Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Course

Over the past two decades, there has been increasing community concern about ethics in science, especially in the health sciences and the biological sciences. This course is a response to that concern and will enable those taking it to deepen their understanding of ethical issues in healthcare and the biological sciences. While the course is particularly well-suited to those health care professionals and scientists who face complex ethical issues in their working lives, it will also be valuable for those involved in the development of public policy and law regarding these issues, as well as for anyone who simply wishes to explore issues of public concern in greater depth.

Students completing this course will have:

• an understanding of diverse aspects of the academic discipline
• an understanding of the world view of the field of study
• a familiarity with the secondary literature in the field of study
• a familiarity with many of the key texts and cultural products pertaining to the field of study
• advanced reading and communication skills, both written and verbal
• developed sound analytical skills
• developed the ability to use relevant technology such as databases, information management systems and search engines effectively.

This course consists of one 12-point core unit and three 12-point elective units.

Core Unit

• CHB4101 Ethics

Elective units

Students complete three of the following;

• CHB4102 Questions of life and death
• CHB4203 Ethical issues in patient care
• CHB4204 Legal issues in bioethics
• CHB4300 Human research ethics

The Graduate Diploma in Bioethics does not meet the entry requirements for course 0122 Master of Bioethics by coursework, course 2704 Master of Bioethics by research, or course 0020 Doctor of Philosophy. Applicants who do not already meet the entry requirements for the Master of Bioethics by research or the PhD but who intend to proceed to either of those courses should apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Research).

After successful completion of 24 points, students may apply to exit the program with course 3761 Graduate Certificate in Bioethics.

Graduate Diploma of Bioethics