Surgery

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2 Week Electives  4 Week Electives  Elective Pre-req (4 weeks)  Off-Campus Electives  Research

2 Week Introductory Electives

  • SURG 5120 – Introduction to Acute Care Surgery 

  • SURG 5121 – Introduction to Minimally Invasive Surgery 

  • SURG 5122 – Introduction to Surgical Oncology 

  • SURG 5123 – Introduction to Transplant Surgery 

  • SURG 5124 – Introduction to Vascular Surgery 

  • SURG 5125 – Introduction to Cardiothoracic Surgery 

  • SURG 5150 – Introduction to Urology

  • SURG 5154 – Introduction to Otolaryngology 

  • SURG 5175 – Introduction to Orthopedic Surgery 

  • SURG 5201 – Introduction to Neurosurgery 

  • SURG 5301 – Introduction to Pediatric Surgery 

  • SURG 5376 – Introduction to Plastic Surgery 

Category: Clinical 
Eligible: Clerkship Only 
Length: 2 weeks
Course Type: In-Person

Two-week introductory courses are available for clerkship-level students, based on Enrichment Year calendar blocks. Rotations must align with the first two-weeks (A) or the second two-weeks (B) of a rotation block. Students may complete introductory electives without having completed their Surgery and/or OBGYN clerkship. 

For courses on the Augusta Campus, students should submit the Qualtrics Add/Drop Form.  

Students interested in electives at Regional Campus sites should reach out to the Regional Campus Coordinator and copy the Augusta Coordinator to make arrangements before submitting the Qualtrics Add/Drop Form.  

Introductory electives familiarize students with common pathologies, develop patient-centered communication, history-taking and physical exam skills while integrating basic sciences and clinical medicine, teach students how to evaluate history and physical findings to form a problem list and differential diagnosis, and introduce students to core professional, ethical and legal concepts related to patient care related to the specific specialty. 

4wk Electives

SURG 5014 – Rural Trauma Outreach

Category: Non-Clinical 
Eligible: All  
Length: 4 weeks
Course Type: Hybrid

Students will learn about simulation-based training best practices, participate in local institutional trauma simulation activities, and participate in a rural outreach trauma simulation program. Students will travel with faculty to rural hospitals and EMS agencies, teach supervised trauma procedures, develop simulations, and contribute to statewide trauma education research.

Students will participate in hands-on course delivery, gain experience in resource-limited trauma care, and complete a scholarly output relevant to rural trauma education, quality improvement, or simulation methodology.

SURG 5015 – History of Medicine

Category: Non-Clinical 
Eligible: All  
Length: 4 weeks
Course Type: In-Person

Students should submit the Qualtrics Add/Drop Form.  

This self-directed course is based on the Augusta Campus. Students will meet with the course instructor to discuss a medical topic of interest which will then be researched and presented in the form of a research paper. Students will also read one of three suggested books, write a one-page review and ten questions/answers about the chosen book. USE OF AI IS PROHIBITED IN THIS COURSE. 

  • SURG 5003 – Elective, General Surgery (Regional Campus) 

  • SURG 5020 – Externship, Acute Care Surgery 

  • SURG 5021 – Externship, Minimally Invasive Surgery 

  • SURG 5022 – Externship, Surgical Oncology 

  • SURG 5023 – Externship, Transplant Surgery 

  • SURG 5024 – Externship, Vascular Surgery

  • SURG 5200 – Externship, Neurosurgery

  • SURG 5254 – Externship, Otolaryngology 

  • SURG 5275 – Externship, Orthopedic Surgery 

  • SURG 5300 – Externship, Pediatric Surgery 

  • SURG 5325 – Externship, Cardiothoracic Surgery 

  • SURG 5350 – Externship, Urology 

  • SURG 5375 – Externship, Plastic Surgery 

Category: Clinical 
Eligible: Clerkship + (completion of Surgery or OBGYN clerkship)
Length: 4 weeks 
Course Type: In-Person

 

For courses on the Augusta Campus, students should submit the Qualtrics Add/Drop Form.  

Students interested in electives at Regional Campus sites should reach out to the Regional Campus Coordinator and copy the Augusta Coordinator to make arrangements before submitting the Qualtrics Add/Drop Form.  

Students will participate in all areas of patient care including outpatient clinics, inpatient wards and surgical procedures. Upon completion, students will have increased knowledge and skills related to the specific service they are rotating on. 

 
 

Electives with Pre-Requisites

SURG 5025 – Externship, Robotic Surgery 

Category: Clinical 
Eligible: Enrichment; preference to students pursuing general surgery residency 
Length: 4 weeks
Course Type: In-Person

 

This course is currently only offered on the Augusta Campus. Students should submit the Qualtrics Add/Drop Form. 

This course will equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to perform robotic surgeries on day on of their general surgery residency. 

SURG 5380 – Surgery Skills & Residency Prep 

Category: Clinical 
Eligible: Enrichment; applying to general surgery residency 
Length: 4 weeks 
Course Type: In-Person

 

All students should submit the Qualtrics Add/Drop Form. 

Students will complete in person and/or online didactic sessions, surgical skills and simulation practice labs as well as hands-on labs in cadaver suturing, airway management, bowel and vascular anastomosis, wound care, central and arterial line placement and chest tube placement. Students participate in and attend surgical endoscopic/laparoscopic cases and have opportunities to take call. 

SURG 5500 – Integrated Anatomy, General Surgery 

Category: Clinical 
Eligible: Enrichment; applying to general surgery residency 
Length: 4 weeks
Course Type: In-Person

Designed for students who have declared general surgery or another surgical field as their specialty, the course focuses on strengthening surgically-relevant anatomy understanding through region-based clinical cases, hands-on cadaveric dissection, procedural simulations and real-time operating experience. Students will revisit key anatomical concepts and apply their knowledge in both practical and observational settings. This integrated approach allows students to connect foundational basic science with clinical knowledge, reinforcing the relevance and application of anatomy in surgical practice. 

SURG 5501 – Integrated Anatomy, Orthopedic Surgery 

Category: Clinical 
Eligible: Enrichment; applying to orthopedic surgery residency 
Length: 4 weeks 
Course Type: In-Person

Designed for post-clerkship students applying to an orthopedic surgery residency.  The course aims to strengthen and expand upon existing knowledge of musculoskeletal anatomy through an immersive, clinically oriented experience that integrates cadaveric dissection focused on regions relevant to orthopedic surgery, clinical observation, procedural practice and teaching opportunities.  

SURG 6599 - Surgery Student Chief Elective 

Category: Non-Clinical 
Eligible: Enrichment 
Length: 4 weeks
Course Type: In-Person

The elective is designed to allow M4 students an opportunity to practice leadership skills by serving as a peer role model to M3 students on the surgery clerkship rotation.  

 

Off-campus Electives

  • SURG 5004 – Off Campus, General Surgery (all other services not listed below) 

  • SURG 5202 – Off Campus, Neurosurgery 

  • SURG 5252 – Off Campus, Otolaryngology 

  • SURG 5278 – Off Campus, Orthopedic Surgery 

  • SURG 5326 – Off Campus, Cardiothoracic Surgery 

  • SURG 5351 – Off Campus, Urology

Category: Clinical 
Eligible: Enrichment
Length: 4 weeks
Course Type: In-Person

All Away Rotation requests are managed by the Augusta Campus Coordinator. When applicable, Regional Campus Coordinators will be copied on submitted Add Forms. 

Off Campus electives allow students to complete audition rotations at other medical schools / institutions. Up to 12 weeks of off campus electives apply toward graduation credit. 

Research Electives

  • SURG 5002 – Research, Surgery (all other services not listed below) 

  • SURG 5203 – Research, Neurosurgery 

  • SURG 5255 – Research, Otolaryngology 

  • SURG 5292 – Research, Orthopedic Surgery 

  • SURG 5352 – Research, Urology 

Category: Non-Clinical 
Eligible: All 
Length: 4 weeks
Course Type: Hybrid

Students interested in research on the Augusta Campus should pre-arrange a research project prior to submitting an Add Form.  Students may reach out to surgery services directly to inquire about research opportunities. 

Students interested in research at Regional Campus sites should reach out to the Campus Coordinator and copy the Augusta Student Coordinator before contacting preceptors regarding research opportunities. 

Students enrolling in research electives must complete a Surgery Research Proposal Form prior to enrollment and a Surgery Research Summary Form upon completion of the course. These forms will be sent to students via One45.  

Research electives help students gain increased knowledge and skill in the field of surgical research by completing an in-depth study on a surgical topic of interest that is mutually agreed upon by the student and faculty preceptor. 

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