
Back to Elective Bulletin Page
Category: Non-Clinical
Eligible: All
Length: 4 weeks
Course Description: This course helps students gain increased knowledge and skill in the field of surgical research by completing an in-depth study on a surgical topic of interest and preparing a thesis/report on the chosen topic. Students are supervised by a faculty member familiar with the topic.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship +
Length: 2 or 4 weeks
Course Description: Clinical experience with individual private preceptor, in their office, operating room, and hospital. Individual arrangements must be made through both the chairperson of surgery and the clinical surgeon involved.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship +
Length: 2 or 4 weeks
This course requires application using VSLO or other arrangements made by the student. Off-Campus Elective-Form and supporting documents required.
Course Description: This course is designed for students to participate in a rotation in General Surgery at another medical school or institution.
Category: Non-Clinical
Eligible: All
Length: 2 weeks
Course Description: This is a self-directed course based on the Augusta Campus. Students will meet with the course director prior to the elective to discuss a topic of interest which will then be researched and presented in the form of a research paper. Meetings can be arranged in person, online via TEAMS or via phone. Course activity will otherwise be independent study and may be done off campus. In addition, students will review a general medical history text and submit a written summary and questions based on the text.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship +
Length: 2 or 4 weeks
4 weeks - Clerkship Plus (M3 or M4); 2 weeks - Introductory Electives (M3 only). After July 1, 2025 this course will only be offered as a 4 week course. The 2 week Introductory course will be SURG 5120.
Course Description:
In this course, students will participate in all areas of patient care including outpatient clinics, inpatient wards and surgical procedures. Upon completion, students should have increased knowledge and skills in the field of General Surgery and the care of surgical patients.
Elective is not repeatable; credit is given for the rotation taken first, 2wks or 4wks, but not both.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship +
Length: 2 or 4 weeks
4 weeks - Clerkship Plus (M3 or M4); 2 weeks - Introductory Electives (M3 only). After July 1, 2025 this course will only be offered as a 4 week course. The 2 week Introductory course will be SURG 5121.
Course Description:
In this course, students will participate in all areas of patient care including outpatient clinics, inpatient wards and surgical procedures. Upon completion, students should have increased knowledge and skills in the field of General Surgery and the care of surgical patients.
Elective is not repeatable; credit is given for the rotation taken first, 2wks or 4wks, but not both.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship +
Length: 2 or 4 weeks
4 weeks - Clerkship Plus (M3 or M4); 2 weeks - Introductory Electives (M3 only). After July 1, 2025 this course will only be offered as a 4 week course. The 2 week Introductory course will be SURG 5122.
Course Description:
In this course, students will participate in all areas of patient care including outpatient clinics, inpatient wards and surgical procedures. Upon completion, students should have increased knowledge and skills in the field of General Surgery and the care of surgical patients.
Elective is not repeatable; credit is given for the rotation taken first, 2wks or 4wks, but not both.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship +
Length: 2 or 4 weeks
4 weeks - Clerkship Plus (M3 or M4); 2 weeks - Introductory Electives (M3 only). After July 1, 2025 this course will only be offered as a 4 week course. The 2 week Introductory course will be SURG 5120.
Course Description:
In this course, students will participate in all areas of patient care including outpatient clinics, inpatient wards and surgical procedures. Upon completion, students should have increased knowledge and skills in the field of General Surgery and the care of surgical patients.
Elective is not repeatable; credit is given for the rotation taken first, 2wks or 4wks, but not both.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship +
Length: 2 or 4 weeks
4 weeks - Clerkship Plus (M3 or M4); 2 weeks - Introductory Electives (M3 only). After July 1, 2025 this course will only be offered as a 4 week course. The 2 week Introductory course will be SURG 5124.
Course Description:
In this course, students will participate in all areas of patient care including outpatient clinics, inpatient wards and surgical procedures. Upon completion, students should have increased knowledge and skills in the field of General Surgery and the care of surgical patients.
Elective is not repeatable; credit is given for the rotation taken first, 2wks or 4wks, but not both.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Enrichment Only
Length: 4 weeks
Applying to General Surgery
Course Description: After completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skill to perform robotic surgeries on day one of their general surgery residency.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship+
Length: 2 weeks
Available beginnning in July 2026.
Course Description: This course will familiarize students with common Acute Care Surgery pathologies as well as develop patient-centered communication, history-taking and physical exam skills while integrating basic sciences and clinical medicine. Students will learn to evaluate history and physical findings to form a problem list and differential diagnosis. Students will be introduced to core professional, ethical and legal concepts related to patient care.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship+
Length: 2 weeks
Available beginnning in July 2026.
Course Description: This course will familiarize students with common MIS pathologies as well as develop patient-centered communication, history-taking and physical exam skills while integrating basic sciences and clinical medicine. Students will learn to evaluate history and physical findings to form a problem list and differential diagnosis. Students will be introduced to core professional, ethical and legal concepts related to patient care.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship+
Length: 2 weeks
Available beginnning in July 2026.
Course Description: This course will familiarize students with common Surgical Oncology pathologies as well as develop patient-centered communication, history-taking and physical exam skills while integrating basic sciences and clinical medicine. Students will learn to evaluate history and physical findings to form a problem list and differential diagnosis. Students will be introduced to core professional, ethical and legal concepts related to patient care.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship+
Length: 2 weeks
Available beginnning in July 2026.
Course Description: This course will familiarize students with common Transplant pathologies as well as develop patient-centered communication, history-taking and physical exam skills while integrating basic sciences and clinical medicine. Students will learn to evaluate history and physical findings to form a problem list and differential diagnosis. Students will be introduced to core professional, ethical and legal concepts related to patient care.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship+
Length: 2 weeks
Available beginnning in July 2026.
Course Description: This course will familiarize students with common Vascular Surgery pathologies as well as develop patient-centered communication, history-taking and physical exam skills while integrating basic sciences and clinical medicine. Students will learn to evaluate history and physical findings to form a problem list and differential diagnosis. Students will be introduced to core professional, ethical and legal concepts related to patient care.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship+
Length: 2 weeks
Available beginnning in July 2026.
Course Description: This course will familiarize students with common Cardiothoracic pathologies as well as develop patient-centered communication, history-taking and physical exam skills while integrating basic sciences and clinical medicine. Students will learn to evaluate history and physical findings to form a problem list and differential diagnosis. Students will be introduced to core professional, ethical and legal concepts related to patient care.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship+
Length: 2 weeks
Available beginnning in July 2026.
Course Description: This course will familiarize students with common Urology pathologies as well as develop patient-centered communication, history-taking and physical exam skills while integrating basic sciences and clinical medicine. Students will learn to evaluate history and physical findings to form a problem list and differential diagnosis. Students will be introduced to core professional, ethical and legal concepts related to patient care.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship+
Length: 2 weeks
Available beginnning in July 2026.
Course Description: This course will familiarize students with common ENT pathologies as well as develop patient-centered communication, history-taking and physical exam skills while integrating basic sciences and clinical medicine. Students will learn to evaluate history and physical findings to form a problem list and differential diagnosis. Students will be introduced to core professional, ethical and legal concepts related to patient care.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship+
Length: 2 weeks
Available beginnning in July 2026.
Course Description: This course will familiarize students with common Orthopedic pathologies as well as develop patient-centered communication, history-taking and physical exam skills while integrating basic sciences and clinical medicine. Students will learn to evaluate history and physical findings to form a problem list and differential diagnosis. Students will be introduced to core professional, ethical and legal concepts related to patient care.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship +
Length: 4 weeks
Course Description: This course combines direct patient care responsibilities of a junior house officer with practice in performing neurological examinations. Under the supervision of Neurosurgery faculty and/or house staff, the student will have primary daily care responsibility for multiple patients. He/she will also participate in patient evaluations in the clinic as well as daily teaching conferences.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship +
Length: 2 weeks
Available beginnning in July 2026
Course Description: This course will familiarize students with common Neurosurgery pathologies as well as develop patient-centered communication, history-taking and physical exam skills while integrating basic sciences and clinical medicine. Students will learn to evaluate history and physical findings to form a problem list and differential diagnosis. Students will be introduced to core professional, ethical and legal concepts related to patient care.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Enrichment Only
Length: 2 or 4 weeks
This course requires application using VSAS or other arrangements made by the student. Off-Campus add form required.
Course Description: This course is designed for students to participate in a Neurosurgery rotation at another medical school or institution.
Category: Non-Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship +
Length: 4 weeks
Students must arrange a research project prior to enrollment and complete the Surgery Research Proposal Form sent via One45 by the Student Clerkship Coordinator and must complete the Surgery Research Summary Form prior to release of grades.
Course Description: This course combines direct patient care responsibilities of a junior house office with practice in performing neurological examinations and participating in neurosurgical therapy. Students will simultaneously participate in a limited neurosurgical clinical research project. Projects may be initiated/suggested by the student or students may elect to participate in an ongoing faculty research project.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Enrichment Only
Length: 2 or 4 weeks
Course Description: Pediatric neurosurgery focuses on the management of developing nervous system. This elective will encompass inpatient and outpatient care of these children. The student will participate in daily ward rounds, diagnostic and treatment planning, surgery and outpatient evaluation under the supervision of neurosurgery houses officers and faculty. The emphasis of the clerkship will be on the unique nature of children’s neurosurgical problems, as well as on the management of these problems, both through surgery and the interactions with other medical and surgical pediatric specialist such as neonatology, neurology, oncology and intensive care. Participation as above in all activities of the neurosurgical service.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Enrichment Only
Length: 2 or 4 weeks
This course requires application using VSAS or other arrangements made by the student. Off-Campus add form required.
Course Description: This course is designed for students to participate in an Otolaryngology rotation at another medical school or institution.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship +
Length: 2 or 4 weeks
4 weeks - Clerkship Plus (M3 or M4); 2 weeks - Introductory Electives (M3 only). After July 1, 2025 this course will only be offered as a 4 week course. The 2 week Introductory course will be SURG 5154.
Course Description: This course will familiarize students with diseases of the ears, nose and throat and will emphasize diagnostic techniques to include physical examination, radiologic testing, audiometrics and endoscopic procedures. Students are introduced to the principles of head and neck surgery, facial plastic surgery, endoscopy and neurotology. They will participate and observe the specialty of Otolaryngology by participating in the care of clinic and hospital patients.
This elective is not repeatable; credit is given for the rotation taken first, 2wks or 4wks, but not both.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: All
Length: 4 weeks
Available beginnning in July 2026.
Course Description: Upon completion of this course, students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to conduct impactful research in the field of Otolaryngology. They will learn to formulate research questions, design studies, analyze data and communicate findings through scientific writing and presentation.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship +
Length: 2 or 4 weeks
4 weeks - Clerkship Plus (M3 or M4); 2 weeks - Introductory Electives (M3 only). After July 1, 2025 this course will only be offered as a 4 week course. The 2 week Introductory course will be SURG 5175.
Course Description:
Students will fully participate in all inpatient and outpatient activities of their assigned service in order to gain increased knowledge and skills in the care of orthopedic patients and the field of Orthopedic Surgery.
This elective is not repeatable; credit is given for the rotation taken first, 2wks or 4wks, but not both.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Enrichment Only
Length: 2 or 4 weeks
This course requires application using VSAS or other arrangements made by the student. Off-Campus add form required.
Course Description: This course is designed for students to participate in an Orthopedic Surgery rotation at another medical school or institution.
Category: Non-Clinical
Eligible: All
Length: 4 weeks
Students must arrange a research project prior to enrollment and complete the Surgery Research Proposal Form sent via One45 by the Student Clerkship Coordinator and must complete the Surgery Research Summary Form prior to release of grades.
Course Description: Students work with a faculty supervisor on a project of mutual interest in order to give the student increased knowledge, skills and appreciation for the field of Orthopedics research.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship +
Length: 4 weeks
Available beginnning in July 2026.
Course Description: This elective introduces students to the fundamentals involved in the clinical care of pediatric surgical patients. Students will participate in all activities of the Pediatric Surgical Service, including outpatient clinics, inpatient wards and surgical procedures.
Send ALL surgery course inquires/requests/forms to the Clerkship Coordinator and, Regional Coordinator, if applicable. Add/Drop Forms should not be sent to specialty departments.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Enrichment Only
Length: 2 weeks
Available beginnning in July 2026.
Course Description: This course will familiarize students with common Pediatric Surgery pathologies as well as develop patient-centered communication, history-taking and physical exam skills while integrating basic sciences and clinical medicine. Students will learn to evaluate history and physical findings to form a problem list and differential diagnosis. Students will be introduced to core professional, ethical and legal concepts related to patient care.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship +
Length: 2 or 4 weeks
4 weeks - Clerkship Plus (M3 or M4); 2 weeks - Introductory Electives (M3 only). After July 1, 2025 this course will only be offered as a 4 week course. The 2 week Introductory course will be SURG 5125.
Course Description:
This elective offers experience in pathophysiology and treatment of cardiothoracic disease. Students will participate in evaluating consultations regarding patients with potential cardiothoracic surgical problems. Students may also have the opportunity to participate in treating critically ill patients in the surgical intensive care unit.
This elective is not repeatable; credit is given for the rotation taken first, 2wks or 4wks, but not both.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Enrichment Only
Length: 2 or 4 weeks
This course requires application using VSAS or other arrangements made by the student. Off-Campus add form required.
Course Description: This elective is designed to provide additional experience in pathophysiology and treatment of cardiothoracic disease by allowing students to work with cardiothoracic surgeons at another medical school or institution.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship +
Length: 2 or 4 weeks
4 weeks - Clerkship Plus (M3 or M4); 2 weeks - Introductory Electives (M3 only). After July 1, 2025 this course will only be offered as a 4 week course. The 2 week Introductory course will be SURG 5150.
Course Description: This course teaches the evaluation and treatment of urologic patients. In addition to clinic and inpatient activities, students will assist with operative procedures, learn proper technique for urethral dilatations, urethral catheterizations and prostatic evaluations, as well as participate in informal department conferences. Daily activities will include rounding, reviewing urologic x-rays, and care of assigned patients.
This elective is not repeatable; credit is given for the rotation taken first, 2wks or 4wks, but not both.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship +
Length: 2 or 4 weeks
This course requires application using VSAS or other arrangements made by the student. Off-Campus add form required.
Course Description: This course is designed for students to participate in a Urology rotation at another medical school or institution.
Category: Non-Clinical
Eligible: All
Length: 4 weeks
This course requires application using VSAS or other arrangements made by the student. Off-Campus add form required.
Course Description: Students work with a faculty supervisor on a project of mutual interest in order to give the student increased knowledge, skills and appreciation for the field of urologic research.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Clerkship +
Length: 4 weeks
Course Description: Students will participate in all activities of the Plastic Surgery Service in order to gain increased knowledge and skills in the field of plastic surgery. Activities include exposure to wounds, healing problems, repair of nerves, tendons, vessels, and bones as well as clinical problems such as tumors of the head and neck, injuries to the face and extremities, thermal burns, and congenital abnormalities.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Enrichment Only
Length: 2 weeks
Available beginnning in July 2026.
Course Description: This course will familiarize students with common Plastic Surgery pathologies as well as develop patient-centered communication, history-taking and physical exam skills while integrating basic sciences and clinical medicine. Students will learn to evaluate history and physical findings to form a problem list and differential diagnosis. Students will be introduced to core professional, ethical and legal concepts related to patient care.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Enrichment Only
Length: 2 or 4 weeks
Course Description: Students will indentify pediatric urology problems, evaluate and treat patients, and learn surgical procedures.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Enrichment Only
Length: 4 weeks
Applying to General Surgery.
Course Description: Students will complete in person and/or online didactic sessions. Students will participate in 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 and Chest Tube placement. Students participate in and attend surgical conferences and tumor board presentations and have opportunities to attend OR cases, including endoscopic/laparoscopic cases, as well as opportunities to take call.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Enrichment Only
Length: 4 weeks
Available beginnning in July 2026. May be taken as an elective or used to fulfill the Integrative Sciecne Requirement (Cannot be counted as both).
Course Description: This 4-week course is designed for students who have declared general surgery or another surgical field as their specialty. This course focuses on strengthening surgically-relevant anatomy understanding through region-based clinical cases, hands-on cadaveric dissection, procedural simulations, and real-time operating room experiences. Students will revist key anatomical concepts and apply their knowledge in both practical and observational settings. This integrated approach allows students to connect foundational basi science with clinical knowledge, reinforcing the relevance and application of anatomy in surgical practice.
Category: Clinical
Eligible: Enrichment Only
Length: 4 weeks
Available beginnning in July 2026. May be taken as an elective or used to fulfill the Integrative Sciecne Requirement (Cannot be counted as both).
Course Description: This 4-week elective course is designed for post-clerkship medical students planning to pursue residency in orthopaedic surgery. 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 in orthopaedic surgery, clinical observation, procedural practice, and teaching opportunities.
Category: Non-Clinical
Eligible: Enrichment Only
Length: 4 weeks
Course Description: This elective is designed to allow M4 students an opportunity to practice their
leadership skills as they serve as a peer role model to M3 students on the Surgery
rotation. Student must receive approval from Site CD.
