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Thesis Requirements

Thesis information and requirements for Cardiothoracic SET Trainees.

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Thesis Proposal

Your Thesis must make an original contribution to knowledge in your chosen area and it must indicate how your research may add to current knowledge or fill in gaps in knowledge where they might exist. It is expected that you discuss your thoughts on the Thesis with your current Surgical Supervisor as they must endorse your proposal prior to submitting it to the Board. The proposal will then be reviewed by the BOCTS and the suitability of the topic confirmed. If it is felt the Thesis is not appropriate in its current form,  comments will be given and it can be resubmitted for approval following further discussion with your supervisor of training.

All Thesis proposals should be formally submitted via the proposal for Thesis form (DOCX 36.63KB) to BoardofCardiothoracic.Surgery@surgeons.org . Once the proposal is approved by the Board’s Research committee, you may then commence your research and submit it within four years of commencing training.

Thesis Requirements & Submission

  • An original dissertation of 5,000-10,000 words, including references, created over a two year period (usually during SET 3 and SET 4)
  • The thesis must be on a Cardiothoracic Surgery topic
  • The thesis must be submitted within four years of commencing SET training
  • If the Thesis is not submitted within this period, the Trainee will not progress to the next SET level.
  • If the Trainee is on interruption during this period, the period of interruption will not be counted.
  • The thesis should be able to be published
  • A pass is mandatory
  • A pass with commendation is recommended
  • A case report or work written by other people would not be acceptable
  • Consequence of failure would be for the Trainee to re-write the thesis providing the concept was acceptable
  • The Trainee would not be eligible to present for the Fellowship examination until the thesis is completed to pass level
  • Trainees should not require time out from their clinical work to write this thesis
  • The thesis will be marked by a sub-committee, including at least one Board member, as well as members of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Science and Education sub-committee.
  • Trainees who have successfully completed a higher degree (PhD or Masters) are exempt from the thesis requirement. Trainees must supply their thesis title and acknowledgment of receipt from the University as proof of completion.