. Rounds
For courses that are in the rounds system (Irish and EU applicants), please check the rounds closing dates.

Questions on how to apply?
Please use our web enquiry form to contact us.

2 years part-time.

Additional Teaching Mode Information
Teaching sessions consist of both online learning and face to face teaching sessions.

Skills and Careers Information
This course/programme may appeal to those contemplating or embarking on a surgical career or those who wish to broaden their academic portfolio to enhance their competitiveness. It may also be attractive to overseas students who would like the opportunity to learn more about the surgical environment in Ireland and expand their academic repertoire and surgical management strategies.

On completion of the MCh students will be expected to have a sound knowledge and comprehension of strategies which improve surgical outcomes and will have developed evaluative, problem solving, management and leadership skills. This will enhance possibilities of securing core and higher specialist training opportunities Those who continue to masters level will have undertaken substantive research in their field of practice.