Future Students > Postgraduate Research Programs > MS
The Master of Surgery (MS) Program requires an original contribution to knowledge in some field related to surgery. Generally, candidates must have at least three years' experience of surgical training and there should be a lapse of five years before the thesis is submitted from the date of the award of the undergraduate medical degree. Qualifications Enrolment Progression Thesis Examination Clinical Schools - Where degree may be undertaken Qualifications (1) A candidate for the degree shall have been awarded the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of New South Wales or a qualification considered equivalent from another university or tertiary institution at a level acceptable to the Committee. It must be noted that the Master of Surgery is intended for postgraduates who have medical degrees registrable in Australia and who are able to secure an appropriate appointment, salaried or otherwise, in a teaching hospital recognised by the University of New South Wales. (2) In exceptional cases an applicant who submits evidence of such other academic and professional qualifications as may be approved by the Committee may be permitted to enrol for the degree. (3) If the Committee is not satisfied with the qualifications submitted by an applicant the Committee may require the applicant to undergo such assessment or carry out such work as the Committee may prescribe, before permitting enrolment. Enrolment (1) An application to enrol as a candidate for the degree shall be made on the prescribed form which shall be lodged with the Registrar at least one calendar month before the commencement of the session in which enrolment is to begin. (2) In every case before making the offer of a place the Committee shall be satisfied that initial agreement has been reached between the School and the applicant on the topic area, supervision arrangements, provision of adequate facilities and any coursework to be prescribed and that these are in accordance with the provisions of the guidelines for promoting postgraduate study within the University. (3) An approved candidate shall be enrolled in one of the following categories: (a) full-time candidature: a candidate who is fully engaged in advanced study and research at the University or at one of its teaching hospitals; (b) part-time candidate: a candidate whose occupation leaves the candidate substantially free to pursue a program of advanced study and research at the University or at one of its teaching hospitals; (c) external candidature: a candidate who is engaged in advanced study and research away from the University or one of its teaching hospitals. (4) A candidate shall be required to undertake an original investigation on an approved topic. The candidate may also be required to undergo such assessment and perform such other work as may be prescribed by the Committee. (5) The research shall be supervised by a supervisor or supervisors who are members of the academic staff of the School or under other appropriate supervision arrangements approved by the Committee. Normally an external candidate within another organisation or institution will have a co-supervisor at that institution. (6) No candidate shall be awarded the degree until the lapse of four academic sessions from the date of enrolment in the case of a full-time candidate or six academic sessions in the case of a part-time or external candidate. In the case of a candidate who has had previous research experience the Committee may approve remission of up to two sessions for a full-time candidate and three sessions for a part-time or external candidate. (7) A full-time candidate for the degree shall present for examination not later than eight academic sessions from the date of enrolment. A part-time or external candidate for the degree shall present for examination not later than ten academic sessions from the date of enrolment. In special cases an extension of these times may be granted by the Committee. Progression The progress of the candidate shall be considered by the Committee following report from the School in accordance with the procedures established within the School and previously noted by the Committee. (i) The research proposal will be reviewed as soon as feasible after enrolment. For a full-time student this will normally be during the first year of study, or immediately following a period of prescribed coursework. This review will focus on the viability of the research proposal and will be a format to determine if the candidature is confirmed. (ii) Progress in the course will be reviewed within twelve months of the first review. As a result of either review the Committee may cancel enrolment or take such other action as it considers appropriate. Thereafter, the progress of the candidate will be reviewed annually. Thesis (1) On completing the program of study a candidate shall submit a thesis embodying the results of the investigation. (2) The candidate shall give in writing to the Registrar two months notice of intention to submit the thesis. (3) The thesis shall present an account of the candidate’s own research. In special cases work done conjointly with other persons may be accepted, provided the Committee is satisfied about the extent of the candidate’s part in the joint research. (4) The candidate may also submit any work previously published whether or not such work is related to the thesis. (5) Four copies of the thesis shall be presented in a form which complies with the requirements of the University for the preparation and submission of theses for higher degrees. (6) It shall be understood that the University retains the four copies of the thesis submitted for examination and is free to allow the thesis to be consulted or borrowed. Subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act, 1968, the University may issue the thesis in whole or in part, in Photostat or microfilm or other copying medium. Examination (1) There shall be not fewer than three examiners of the thesis, appointed by the Committee, at least two of whom shall be external to the University. (2) At the conclusion of the examination each examiner shall submit to the Committee a concise report on the thesis and shall recommend to the Committee that: (a) The thesis merits the award of the degree. (b) The thesis merits the award of the degree subject to minor corrections as listed being made to the satisfaction of the Head of School. (c) The thesis requires further work on matters detailed in the report. Should performance in this further work be to the satisfaction of the Higher Degree Committee, the thesis would merit the award of the degree. (d) The thesis does not merit the award of the degree in its present form and further work as described in the examiner’s report is required. The revised thesis should be subject to re-examination. (e) The thesis does not merit the award of the degree and does not demonstrate that resubmission would be likely to achieve that merit. (3) If the performance at the further examination recommended under (2)(c) above is not to the satisfaction of the Committee, the Committee may permit the candidate to represent the same thesis and submit to further examination as determined by the Committee within a period specified by it but not exceeding eighteen months. (4) The Committee shall, after consideration of the examiners’ reports and the results of any further examination, recommend whether or not the candidate may be awarded the degree. If it is decided that the candidate be not awarded the degree the Committee shall determine whether or not the candidate may resubmit the thesis after a further period of study and/or research. Clinical Schools Prince of Wales Clinical School South Western Sydney Clinical School St George Clinical School St Vincent's Clinical School
