MSC in Surgical Sciences Programme Handbook

The Edinburgh Surgical Sciences Qualification
Certificate, Diploma and MSc

in Surgical Sciences

Programme Handbook
2011-2012

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the University of Edinburgh:
UnitingProfessional & AcademicExcellence

August 2011

Foreword

Welcome to the Edinburgh Surgical Sciences Qualification, Cert / Dip / MSc in
Surgical Sciences delivered by online distance learning.

You are expected to read this handbook carefully, and in conjunction with the
Universitys Code of Practice for Taught Postgraduate Programmes.

This handbook is designed to help you make the most of your time on the
programme by providing essential and useful information relating to the course in a
readily accessible, indexed form. Some important general aspects covered in this
handbook are amplified in the Universitys Code of Practice for Taught Postgraduate
Programmes.

This handbook does not in itself constitute or in any way supersede the Universitys
Regulations, which you are also expected to familiarise yourself with. Having the
status of guidance, this handbook describes the Postgraduate Schools
recommended practice but does not preclude its recommendations being waived in
certain circumstances if good reason for such departure can be found.

University of Edinburgh Regulations 2011/12
http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk/11-12/regulations/index.php

University of Edinburgh Taught Postgraduate Programmes Assessment Regulations
2011/12

http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/academic-services/students/postgraduate-
taught/assessment

http://www.docs.sasg.ed.ac.uk/AcademicServices/Regulations/TaughtAssessmentRe
gulations.pdf

Code of Practice for Taught Postgraduate Programmes
http://www.docs.sasg.ed.ac.uk/AcademicServices/Codes/CoPTaughtPGProgrammes
.pdf

TableofContents(Ctrl +click name below to go straight to item)
Welcome to the ESSQ.....................................................................................1

Getting Started.................................................................................................2
Educational Aims of the Programme................................................................3
Eligibility Requirements....................................................................................4
Programme Outcomes.....................................................................................4
Programme Team............................................................................................6
Main Programme Contacts ..............................................................................6
Academic Support and Guidance....................................................................7
Postgraduate Decision-making Structure.........................................................9
Calendar of the Academic Year 2011/12.........................................................9
ESSQ Programme Content and Structure.....................................................10
Year 1: Certificate..........................................................................................10
Year 2: Diploma.............................................................................................12
Years 1 and 2: Examination Procedure .........................................................15
Year 3: MSc Research Project.......................................................................16
Progression Requirements and Assessment Procedure................................17
Plagiarism and Cheating................................................................................19
Late Submission............................................................................................21
Interruptions or Extensions to Study..............................................................21
Procedures for Academic Appeals.................................................................23
University of Edinburgh Administrative Contacts ...........................................24
Tuition Fees...................................................................................................24
Electronic Etiquette and Conduct...................................................................25
Independent Study.........................................................................................25
MyEd..............................................................................................................25
University E-mail............................................................................................26
Your University (Student) Card......................................................................26
IT and Computing Support.............................................................................26
University Computing Regulations.................................................................27
Using the University Library...........................................................................27
EUSA and the Advice Place ..........................................................................28
Student Counselling Service..........................................................................28
Disability Office..............................................................................................29
Chaplaincy.....................................................................................................29
Representation and Feedback.......................................................................29
Matriculation ..................................................................................................30
Quality Assurance..........................................................................................30
Course Enrolment..........................................................................................30
Graduation.....................................................................................................30

Appendix I, Degree Programme Table..................................................................32
Appendix II, Mark Grade Description for Discussion Board Participation.......33
Appendix III, Mark Grade Description for MCQ Participation.........................34
Appendix IV, Mark Grade Description for Mini-Essay....................................35
Appendix V, Mark Grade Description for Critical Review Task......................36

WelcometotheESSQ
All those involved in developing and in delivering the Edinburgh Surgical Sciences
Qualification welcome you to this innovative and unique programme. This joint
qualification for surgical trainees represents a historic collaboration between the
University of Edinburgh and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh who have
been at the forefront of innovations in surgical education and assessment over
centuries. Our first group of students graduated from the programme in J uly 2010
and it is evident from the increasing number of applicants and from the student
feedback that this course really does meet the needs of surgical trainees in their
formative years.

We are very pleased you have chosen to take the ESSQ, and we very much hope
you will enjoy your time studying with us. This jointly awarded modular qualification is
intended to lead you through the early years of training within the new core or run-
through training programmes in surgery. The programme is designed for busy
trainees who are looking to develop their knowledge base and its application during
their clinical training. Delivered online with end-of-year Certificate and Diploma
examinations in Edinburgh and internationally, it offers a strong grounding in basic
sciences as applied to surgery. In the United Kingdom, the ESSQ is intended to take
you via a modular route to the equivalent level of the MRCS (Membership of the
Royal College of Surgeons). It enables you to gain educational credits from the
University that are validated by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, leading
progressively to a Certificate (Year 1), Diploma (Year 2) and a Master of Science
(MSc) in Surgical Sciences (Year 3). You can take the MRCS examination whenever
you choose but Year 1 is set at a level roughly equivalent to MRCS Part A and Year
2 aims to prepare you for Part B. For those who are in the early years of training but
not intending to undertake the MRCS examination, the programme does offer a
robust means of consolidating knowledge as applied to the basic surgical sciences.

Since this is a distance learning course, we appreciate that this may represent a new
way of learning for you, and we aim to make this new experience a rewarding one.
The technology will allow you to study from anywhere in the world, thus students
from many different counties and backgrounds come together to form an online
community which has the capacity to provide a rich and unique learning experience.

We emphasise that students are not in competition with one other - there is, for
example, no limit on the number of distinctions available - and that there are many
advantages in participating in a group learning environment. Furthermore, there is
now increasing emphasis on in-course assessment and timely undertaking of course
assignments combined with interaction on discussion boards will make the end of
year examination less daunting and prepare you well for the MRCS examination if
you are preparing yourself for this professional qualification. You are therefore
encouraged to get to know and support each other using the various communication
tools which are provided by eeSURG, your virtual learning environment. This will
enable you to form a supportive online learning community and to build your own
network of academic colleagues for the future.

We expect that this course will provide a stronger base for surgical learning and one
that meets the needs of the modern surgeon's further training and career
development.

Professor O James Garden
Regius Professor of Clinical Surgery, University of Edinburgh
ESSQ Programme Director
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GettingStarted
On the first day of the programme you will be e-mailed a username and password for
the eeSURG learning environment: http://learning.essq.ed.ac.uk This is separate to
your MyEd account which will enable you to access regularly e-mail and online
resources held by the University library (see page 27).
The eeSURG Homepage

You will also receive a username and password to access three key texts for Years 1
and 2 using Elseviers Student Consult service.

The timetable for each year is displayed along the left hand side of the eeSURG
homepage, and current work and notices from the ESSQ team appear and update in
the centre of the screen. Your previous work is always available to you but you
cannot access upcoming modules in advance.

Along the right hand side of the home page you will find links to a vast
knowledgebase and the community pages where you have your own profile and
meet your classmates and e-tutors on the discussion boards. Discussion boards are
linked to the individual elements of each module and require your active participation
since these are assessed. There are also helpdesks which are not assessed, and
non-academic boards where members of all years can meet.

Please remember to check your University of Edinburgh e-mail account at least twice
a week or set up a forwarding address to your personal account. Details of how to
do this are here.

Note: After the course start date, all e-mail correspondence (including
deadlines and feedback/grades) will be sent only to your University of
Edinburgh e-mail account. Your personal e-mail accounts will no longer be
used by ESSQ staff.

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EducationalAimsoftheProgramme

The Edinburgh Surgical Sciences Qualification comprises a postgraduate
programme which can lead to a Certificate, Diploma and the Degree of MSc in
Surgical Sciences. The programme is run jointly by the College of Medicine &
Veterinary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh and the Royal College of
Surgeons of Edinburgh.
The programme is aimed at trainee surgeons who wish to obtain a knowledge base
and to consolidate skills acquired during undergraduate medical training and during
the two subsequent Foundation years in the United Kingdom. Being online, it also
suits surgeons in other countries looking to benefit from a supportive learning
environment during the early years of their surgical training. The programme also
offers a high quality training programme in basic core surgery to complement the
current MRCS examination.

The ESSQ is based on a recognised syllabus with a focus on knowledge of applied
basic surgical science in a clinical context. The syllabus is based on all the generic
elements taken from the nine syllabi submitted to the former Postgraduate Medical
Education Training Board (now merged with the General Medical Council, GMC) by
the surgical specialties together with the relevant elements from the GMC publication
Good Medical Practice.

The programme aims to ensure that students acquire:

knowledge of basic sciences required for a surgical career and have
demonstrated their ability to apply these appropriately;

the necessary basic technical and management skills in the care of the
critically ill patient;
knowledge of physiology, anatomy, embryology and disease pathology that

will underpin early surgical training across the broad range of surgical
specialties;

specific knowledge to a greater depth in the foregoing areas, according to the
specialty interest and clinical exposure of the ab initio surgical trainee;

surgical and investigative techniques applicable to selected surgical
specialties and in generic techniques applicable to minor procedures across a
range of surgical specialties;

peri-operative management including general management of the
postoperative patient and wound care;

clinical decision making and judgement skills as applied to surgical patients in
the elective, urgent and emergency clinical setting;
professional and other generic aspects of surgical practice

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EligibilityRequirements
ESSQ students should meet the criteria stipulated on the ESSQ website:
www.essq.rcsed.ac.uk Students are expected to be in a clinical training post for the
duration of their study.

Technical requirements for online learning
ESSQ students will need access to a Mac or Windows based computer with internet
access for the entirety of the course. The eeSURG platform supports Internet
explorer and Firefox web browsers, although Firefox is preferred. For most of
eeSURGs content a 56k (33kbps) modem or 2G (10kbps) mobile internet will be
sufficient. Students should be confident navigating the world-wide-web and be
proficient with office based packages such as Microsoft Office or OpenOffice.

For further details regarding online learning at Edinburgh University please see IT
and Computing Support on page 26.

ProgrammeOutcomes

The ESSQ is a taught, part-time MSc course delivered over three years. Modules are
offered by distance e-learning designed to run alongside clinical training and
complement in-the-workplace assessment. Taught components are delivered to
groups of students through bulletin boards and discussion forums using a clinical
problem-based review of the course material, and in the Certificate level especially,
focuses on case scenarios of common surgical disease that the trainee is likely to
encounter in the early years of surgical training. Individual surgical research training
is provided through a research-based dissertation in the third year of study on a topic
to be chosen by the student.

Graduates will be expected to be able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and
attributes listed below.
Knowledge and Understanding
Knowledge of applied anatomy relevant to the practice of surgery

Knowledge of applied physiology relevant to the practice of surgery

Knowledge of applied pathology and bacteriology relevant to the practice of
surgery

An understanding of the preoperative assessment and management of the
surgical patient

An understanding of the postoperative and critical care of the surgical patient

An understanding of research and teaching methodology

Knowledge and an understanding of evidence based surgery

Interactive clinical and written communication skills with patients and fellow
health care professionals within a multidisciplinary setting
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Intellectual Skills
Ability to exercise critical judgement in the management of the surgical patient

Ability to evaluate the appropriate investigative options of the surgical patient

Ability to apply theory and evidence to the assessment and management of
the surgical patient

Ability to evaluate the appropriate treatment options for specific surgical
conditions

Self evaluation skills including the ability to make patient referrals when
appropriate

Ability to account for clinical decisions and actions in the management of the
surgical patient

Ability to analyse published evidence

Ability to apply the principles of evidence-based medicine to professional
practice in surgery

Commitment to the role of a multi-disciplinary team approach to the
management of the surgical patient

Application of communication skills in the context of obtaining informed
consent

Ability to conduct small-scale investigation and/or research projects in
surgical practice
Professional/Subject-specific/Practical Skills
An ability to plan and achieve identified goals in a personal and professional
context

Recognition of the changing nature of knowledge and ability to acquire new
knowledge for currency of surgical practice

Ability to work and communicate within a multi-disciplinary team environment
care

Awareness of ethical practice and adherence to professional codes of
practice

Commitment to improving outcomes for patients suffering from surgical
pathology

Accept responsibilities for professional actions, including where relevant,
clinical decisions in different practice settings

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Transferable Skills
Ability to use information technology for professional and personal
development

Information literacy skills including the ability to locate, evaluate and use
information in a range of contexts

Organisational and time management skills in both professional and clinical
contexts

An ability to deliver leadership within a multidisciplinary environment
ProgrammeTeam

The Programme Director, Year Directors, Academic e-Facilitator, and e-tutors are
responsible for the smooth running of the MSc in Surgical Sciences. Your main
contact will be with the ESSQ Office at RCSEd essq@rcsed.ac.uk The Programme
Director through the ESSQ Office is responsible for promotion and admission, co-
ordination of teaching inputs, examinations, programme evaluation, and curriculum
development. The Programme Director and individual Year Directors are there to
facilitate students orientation and smooth progression through the various elements
of the ESSQ, from the initial Certificate and Diploma years to successful completion
of the dissertation in the third (MSc) year.

Subject-specialist e-Tutors provide academic support through online discussion
boards during Years 1 and 2 and Masters Project Supervisors support you during
Year 3. The Programme Director is your senior supervisor.

On successful completion of Year 2, you are invited to nominate a supervisor
appropriate for your chosen project topic if you are intending to progress to MSc level
in year 3.

Contacts for the programme are listed below. The ESSQ Main Office
essq@rcsed.ac.uk is the first point of contact for students and will distribute
messages to the programme team on your behalf.

Students may contact the Year Directors, Programme Director or Academic e-
Facilitator directly if their message is of a more personal nature.
MainProgrammeContacts

ESSQ Main Office
Ms Caroline Smith Programme Manager
Ms Kaisey Baillie Programme Administrator

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
Nicolson Street, Edinburgh. EH8 9DW

Hours: 9-5pm, Mon Fri
Tel: +44 (0) 131 527 1604
Fax: +44 (0) 131 557 6406
E-mail: essq@rcsed.ac.uk
Web: www.essq.rcsed.ac.uk
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Academic e-Facilitator
Dr Paula Smith
The University of Edinburgh

Tel: +44 (0) 131 242 2878
E-mail: paula.smith@ed.ac.uk

Programme Director
Professor O J ames Garden
Regius Professor of Clinical Surgery
Clinical and Surgical Sciences (Surgery)
Royal Infirmary Edinburgh
EH16 4SA

Tel: +44 (0) 131 242 3614
Fax: +44 (0) 131 242 3617

E-mail : ojgarden@ed.ac.uk
Or penny.earle@ed.ac.uk

University of Edinburgh School of Surgery Website: www.surgery.ed.ac.uk

Year Directors can be contacted through the ESSQ Office:
Year 1 Director
Ms Anna Paisley
Consultant General and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon
Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer

Year 2 Director
Mr Peter Lamb
Consultant General and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon
Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer

Year 3 Director
Professor Stephen Wigmore
Professor of Transplantation Surgery

AcademicSupportandGuidance

You are supported throughout the course by a variety of subject-specialist surgical e-
tutors who report to the Year Director or to an e-module leader. Personal profiles of
e-tutors are available on the eeSURG learning environment, and you will also have
your own personal profile page. A number of non-surgical guest e-tutors also assist
periodically, providing additional support for the teaching of individual units within the
courses.
- 7 -

The Programme e-Tutors role is to:

Support students in undertaking the prescribed course material through the
compulsory, assessed discussion boards

The e-Module Leaders role is to:

Support students and e-Tutors during their module, ensure content is up-to-
date and report any issues or suggestions to the Year and Programme
Directors.

The Masters Project Supervisors role is to:

Take responsibility for the supervision of a student year 3 research project.

The Year Directors role is to:

Support students, e-Module leaders and e-Tutors as they progress through
the year, responding to feedback and developing the content and teaching in
that year.

The Academic e-Facilitators role is to:

Co-ordinate the international network of e-Module leaders and e-Tutors.
Ensure that students are appropriately informed to participate in learning
activities and assessment.

An online course is quite different from traditional face-to-face learning environments,
but it offers unique opportunities for students. Many online learners find they have a
greater interaction with tutors and peers, and they can access the learning materials
at a time and place that suits them.

Monitor student progress and provide formative feedback.
Evaluate and improve the programme by collating student feedback.

Feedback is very much a two-way process, and we encourage you to let us know if
you have views or suggestions regarding the ESSQ programme by regular e-mail to
the e-facilitator, and also by completing the end of semester online questionnaires. It
is important you inform us of any issues in a timely manner: we can try to implement
change if we know about problems during the course rather than the end!

If you are unsure about any aspect of the course or wish to discuss your progress
informally, please contact Dr Paula Smith (paula.smith@ed.ac.uk).

The Programme Directors role is to:

Give advice and guidance on core courses before students begin the
programme and provide them with support.
Keep track of students progress throughout the programme of study.
Provide advice and guidance for in-course and end-of-year assessment.
Advise when students are seeking interruption of studies or extension.

It is your responsibility to inform the Programme Director through the ESSQ office
immediately of any problems that are interfering with your coursework or progress
- 8 -
through the Programme, including any religious or medical requirements that might
affect your participation in any aspect of the Programme.
PostgraduateDecisionmakingStructure
Postgraduate activity in the School of Clinical Sciences and Community Health is
overseen by the School Postgraduate Studies Committee. The Committee reports to
the College Postgraduate Studies Committee, and deals with all matters that affect
postgraduate students in the School.
CalendaroftheAcademicYear2011/12
The ESSQ programme begins on 5th September 2011, and the semester and
assessment/examination dates are as follows:

Year 1
Semester 1 05 September - 18 December 2011
Christmas Break 19 December 2011 01 J anuary 2012
Semester 2 02 J anuary 25 March 2012
Easter break 26

March 08 April 2012
Semester 2 (cont.) 09 April 20

May 2012
Revision Period 21 May 11 J une 2012
End-of Year Examination (first diet) Tuesday, 12 J une 2012
End-of Year Examination (second diet) Thursday, 19

J uly 2012

Year 2
Semester 1 05 September - 18 December 2011
Pre-operative Care Mini-Essay Deadline 24 October 2011
General Surgery Mini-Essay Deadline 05 December 2011
Christmas Break 19 December 2011 01 J anuary 2012
Semester 2 02 J anuary 25 March 2012
Orthopaedics Mini-Essay Deadline 26 March 2012
Easter break 26

March 08 April 2012
Semester 2 (cont.) 09 April 20

May 2012
Critical Review Deadline 21 May 2012
Revision Period 21 May 11 J une 2012
End-of Year Examination (first diet) Tuesday, 12 J une 2012
End-of Year Examination (second diet) Thursday, 19

J uly 2012

Year 3
Start of Year 05 September 2011
Project Outline Deadline 03 October 2011
Project Summary Deadline 05 December 2011
e-Poster Deadline 19 March 2012
Masters Project Report Deadline Monday, 30 April 2012

Marks and Feedback
Students can expect to receive feedback on their in-course assessments within
three-weeks of the submission date/end of discussion board. Feedback on online
MCQ attempts is immediate. Examination/Masters Project Report and end-of-year
results will be issued following ratification by the Board of Examiners.

Examination Boards
Examination Board meetings for each Year take place twice a year, in May/J une and
August. An External Examiner is appointed for every MSc programme to moderate
and adjudicate marking.
- 9 -

The University Academic Year can be found at http://www.ed.ac.uk/news/semester-
dates/201112
ESSQProgrammeContentandStructure
Time required to achieve qualifications:

Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits) 12 months
Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) 24 months
MSc (180 credits) 36 months

In this section you will find further information of the content for each of the courses,
including details of aims and objectives and assessment tasks. Please note that
additional information on the timing and content of modules is provided on the
eeSURG learning environment http://learning.essq.ed.ac.uk.

In developing this course it is understood that the training doctor will have variable
demands on time with peaks and troughs of activity which will impact on the
participation of discussion boards. However, you will be expected to participate
actively in the online discussion activity for each topic and will also be expected to
complete the equivalent of around 10 hours of self-directed study per week during
the programme semesters. This will involve working to the programme timetable and
reading the identified reference texts and journal articles.

If you experience any problems and find that you are struggling at any point,
you must contact the Year and Programme Director through the ESSQ Office,
as soon as possible.
Year1:Certificate
Candidates who complete successfully 320 credit core courses (60 credit points) of
compulsory coursework within the first 12 months and pass the required examination
are eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Certificate.
Core Course 1: Applied Surgical Anatomy
Core Course 2: Applied Surgical Physiology
Core Course 3: Applied Surgical Pathology

The topics above are covered via a series of modules:
Semester 1:
1. Introduction
2. Cardiovascular and Respiratory (CVR A-E)
3. NMIH (1) Neoplasia and Microbiology

Semester 2:
4. NMIH (2) Immunology and Haematology
5. Gastrointestinal (GI1 and GI 2) and Transplant
6. Colorectal
7. Urology
8. Locomotor and Plastics
9. Endocrinology, Breast & Skin
10. ENT / Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

- 10 -
Year 1: Levels and Credits (Core Courses: Anatomy; Physiology; Pathology)
Postgraduate level
SCQF level 11
20 SCOTCAT credits
Compulsory part of degree

Year 1: Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None, other than the programme entry requirements.
Students MUST participate in the programme to progress and participation is
monitored and assessed.
To progress to Year 2 students must pass the end-of-year examination (which
contributes to 75% of total marks) combined with the total grade for the in-
course assessment of discussion board (15%) and MCQ-attempt participation
(10%).

Year 1: Aims and Purpose

Through a series of typical cases encountered on the ward, Year 1 introduces the
student to 1) human anatomy 2) human physiology and 3) human pathology and
microbiology relevant to surgical practice in general.

Year 1 aims to:

1) Ensure that you assimilate knowledge of the applied anatomy that will be
required for a surgical career including sound three dimensional knowledge of the
anatomy relevant to surgical practice and to the major imaging methods.
Sufficient knowledge of applied surgical embryology should be acquired to allow
understanding of common congenital abnormalities and acquire basic knowledge
of the normal microscopic structure of tissues and organs.

2) Ensure that you have a working knowledge of the general physiological principles
that maintain homeostasis, have knowledge of the physiology of specific organ
systems and understand the application of these principles in the preoperative
assessment, operative management and postoperative care of the surgical
patient.

3) Ensure that you have a sound understanding of pathology and microbiology as
applied to general surgical practice and that will underpin surgical training across
the broad range of surgical specialties in the early years of your clinical
experience.

Year 1: Learning Objectives

Year 1 aims to ensure that you have a sound understanding of anatomy, physiology,
pathology and microbiology as applied to general surgical practice and that will
underpin surgical training across the broad range of surgical specialties in the early
years of your clinical experience.

Learning objectives for individual virtual cases are available at the start of each case
on the eeSURG learning environment.

- 11 -
Year 1: Assessment
Assessment consists of two main components:
In-course participation assessment (25%)
End-of-year examination (75%)
Note: the relative weighting of in-course assessment has increased this year to
reflect the importance of this formative assessment.
Year 1 is assessed during the course, primarily by meaningful participation in online
discussion with e-tutors (15%). Participation is assessed by the e-tutor at the end of
each discussion board period. Students are expected to undertake each of the case
scenarios through which the formative MCQs are accessed. These are not marked
individually but serve to reinforce the acquisition of the knowledge base linked to
each case and module. However, students who attempt over 75% of the available
self-test MCQs are awarded 10% towards the final assessment for the year

At the start of the academic year there are 140 sets of self-test MCQs within the
online cases of Year 1 (approximately 1,300 questions) and these may be added to
during the course of the year.

The marking criteria for assessment of discussion and participation is available at the
end of this handbook. Please be aware that poor performance during the year can
affect adversely the prospects of passing the overall assessment and of being
permitted to progress to an MSc. Similarly, a good performance during the year can
compensate for a poor performance in the end-of-year assessment.

The formative assessment activities allow you to regularly evaluate your learning and
modify your progress. You will find the discussion boards provide a stimulating
environment for you to interact with and learn from e-tutors as well as other students,
and these also offer valuable networking opportunities.

The end-of-year examination (Single Best Answer and Extended Matching
Questions) aims to ensure integration of the applied basic sciences into surgical
practice in general. Key principles that underpin assessment activities are evidence-
based practice and the application of theory to clinical practice.

Year 1: Student Load
You are expected to participate actively in the online discussion activity and self-test
MCQs for each module. You are also expected to complete around 10 hours of self-
directed study per week, working online following the eeSURG study schedule.
Year2:Diploma
Students who complete successfully a further 60 (610, giving a total of 120) credit
points of coursework within the first 24 months and pass the required examination
are eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma.
Core Course 4: Preoperative Assessment
Core Course 5: Principles of Surgical Management
Core Course 6: Principles of Postoperative and Critical Care
Core Course 7: Surgical and Communication Skills
Core Course 8: Specialist Surgery
Core Course 9: Academic Activity

- 12 -
The courses above are covered via a series of modules:

Semester 1:
1. Pre-operative Care
2. Surgical Skills / Communication Skills 1
3. Principles of Surgical Management 1 (General Surgery / Surgical Oncology)
4. Communication Skills 2
5. Principles of Surgical Management 2 (Paediatrics, Vascular Surgery,
Cardiothoracic Surgery, Urology, Breast Surgery / Endocrine)

Semester 2:
6. Principles of Post-operative and critical care (Peri-operative Care, Critical
Care and Trauma)
7. Principles of Surgical Management 3 (Orthopaedic Surgery, ENT/OMFS,
Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery)
8. Academic Surgery
Year 2: Levels and Credits
(Core Courses: Preoperative Assessment; Principles of Surgical Management;
Principles of Postoperative and Critical Care; Surgical and Communication
Skills; Specialist Surgery; Academic Activity)

Postgraduate level
SCQF level 11
10 SCOTCAT credits


Students must have passed the Certificate year
Participation is key to a students success in the ESSQ. Participation is
monitored and assessed. To progress to Year 3, students must pass the
end-of-year examination (which contributes to 70% of overall year mark)
which is combined with the total grade for the in-course assessment of four
mini-essays (15%), discussion board participation (10%) and MCQ-attempt
participation (5%).


Year 2 introduces you to

1) Pre-operative care

2) The principles of surgical management,

3) The principles of the post-operative management and critical care

4) Basic surgical and communication skills

Year 2 aims to ensure that you have an understanding of the principles of:

1) The pre-operative assessment and management of the surgical patient,
including anaesthetic and haematological issues in the surgical patient

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2) The surgical management of the patient including surgical technique, wound
management and minor procedures

3) The post-operative monitoring of the surgical patient including the metabolic
and nutritional support, and the management of postoperative complications

4) The professional, management and other generic aspects of surgical practice
including clinical governance, medico-legal aspects of surgery and clinical
decision making and judgement as applied to surgical patients in the elective,
urgent and emergency clinical setting.

The academic module allows you to develop an understanding of research and
teaching methodology and health care issues.


Year 2 aims to ensure that you have a sound understanding of:

1) The principles of pre-operative care

2) Surgical management

3) Post-operative management

4) The professional, management and generic aspects of surgery as applied to
general surgical practice and that will underpin surgical training across the
broad range of surgical specialties in the early years of their clinical experience.

5) The academic module allows you to develop an understanding of research and
teaching methodology and acquire an understanding of evidence-based
surgery relevant to surgery in general but applied within a tailored module to
common surgical issues within the specialties of one of neurosurgery, urology,
general, cardiothoracic, head and neck, maxillofacial surgery, paediatric, plastic
and orthopaedic surgery.

Year 2: Assessment
Assessment consists of two main components
In-course participation assessment (30%)
End-of-year examination (70%)
Note: the relative weighting of in-course assessment has increased this year to
reflect the importance of this formative assessment.

In-course, Year 2 is assessed via meaningful participation in online discussion (10%)
and self-test MCQ attempts (5%). Year 2 students are also given four 500 word
essays which are linked to identified discussion boards throughout the year and
which contribute a further 15% towards the final mark.

The marking criteria for discussion board participation and mini-essays are available
at the end of this handbook.

- 14 -
Students who attempt over 75% of the available self-test MCQs are awarded 5%
towards the final grade for the year. At the start of the academic year there are 16
sets of self-test MCQs within the teaching blocks of Year 2 (approximately 180
questions) but these will be augmented during the year.

The marking criteria for assessment of discussion and participation are available at
the end of this handbook. Please be aware that poor performance during the year
can affect adversely the prospects of passing the overall assessment and of being
permitted to progress to an MSc. Similarly, a good performance during the year can
compensate for a poor performance in the end-of-year assessment.


You are expected to participate actively in the online discussion activity, and self-test
MCQs for each module, and to submit each of the four mini-essays. Late work will be
penalized (see below). You are also expected to complete around 10 hours of self-
directed study per week, working online following the eeSURG study schedule.
Years1and2:ExaminationProcedure

The multiple question examinations will comprise one Single Best Answer (SBA)
question paper and one Extended Matching Question (EMQ) paper. The question
papers will be standard set and reviewed by the Examination Board.

The examinations are paper-based and take place in Edinburgh and for UK and
Ireland-based students and at approved international centres for others.
International centres must meet all University of Edinburgh criteria for security and
invigilation. Common practice is to utilise sites occupied by the British Council.

Final marks are scrutinised and approved by a Board of Examiners, including an
external examiner. This board meets as soon as possible after the examination has
been marked. Subsequent to that meeting, students receive their result in confidence
via their University of Edinburgh e-mail address.

The date of the ESSQ end-of-year examination is 12 June 2012.

There will be a second sitting of the examination on 19 July 2012 for those who
failed or could not attend the first sitting and whose requests for special
circumstances are accepted by the Board of Examiners.

The University of Edinburghs Examination Hall Regulations are followed:
http://www.registry.ed.ac.uk/Examinations/Examhall.htm

Special Circumstances to be absent from an examination
If you have special circumstances which may mean you are unable to attend for
examination on the date and time indicated, you should provide written evidence to
the Programme Director, as far in advance of the examination date as possible.
Permission to miss an examination without penalty will only be given after the
examination in exceptional circumstances (see page 23).

If you fail to present for an examination and do not contact the ESSQ Office or
Programme Director beforehand you may be deemed to have failed that
examination, be allowed one attempt at retest, and become ineligible to progress to
the Masters year.
- 15 -

Candidates who requested to sit their exam at an approved international exam centre
but failed to attend without good reason are liable for a fee to cover administration
costs.

Year3:MScResearchProject
Candidates who complete successfully 180 credit points of coursework within 33
(submission deadline: May) months are eligible for the award of the Master of
Science. This requires successful completion of the compulsory courses in Year 1
and 2. The project to be undertaken in the third year will involve the planning,
execution and development of a significant body of clinical or laboratory research.
The focus of the project would require prior approval but is likely to involve a critical
analysis of a surgical topic using an evidence based medicine approach.

It is important you inform us of any issues which may adversely
affect your studies (see mitigating / special circumstances sections
on pages 23 & 24).
Please contact the ESSQ Office (essq@rcsed.ac.uk) and academic e-
facilitator (paula.smith@ed.ac.uk) as soon as difficulties arise which
could affect your studies were here to support you!

Core Course 10: Masters Project

Year 3: Levels and Credits (each course)

Postgraduate level
SCQF level 11
60 SCOTCAT credits


Must have passed the Certificate and Diploma levels and each of the two
end-of-year examinations at the required level. See Assessment Regulations
for more information.
All students registered on the MSc of Surgical Sciences MUST write a Project
Report.

Year 3 aims to introduce you to the key elements of academic training through the
preparation and submission of a project report on an agreed research topic. The
project involves the planning, execution and development of a significant body of
clinical or laboratory research. The theme and scope of the project requires prior
approval and is likely to involve a critical analysis of a surgical topic using an
evidence-based medicine approach. The Masters Project aims to allow you to
develop your understanding of research and teaching methodology and health care
issues.

- 16 -
The Masters Project will be defined by negotiation between an appointed educational
supervisor with the approval of the ESSQ Examination Board. The range of subject
will be determined by the relevance to the practice of surgery and feasibility of the
proposed study. Projects will have to be justified through evidence of planning,
statistical probity and achievability. Within these limits a wide range of topics will be
welcome. Further details are laid out in the Year 3 handbook.


The Masters Project aims to allow you to develop an understanding of research and
teaching methodology and acquire an understanding of evidence-based surgery
relevant to surgery in general but applied to common surgical issues within the
specialties of one of neurosurgery, urology, general, cardiothoracic, head and neck,
maxillofacial surgery, paediatric, plastic and orthopaedic surgery.

Year 3: Assessment

You must keep regular contact with your supervisor and submit a project outline,
detailed summary, and e-Poster by pre-agreed milestone dates, specified in the Year
3 handbook. The Project Report will be assessed by the students supervisor and by
a second internal examiner, before the assessment papers and draft results are
presented to a Board of Examiners for final agreement of the mark. The University of
Edinburghs Postgraduate Common Marking Scheme is used and this is available at
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/registry/exams/common-marking-scheme.


You are required to liaise regularly with your Masters Project Supervisor and to
deliver proposals and further detail by pre-agreed milestone dates. Preparation of the
Project Report will require 10 - 15 hours of self-directed study per week.

ProgressionRequirementsandAssessmentProcedure

a) Progress during each course in Year 1 and 2 is monitored by mandatory in-
course participation and in-course discussion.
i. Year 1: 25% of marks are allocated for in-course activity with
the remainder (75%), being attributed to the end of year
examination.
ii. Year 2: 30% of marks are allocated for in-course activity with
the remainder (70%), being attributed to the end of year
examination

b) Assessment of knowledge and application of knowledge during Year 1 and
Year 2 is by Single Best Answer and Extended Matching Questions
administered through an examination at the end of the final semester of each
year.

c) At the end of Year 1, students may be awarded a Certificate if they have
achieved a mark of 40% or more. Students will be allowed to progress to Year
2 and the Diploma stage if they have achieved over 40% of the marks
available from the in-course and end of year assessments.

- 17 -
d) Assessment in Year 2 is through in-course discussion participation, self-test
MCQ attempts, with the addition of four mini-essays. There is also an MCQ
and EMQ end of year examination. At the end of Year 2, students may be
awarded a Diploma if they have achieved 40% or more of the marks available
from the combined in-course and end-of-year assessments. Students will not
be allowed to progress to Year 3 (MSc) unless a mark of 50% or more has
been achieved at first attempt. The Board of Examiners will consider the case
of any student who has failed to achieve an overall score of 50% and
consideration would be given to commitment to in-course activity and
assessment. It would be exceptional for a student who failed to achieve a
score of 50% to be allowed to progress to Year 3.

e) The supervised research project will be undertaken in an approved topic
which will require the submission of a written e-dissertation. This will be
marked both by the supervisor and a second internal examiner. Candidates
who achieve over 50% will be awarded a Master of Science. Distinction will
be awarded for those candidates who achieve a mark greater than 70%.

Postgraduate Assessment Progression (Regulation 49)

For the MSc in Surgical Sciences programme, where there is an identifiable taught
component (Years 1 and 2) followed by a project or dissertation component (Year 3),
students must pass the assessment requirements of the taught stage at an
appropriate level at the first attempt before progression to the dissertation.

In order to progress to the masters dissertation students must:
(a) pass at least 80 credits at SCQF level 11 with a mark of at least 50% in each of
the courses which make up these credits; and
(b) attain an average of at least 50% for the 120 credits of study examined at the
point of decision for progression (end of Year 2), and
(c) if their marks in Year 1 fell between 47-49%, demonstrate a significant
improvement in marks obtained in Year 2, such that they fulfill criterion (b) above and
satisfy the Board of Examiners that they should progress to the masters dissertation.

Marking Criteria

Specific details of the marking criteria for discussion boards can be found at the end
of this handbook.

Examples of the criteria used generally in assessing the dissertation or other
submitted material are:

Adherence to the stated word count
Appropriate and consistent referencing style
Evidence of wider reading
Demonstrates application of theory to practice
Uses relevant literature to support argument and justify conclusions
Demonstrates analytical thinking and ability to synthesise and integrate
understanding

The Universitys Assessment Regulations are available:
gulations.pdf

- 18 -
All work is marked using the Postgraduate Common Marking Scheme.

Mark % Grade Description
90-100 A1 An excellent performance, satisfactory for a distinction
80-89 A2
70-79 A3
60-69 B A very good performance
50-59 C A good performance, satisfactory for a Masters Degree
40-49 D A satisfactory performance for the Diploma and Certificate,
but inadequate for a Masters Degree
30-39 E Marginal fail
20-29 F Clear fail
10-19 G Bad fail
0-9 H

Award of postgraduate distinction
The MSc in Surgical Sciences degree may be awarded with distinction. To achieve a
distinction, a student must be awarded at least 70% on the Universitys Postgraduate
Common Marking Scheme for the e-dissertation, and must pass all other courses
with an average of at least 70% (all courses must be passed at 40% or above for the
award of distinction). Borderlines (68-69%), for both the e-dissertation and course
average elements, are considered for distinctions.
PlagiarismandCheating

Plagiarism is viewed as a serious offence by the Examination Board, the College and
the University and will be penalised. All coursework (discussion boards, mini-essays,
research project phases 1-4) will be checked using the latest plagiarism detection
software.

A useful video tutorial to help you understand plagiarism is available here:
http://www.elearn.malts.ed.ac.uk/appse/elearn/plagiarism/index.html (requires EASE
password)

Definitions
Plagiarism is the act of copying or including in one's own work, without adequate
acknowledgement, intentionally or unintentionally, the work of another, for one's own
benefit. The rules on plagiarism apply to the online discussion boards, as well as all
other written submissions within the ESSQ course.
The plagiarism detection service is an online service that enables institutions and staff to
carry out electronic comparison of students' work against electronic sources including other
students' work. All ESSQ students work (online and submitted) is subject to scrutiny by
the plagiarism detection software (assumed consent unless one explicitly states
otherwise).
The plagiarism detection service works by executing searches of the world wide web, and
extensive databases of reference material, as well as content previously submitted by other
users. Each new submission is compared with all the existing information. The software
makes no decisions as to whether a student has plagiarised, it simply highlights sections of
text that are duplicated in other sources; all work will continue to be reviewed by the ESSQ
course tutor and/or academic e-facilitator. Once work has been submitted to the system it
- 19 -
becomes part of the ever growing database of material against which subsequent
submissions are checked.
The software is used as a tool to highlight any instance where there is a possible case of
plagiarism. Passages copied directly or very closely from existing sources will be identified by
the software and both the original and the potential copy will be displayed for the tutor to view.
Where any direct quotations are relevant and appropriately referenced, the course tutor will
be able to see this and will continue to consider the next highlighted case. There is an on-line
demonstration of the system available at https://www.submit.ac.uk/
Plagiarism is a form of cheating, and is treated seriously as an offence by the
University of Edinburgh. Academic work is based on a synthesis of sources and
ideas. It is perfectly acceptable to make use of another persons ideas or opinions in
formulating your own. Building your knowledge and using it to inform and enhance
your work is encouraged in all disciplines but to use another persons work without
acknowledging it, or under the pretence that it is your own, is plagiarism, and is
contrary to the principles of academic study.

The following are examples of plagiarism:

1) Including in ones own work extracts from another persons work without the
use of quotation marks and the acknowledgement of the source (which may
be a book, a research paper, a web source, another students work, a
lecturers notes,

2) Summarising another persons work without acknowledgement.

3) Using the ideas of another person without acknowledgement of the source.

4) Copying the work of another student, with or without their knowledge or
agreement.

5) Collaborating with students or others on a piece of assessed work that should
be completed and submitted individually.

6) Cutting and pasting from electronic sources without explicit acknowledgement
of the source or author, and without explicitly marking the pasted text in
inverted commas, or labelling the source of the diagram or illustration. The
inclusion of large amounts of such pasted material, even if acknowledged,
always raises doubts about how much of the work presented should be
credited to the student. The same applies to over-quotation from a traditional,
printed source.

Guidance on Avoiding Plagiarism
Plagiarism is academically fraudulent, and is viewed by the University as a serious
disciplinary offence. It may be intentional or unintentional: the innocent misuse of
material without formal and proper acknowledgement can still constitute plagiarism
whether or not deliberate intent to cheat is involved.

You can avoid plagiarism by ensuring that any sources you use in submitted work
are acknowledged adequately and properly referenced, and that appropriate
standards for academic practice in the relevant subject area are always adhered to.
This will include:

- 20 -
providing full citation of all sources (books, articles, web sites, newspapers,
images, artefacts, course notes, data sources etc.) used in the preparation of
a piece of work.

properly referencing the sources of the arguments and ideas used in an
assignment, using the recognised reference system outlined above.

Please note that facilitating plagiarism (e.g. giving someone a word document of your
work) is also an offence.

Cheating is essentially doing anything you would not want to defend in public!
The universitys policy on plagiarism is accessible at
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/information-services/services/learning-
technology/assessment/plagiarism

The University Postgraduate Studies Committee has implemented new rules on what
will happen if plagiarism and/or cheating is discovered in work submitted for a thesis.
Unless the extent of the plagiarism is so great that the original work of the student
can only be viewed as trivial, grading will take place, but the work will be sent to the
College Disciplinary Officer. Serious cases that cannot be viewed as poor
scholarship (possible penalties include a 25-100% mark reduction) will be reported to
the College Disciplinary Officer who has the power to expel a student from the
University (subject to appeal).
LateSubmission

One of the important key professional skills is timely delivery. Marks will be deducted
for coursework which is submitted late. If you have a valid and documented reason
for late submission you must present that information to the ESSQ Office as soon as
possible and before the hand-in date. Decisions on the possibility of an extension will
be made by the Year Director and/or Programme Director.

Late submissions need not be accepted without good reason being given. If it is
accepted late with good reason being provided, then no penalty will be exacted. If it
is accepted late without good reason being provided, it will be recorded as late and a
penalty may be exacted. That penalty will be in accordance with the current
University Guidelines for Taught Postgraduate Degrees. At time of going to press the
penalty for late submission is a reduction of the mark by 5% of the maximum
obtainable mark per working day (e.g. a mark of 65% on the common marking scale
would be reduced to 60% up to 24 hours later). This would apply for up to five
working days (or to the time when feedback is given, if this is sooner), after which a
mark of zero should be given. Students should consult the online Guidelines for most
up-to-date version.

InterruptionsorExtensionstoStudy
Mitigating Circumstances
You may submit a Mitigating Circumstances (MC1) form (available from eeSURG
link) to alert the programme team of any mitigating circumstances which may
adversely affect your input and performance on the programme. Reasons for
- 21 -
exemption from an assessed discussion board or an extension to a course-work
deadline may include:

Medical and health problems
Personal and family problems
Bereavement
Problems experienced because of failure of University equipment or lack of
access to equipment or because of deficiencies in the provision of supervision
or facilities

If there are medical problems, medical certificates will be required. Exemptions and
extensions are not available to permit a student to take extended annual leave /
holiday leave or to effectively extend the period available to a student to complete his
or her studies.

An application for exemption from discussion boards should be made in advance
where possible or as soon as practicable after the problem has emerged or been
discussed. A retrospective exemption can only be applied for where there is good
reason for the late disclosure or application.

A request for an extension to a coursework submission deadline should be made
before the submission deadline, as soon as the need for an extension becomes
apparent. The prescribed assessment deadlines may be extended only in
exceptional circumstances. Reasons for an extension to the deadline might include
circumstances where progress has been hampered by unforeseen difficulties with
facilities or equipment or in obtaining or analysing data and hence completion of the
assessment has been delayed. A request for an extension can not be based solely
on the need for more time to complete.

MC1formavailablefromeeSURG link

- 22 -
Interruption of Study
If you require to interrupt your studies for a prolonged period (>1month), you must
complete an Interruption of Studies form. For the MSc in Surgical Sciences, studied
on a part-time continuous basis, registration may be interrupted for not more than 24
months.

Interruptions of study can only be authorised by the College of Medicine & Veterinary
Medicine Postgraduate Studies Committee, and only granted for stated reasons for
specified (not open-ended) periods.

Special Circumstances Committee
Special circumstances (medical, non-medical, or compassionate) affecting any
formal examination must be notified in writing through the ESSQ Programme
Director. Notification must be made as early as possible, and no later than two
working days after the students exam. Any letter or e-mail giving such notification
must be clearly stated, e.g. subject heading: Special Circumstances.

Exceptionally, students may bring information on special circumstances to the
attention of the Convener of the ESSQ Board of Examiners (via their Programme
Director) at any time. For example, if a student wishes to bring their case regarding
progression to Masters level to the Exam Board by way of Special Circumstances
Committee

Students should note that their special circumstances will be reported, in confidence,
to the Convener of the ESSQ Board of Examiners for consideration by the ESSQ
Special Circumstances Committee, unless the student requests confidentiality.
Recommendations from the Special Circumstances Committee are used by the
Exam Board to make informed decisions but need not be binding on them.

Further information can be found at:
http://www.docs.sasg.ed.ac.uk/AcademicServices/Policies/Special_Circumstances.p
df

ProceduresforAcademicAppeals
An academic appeal is a request for a decision made by a Board of Examiners to be
reconsidered in relation to:
marks
progression
degree classification
degree award
If you are considering lodging an appeal, it is important that you act promptly.
It is important to note that the appeal process cannot be used to challenge academic
judgment. That is, a student cannot submit an appeal simply because they believe
that they deserve a better mark.
Therearespecificandfairlynarrowgroundsunderwhichanacademicappealmay
besubmitted.ThesearesetoutintherelevantuniversityAcademicAppeal
Regulations,seebelow:
http://www.docs.sasg.ed.ac.uk/AcademicServices/Regulations/AcademicAppealRegu
lations.pdf
- 23 -
UniversityofEdinburghAdministrativeContacts

The following teams at University Registry, Finance (Income Section) or the
Postgraduate Office of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.

CMVM Postgraduate Office
The Chancellors Building
49 Little France Crescent
Edinburgh, EH16 4SB

Web : www.mvm.ed.ac.uk/gradschool.
E-mail: Mvmpg@ed.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 131 242 6533
Fax: +44 (0) 131 242 6479

Registry
The University of Edinburgh,
Old College,
South Bridge,
Edinburgh, EH8 9YL

Tel: +44 (0) 0131 650 2112
Fax: +44 (0) 650 8223

Registry deals with a variety of administrative areas and have useful web pages.
Students are advised to check their website first before contacting them:
www.registry.ed.ac.uk
TuitionFees
Any enquires regarding fee payment should be made to the Income Section of the
Finance Department. The Income Section is responsible for securing payment of
tuition fees and related charges promptly and in full, and for initiating recovery action
if this fails.
Web: http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/finance/students/fees
Email: feepayment@ed.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)131 650 9214

If the payment becomes overdue, late payment charges may occur
and non-payment will result in withdrawal from the course and,
potentially, legal action to recover fees due. You are liable to be
removed from the programme as soon as payment becomes
overdue.

- 24 -
Any enquiries regarding the amount charged or regarding bursaries should be made
to the Fees and Student Support Team in the Scholarships and Student Finance
section of Registry.
Web: www.registry.ed.ac.uk/fees
Email: fees@ed.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)131 650 2230
ElectronicEtiquetteandConduct

Students are reminded that effective participation in this distance learning
programme is heavily dependent on the quality and relevance of the postings made
on discussion boards. Students are therefore reminded that electronic
communication demands a set of common rules that should be followed. This
netiquette is available from several sources.
IndependentStudy

Independent study involves reading, structured reflection and preparation for
assessment. You should plan to spend a significant amount of your study time not
only working through the scheduled case scenarios and associated resources, but
also by reading widely. At Masters level it is important that you are able to undertake
independent reviews of the literature and read more widely than a narrow range of
recommended texts. Each of your courses will identify core electronic or other
resource and provide guidance towards recommended literature. You will be able to
discuss and identify core readings, and then provide guidance towards
recommended literature. You will be able to discuss and consolidate your reading in
your formal learning activities, and in the discussion boards.
MyEd

The University portal, MyEd, provides one central secure gateway where new and
returning students can get access to key information and online systems. MyEd is
available worldwide, at any time, to all University of Edinburgh students following
their offer of an unconditional place of study. Access is via
https://www.myed.ed.ac.uk and use of a University standard browser.

Even after graduation, MyEd remains available for you to keep in touch with your
fellow students.

What's in MyEd? - a taster:
Email
Personal announcements
Library Resources, Student Union events, news and discussion, online news
from the University, Edinburgh city and worldwide

Why use MyEd?
It's easy to find and use. It reduces the number of passwords you need to
remember. It puts you in control of layout and design. Its content is secured via the
Edinburgh Authentication SErvice (EASE). It is accessible and highly available. It
keeps you informed. It allows you access to study materials and organisation tools.
- 25 -
UniversityEmail

Your University e-mail account is the main method of communication between you,
the University and the ESSQ Office. Important information and fee invoices are sent
solely to this account. It is vital that you check your University e-mail regularly even
if it is not used as your main e-mail service (a proxy web address to send you your
personal account can also be set up from within your University e-mail).

If you miss work because of not checking your e-mail you will be penalised. See
http://www.acaffairs.ed.ac.uk/Administration/GuidanceInformation/EmailContactPolic
y/Index.htm for more information.
YourUniversity(Student)Card

Shortly after receiving your offer of admission, you will be invited to apply for the
University Card. The University Card is the primary form of identification
required for the end-of-year examinations in Years 1 and 2 therefore it is
essential that you apply for and receive your University Card.

The card also acts as a library and building access control card, and is issued to all
students and staff of the University. It may also be used by University of Edinburgh
students who wish to use other university libraries and to gain student discounts on
travel etc. Distance learning students visiting the University need the card to gain
physical access to the library and other facilities. More information about the
University Card can be found at: www.card.ed.ac.uk.
ITandComputingSupport

As an online distance learning student, you are dependent on University online
information systems for access to their courses and to the resources needed for
study. Below are details of the support and training available.

Students are advised to quote their matriculation number and state that they are
online distance learners in all correspondence.

eeSURG Technical Support

The Learning Technology Section provides technical support for the learning
environment, eeSURG, and their helpdesk is essq@ed.ac.uk

Computing Support

The University of Edinburgh is committed to supporting distance learners. Online
training and downloadable documentation about getting started on the universitys
online systems is available at http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/information-
services/computing

If you have a problem with your personal computer, you can seek support from the
College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Postgraduate Computing Support
Team but if you are in any doubt about the nature of the problem, contact the
Information Services Helpdesk first.

Web: www.lib.ed.ac.uk/services/ishelpdesk.html
Tel: +44 (0) 131 650 3409
- 26 -
E-mail: IS.Helpdesk@ed.ac.uk

The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Postgraduate Computing Support
Team details are:

Web : www.is.ed.ac.uk/itus/mvm/index.html
Tel: +44 (0) 131 650 3027
E-mail: Medical.Support@ed.ac.uk

Open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.
Discounts on software
Staff and students may be able to get personal copies or home-use software through
university site licenses, special deals or academic discount sites.
Before purchasing software for your own use at home, it is worth checking to see if
you qualify for a cheaper option under one of the University of Edinburgh deals. For
more details, see:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/information-
services/services/computing/desktop-personal/software/staff-students/overview
UniversityComputingRegulations

The Universitys computing regulations can be found at: http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-
departments/information-services/about/policies-and-regulations/computing-
regulations within acceptable use policy. For example, the holding or distribution of
computer files containing any material which is offensive, discriminatory, obscene or
otherwise illegal is a serious breach of the University's regulations.

Remember that the regulations on copyright also apply to electronic media such as
the web. Information Services, and other computer service providers in the
University, hold various information on the use of the University's computer systems
and network. This includes log-in and log-out times, virtual learning environment
access statistics and network traffic logging. While normally only used for resolving
operational problems, these logs will be analysed (under paragraph 7 of the
University's Computing Regulations) down to the individual user where a breach of
the regulations or other misuses and abuses of the facilities is suspected. In addition,
statistical analysis may take place, which does not identify any individual, to provide
management information on computer lab, cache, network and general computer
usage.
UsingtheUniversityLibrary

The Ask a Librarian service is there to help you with issues to do with accessing the
librarys digital resources. Enquiries are submitted online, and you should receive a
response within 24 hours. Contact Ask a Librarian at: www.lib.ed.ac.uk/qp/ask.html

To request copies of articles or for more specific enquiries contact Marshall Dozier,
the Senior Liaison Librarian for the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine:
marshall.dozier@ed.ac.uk.
- 27 -

Year 3 students can request digital copies of key articles on the Librarys Ereserve
service. It is most useful for items that either the library only has in print, or that is
not available in the library. The Ereserve team handles copyright clearance and
scanning.

To contact the eReserve Team e-mail: ereserve@ed.ac.uk

Guidance on how to access the universitys main online library systems is also
available here:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/information-services/library-museum-
gallery
EUSAandtheAdvicePlace

All fully matriculated students automatically become members of the Edinburgh
University Students' Association (EUSA). EUSA is governed by the student body and
run by students elected annually from the membership, along with student volunteers
who are recruited throughout the year. The Students' Association is comprised of two
main bodies: the Edinburgh University Union and the Students' Representative
Council. The SRC has a number of sub-committees including a Postgraduate
Committee which any interested PG student can contact to raise general issues. The
Students' Association also employs a number of professional staff who provide
advice and support for students with individual concerns. For getting in touch with
EUSA on representation issues, and for involvement in the Representative Council,
contact them at: postgrad@eusa.ed.ac.uk.

The Advice Place is run by EUSA, and offers free, confidential and independent
advice and support. They can help with a range of issues including funding, council
tax, benefits, immigration, academic issues, and are also knowledgeable on
University procedures including appeals and complaints. The Advice Place operates
as a drop-in centre, but can also be contacted by phone and email. Their web site
gives full details, and is available at: www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/advice. If you would like
advice from EUSA on academic issues, the best way to get in contact is via their
academic advice address: academic.advice@eusa.ed.ac.uk.
StudentCounsellingService

What is student counselling?
When you embark on further studies at a distance you are able to communicate with
your tutors regarding all issues relating to your course. However, sometimes the
pressures of study on top of an already busy life can bring unexpected stresses, or
other events happen in life which impact on your studies and you do not necessarily
feel that you wish to discuss these with your tutor. Sometimes it can be useful to talk
to a counsellor.

A counsellor is someone professionally trained who will listen to your problems in the
strictest confidence, and sometimes this can help you find a way to cope with difficult
problems and find a way to move forward with your life. However, a counsellor does
not give advice and is not a medical practitioner.
Student Counselling at Edinburgh
You can find further information on sources of assistance from the Counselling
Service web site at: www.student-counselling.ed.ac.uk. The link marked Self Help
- 28 -
gives a wide range of information on issues such as depression, bereavement,
anxiety etc. If you are studying within travelling distance of Edinburgh you can make
use of the free Student Counselling Service. The e-mail address to arrange this is:
student.counselling@ed.ac.uk

If you live elsewhere in the UK and feel that it would be useful to talk to a counsellor
you can find the names of counsellors in your area from the British Association of
Counselling and Psychotherapys web-site at www.bacp.co.uk. Counselling is
something that is available more commonly in some countries than others and it is
important that if you do look for a counsellor that you ensure that it is someone with
appropriate qualifications and registration with a professional organisation. You may
be able to find out about availability from a medical practitioner or possibly through a
local University counselling service. You should note that counsellors charge a range
of fees and it is important to find out details of these in advance.
DisabilityOffice

If you have a disability that may affect your studies the University of Edinburgh
Disability Office can offer support to students with a wide range of impairments and
difficulties, including dyslexia, autism, sensory impairments, mobility impairments,
mental health problems and medical conditions like asthma and diabetes. The
Disability Office can assess your requirements and request adjustments and support
you may need or negotiate specific assessment and exam arrangements. Assistance
can only be offered if you have declared a condition or disability on your application
form or have contacted the Disability Office at 6-8 South College Street, Edinburgh,
EH8 9AA.

tel: +44 (0)131 650 6828
text: +44 (0)131 650 9371
e-mail: disability.office@ed.ac.uk
web: http://www.disability-office.ed.ac.uk/

Chaplaincy

The Chaplaincy offers pastoral care for students and staff of the University,
regardless of religious affiliation. They can provide someone to talk to and offer
support, help in time of crisis and links with specialist sources of help. Although, as a
distance learner, it may be difficult for you to come and visit in person, you are
welcome to telephone or email the Chaplaincy in confidence. There is more about
the Chaplaincy on their web site at: www.chaplaincy.ed.ac.uk/chaplaincy/care.html.
The Chaplain is Rev Dr Harriet Harris, email Chaplain@ed.ac.uk or telephone: +44
(0)131 650 2596. The Chaplaincy Office number is +44 (0)131 650 2595.
RepresentationandFeedback

Student feedback and evaluation is a valued input to curriculum and programme
review and development at the University of Edinburgh. Formally, you are asked to
complete evaluation forms (end-of-semester and end-of-year online, anonymous
surveys) and if possible to attend (or select representatives for) staff-student
meetings. You are also encouraged to complete the annual University questionnaire
for taught postgraduate students, details of which will be made available during
May/J une. Representatives are also welcome to participate in the Edinburgh
University Students Association.
- 29 -

Informal feedback is welcome at any time. It is important you
inform us of any issues in a timely manner: we can try to
implement change if we know about problems during the course
rather than the end!

Please contact the academic e-facilitator at any time during the
course with your feedback/views/suggestions (paula.smith@ed.ac.uk).
Matriculation

Matriculation is your formal act of registration with the University. It carries with it the
obligation to abide by the rules of the University, including the payment of fees and
other tuition costs, and gives students privilege of access to student services and
University facilities. Distance learning students matriculate by post and it is
important that matriculation documents are completed and returned as quickly
as possible to enable enrolment and progression to be managed smoothly.

If you intend to leave the programme after either the Certificate or Diploma
examination please let office know before the examination as this will help to process
your graduation paperwork with the minimum of delay.

You are required to matriculate every year. Queries about matriculation should be
directed to Registry on +44 (0)131 650 2845 or to registry@ed.ac.uk
QualityAssurance
The normal QA arrangements for Masters programmes at the University of
Edinburgh apply. Assessments, examinations, and the Board of Examiners will be
conducted as per University Regulations:
gulations.pdf

CourseEnrolment
Students are automatically enrolled on the three core courses which run in Year 1
and the six core courses in Year 2. In Year 3 students submit a Project Report for the
MSc.

Students may disenrol from a course provided it is at least three weeks before it is
due to start. If the student does not inform the University of their decision to disenrol
by then, or if they fail to engage with the course, they will be liable for the full course
fee, unless a medical Certificate or evidence of other acceptable extenuating
circumstances is provided in writing to the Postgraduate Office.

Once a student has started a course, it is not possible to withdraw without financial
penalty unless there are extenuating circumstances. If such a case is made and
upheld, the School can only recommend to Registry that the fee be waived.
Graduation
If you wish to exit the programme after Years 1 or 2 with a Certificate or Diploma
award and are not intending to continue to Year 3 you should inform the ESSQ Office
as soon as possible.
- 30 -

Year 3 students, graduating with the MSc, will receive a letter from the Postgraduate
Office inviting them to attend the graduation ceremony. All students must register
online and pay a compulsory fee in order to graduate from the University of
Edinburgh, whether attending a ceremony or not. Registration and payment must be
made no later than 21 days prior to the relevant ceremony. Those who do not
register before the 21 day deadline, but who are eligible to graduate will have their
award conferred in absentia and will be contacted after the Ceremonies with further
information.

University of Edinburgh ceremonies for the conferment of degrees are held twice a
year, in J une/J uly and December/J anuary. Additionally, awards of degrees in
absentia can be made at routine meetings of the Senatus Academicus in February,
May and October of each session.
Students must pay a compulsory fee of 40 for registration with The General Council.
Students cannot graduate if this payment is not made. Payment is made via the
online registration form (via the University's E-Pay facility) by debit/credit card. The
fee is not required if you are already a graduate of the University of Edinburgh
or you are graduating with a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) or Postgraduate
Diploma (PGDip). Students who owe money to the University (this may be for fees,
rent, fines, or any other charges) will not be permitted to proceed to graduation until
settlement has been made. Students with any debt still outstanding 21 days prior to
the day of the graduation ceremony will not be permitted to proceed to graduation.
Further information on Graduations can be found at, http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-
departments/registry/graduations
- 31 -
AppendixI,DegreeProgrammeTable
SCQFLevel11(10courses)
Code
Availability
Course Name Period Credits
SUSC11009 SV1
Academic Activity (Surgical
Sciences)
Semester 2 10
SUSC11001 SV1 Applied Surgical Anatomy Full Year 20
SUSC11003 SV1 Applied Surgical Pathology Full Year 20
SUSC11002 SV1 Applied Surgical Physiology Full Year 20
SUSC11010 SV1 Dissertation (Surgical Sciences) Full Year 60
SUSC11004 SV1 Preoperative Assessment Semester 1 10
SUSC11006 SV1
Principles of Postoperative and
Critical Care
Semester 1 10
SUSC11005 SV1 Principles of Surgical Management Semester 1 10
SUSC11008 SV1 Specialist Surgery Semester 2 10
SUSC11007 SV1 Surgical and Communication Skills Semester 2 10

- 32 -
Appendix II

Mark Grade Description for Discussion Board
Participation
(Certificate and Diploma)

Fail 0 Has not participated in academic discussion*

OR

Evidence of plagiarism

1 Has participated in discussion boards only occasionally AND/OR at a
superficial level

Pass 2 Has made significant and original contributions to discussion boards,
responding to issues raised by the e-tutor(s) and fellow students

3 Has made significant, original and sustained contributions to
discussion boards leading debate and facilitating interaction with
others, bringing original material to support arguments

*Non-participants are required to complete a peer-assessment
activity of the discussion board postings in order to pass and
proceed with the programme

Note: At the end of Semester 1, students should have achieved an
average mark of at least 1 in the discussion boards, OR have completed
peer-assessments for all zero-scoring boards, or they risk not being
allowed to progress to Semester 2.
- 33 -
Appendix III

Mark Grade Description for MCQ Participation
(Certificate and Diploma)

Fail
0% Has attempted less than 50% of the in-course
self-test MCQs.

50% Has attempted between 50 and 74% of the in-course
self-test MCQs.
Pass

100% Has attempted more than 75% of the in-course

self-test MCQs.

Note: At the end of Semester 1, students should have completed at least
50% of the available MCQs or they risk not being allowed to progress to
Semester 2.

- 34 -
Appendix IV

Mark Grade Description for mini-essay
(Diploma only)

0 Has not undertaken assigned essay
OR
Evidence of plagiarism.
Fail
1 Produced assigned essay but little attempt at integrating previous

content from discussion boards. Deficiencies and inaccuracies
present. No references.

2 Undertook assigned essay with some attempt at integrating previous
discussion. May be some lack of organisation and structure.
References inadequate.

3 Undertook assigned essay; topic reasonably researched with good
attempt at integrating previous discussion. No significant errors, but
may be some deficiencies in expression. Adequately referenced.
Pass

4 Undertook assigned essay; topic well researched with very good
attempt at integrating previous discussion and drawing on own
perspective. Contained at most only one or two very minor errors.
Referenced reasonably well.

5 Undertook assigned essay; topic very well researched with excellent
and fluent attempt at integrating previous discussion, drawing on own
perspective with supportive new material. No errors present. Well
referenced.
- 35 -
Appendix V

Mark Grade Description for Critical Review Task
(Diploma only)

0 Did not undertake review of prescribed manuscript / paper
OR
Fail
Evidence of plagiarism.

1 Produced a poorly worded and structured review of prescribed
manuscript / paper. Revealed inadequate knowledge and
understanding of the topic. Deficiencies and inaccuracies present. No
references.

2 Undertook limited review of prescribed manuscript / paper. Displayed
some factual knowledge but little critical insight into the topic. May be
some lack of organisation and structure. References inadequate.

3 Undertook satisfactory critical review of prescribed manuscript / paper.
Revealed sufficient knowledge and understanding of the topic, with
reasonable attempt at critical analysis. No significant errors, but may
be some deficiencies in expression. Adequately referenced.
Pass

4 Undertook good critical review of prescribed manuscript / paper
introducing new material or concepts. Displayed ample knowledge
and critical insight, with the ability to apply that knowledge in a
reasoned manner. Contained at most only one or two very minor
errors. Referenced reasonably well.

5 Undertook excellent critical review of prescribed manuscript / paper.
Displayed in-depth knowledge and thorough understanding of the
topic, with high degree of critical insight and analytical rigour.
Introduced new material or concepts into debate. No errors present.
Well referenced.

- 36 -

MSC in Surgical Sciences Programme Handbook

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The Edinburgh Surgical Sciences Qualification

Certificate, Diploma and MSc

Welcome to the ESSQ.....................................................................................1

The eeSURG Homepage

knowledge of physiology, anatomy, embryology and disease pathology that

professional and other generic aspects of surgical practice

Time required to achieve qualifications:

100% Has attempted more than 75% of the in-course

1 Produced assigned essay but little attempt at integrating previous

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