Advanced Surgery (Breast Surgery)

Master of Advanced Surgery (Breast Surgery)

Graduate Diploma in Advanced Surgery (Breast Surgery)

Graduate Certificate in Advanced Surgery (Breast Surgery)

 
These courses are not available to student visa holders. International students on other visas with study rights may apply.
 

Overview

The Breast Surgery coursework program has been developed in collaboration with Breast Surgeons of Australia and New Zealand Inc. (BreastSurgANZ).

The program is designed to provide breast surgeons with the latest knowledge of breast oncology as well as the full range of breast surgical and oncoplastic techniques. It is suitable for Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in General Surgery or equivalent, who are training or have completed training, in breast surgery.

The coursework covers the basic sciences of breast disease with a focus on clinical applications of core knowledge of anatomy, risk assessment, benign breast diseases, imaging, and screening. The science and management of malignant breast disease, including recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis, assessment and management of malignant breast disease will also be covered.

Students will gain an understanding of 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.

Specific surgical decision algorithms and surgical options for malignant and in situ disease will be explored. Comprehensive interrogation of level 1 and 2 oncoplastic breast surgical techniques will be thoroughly explored and explained.

Course outcomes

The breast surgery coursework will prepare students for the subtle complexities of contemporary multidisciplinary breast cancer care and will assist in optimising surgical decision making.

The knowledge developed will complement the practical experience gained during post-fellowship training offered by BreastSurgANZ, and augment research, leadership and communication skills.

Structure

The Master of Advanced Surgery (Breast Surgery) requires 48 credit points, including:

• 12 credit points of capstone core units of study; and
• 24 credit points of surgery selective units of study; and
• 12 credit points of elective units of study.

The Graduate Diploma in Advanced Surgery (Breast Surgery) requires 36 credit points, including:

• 24 credit points of surgery selective units of study; and
• 12 credit points of elective units of study.

The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Surgery (Breast Surgery) requires 24 credit points, including:

• 24 credit points of surgery selective units of study.

Students complete the following units of study in sequence, one each semester:

• Basic Sciences and Benign Disease
• Malignant Breast Disease and MDTs
• Oncoplastic Breast Surgery I
• Oncoplastic Breast Surgery II.

The elective units of study have been curated to ensure their suitability for established practitioners. They provide the opportunity to broaden and deepen knowledge in selected areas. For example, there are opportunities to further develop clinical knowledge or improve research skills or learn more about health policy.

For those wishing to undertake the Master’s, as part of the course, you will undertake a research project and write a paper suitable for publication. The BreastSurgANZ database will be available for these projects to suitable candidates. Supervisors will need to be approved by the Course Coordinators.

The breast surgery coursework is delivered fully online with lectures and podcasts, surgical videos and other educational resources supplemented by online discussion and webinars.

Examinations are also completed online at a location of the student’s choice.

Students can tailor the coursework to meet their needs. The program consists of a sequence of articulated courses:

• Graduate Certificate
• Graduate Diploma and
• Master’s.

Students can upgrade or downgrade their course providing they meet the resolutions of the degree.

Sydney Professional Certificate

Breast surgeons who would like to enhance their skills to improve breast conservation and reconstruction will be able to complete the oncoplastic breast surgery units and receive the Sydney Professional Certificate in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery.

Sydney Professional Certificates comprise two units of study. Successfully completed units may subsequently be credited to any of the degrees. Established breast surgeons may also choose to undertake a single unit and this can be negotiated on an individual basis.

Details of all Sydney Professional Certificates will be found in the Interdisciplinary Studies Handbook.

• Sydney Professional Certificate in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery
  – SURG5039 Oncoplastic Breast Surgery Level 1
  – SURG5040 Oncoplastic Breast Surgery Level 2

Further enquiries

Professor Andrew Spillane
Phone: +61 2 9114 1221
Email:

Associate Professor Sanjay Warrier
Phone: +61 2 9114 1221
Email:
Website: Discipline of Surgery