Master of Bioethics

This course is particularly well suited for health care professionals and scientists who face complex ethical issues in their working lives. It is also valuable for those involved in the development of public policy and law, as well as for anyone who simply wishes to explore issues of public concern in greater depth. It is designed in ways to suit students with little or no prior educational background in ethics or philosophy, but the course is also suitable for philosophy graduates with an interest in further study of bioethics.

Teaching in the course is designed to improve your analytical skills, encourage you to think critically about the ethical issues raised, and to develop independent and well-informed views about the ethical and philosophical questions addressed in the course.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://monash.edu/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

1. articulate and apply knowledge of critical debates surrounding ethical issues in policy, governance and research at a global level
2. demonstrate a sound knowledge of best practice in applied ethics, healthcare ethics, research ethics, and related policy issues
3. apply a critical familiarity with many of the key texts and cultural products pertaining to the field of ethics
4. apply advanced analytical reading and communication skills, both written and verbal
5. demonstrate advanced analytical skills
6. demonstrate a thorough understanding of research methodology and ethics, and an ability to undertake a small, independent research project.

The course is structured in three parts: Part A. Foundations for advanced bioethics, Part B. Core master's study and Part C. Advanced expertise. All students complete Part B. Depending upon your prior qualifications, you may receive credit for Part A or Part C or a combination of the two.

Note that if you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit.

Part A. Foundations for advanced bioethics (24 points)

These studies will provide an orientation to the field of bioethics at advanced undergraduate or graduate level. They are intended for students whose previous qualification is not in a cognate field.

Part B. Core master's study (48 points)

These studies draw on best practices within the broad realm of bioethics practice and research. They provide a structured program of units in ethical theory, applied ethics, healthcare ethics, research ethics, and related policy issues.

Part C. Advanced expertise (24 points)

The focus of these studies is professional or scholarly work that can contribute to a portfolio of professional development. You have two options.

The first option is a program of coursework study where you select the units to suit your own interests.

The second choice is a 24 point research thesis. Students wishing to use this master's course as a pathway to a higher degree by research should take this second option.

Students admitted to the course, who have a recognised honours degree in a discipline cognate to bioethics, will receive credit for Part C, however, should they wish to complete a 24 point research project as part of the course they should consult with the course coordinator.

The course comprises 96 points structured into three parts: Part A. Foundations for advanced bioethics (24 points), Part B. Core master's study (48 points) and Part C. Advanced expertise (24 points).

Depending on prior qualifications you may receive entry level credit (a form of block credit) which determines your point of entry to the course:

• Students admitted at Entry level 1 complete 96 points, comprising Part A, Part B and Part C.
• Students admitted at Entry level 2 complete 72 points, comprising Part B and Part C.
• Students admitted at Entry level 3 complete 48 points, comprising Part B.

Note: Students eligible for credit for prior studies may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options.

All students must complete a minimum of 48 credit points at level 5 and a maximum of 24 points at level 2 or 3 for entry point 1. Unless otherwise stated, units with codes beginning with 2 or 3 are 6 points, and units with codes beginning with 5 are 12 points.

Part A. Foundations for advanced bioethics (24 points)

Students complete:

a. Two 6 point units (12 points) from the following, taken during the first full time equivalent year of study:

• ATS2490 Advanced professional writing
• ATS2637 The human body and the international marketplace
• ATS2875 The moral psychology of evil
• ATS3873 Philosophical issues in applied ethics
• MGF5991 Professional development - Career dynamics

b. One unit (12 points) from the electives listed in Part C.

Part B. Core master's study (48 points)

Students complete:

a. The following unit (12 points):

• APG5393 Ethics (12 points)

b. Two units (24 points) from the electives listed in Part C.

c. One capstone* unit (12 points) from the following list:

• APG5044 Professional internship
• APG5051 Special topics in bioethics
• APG5856 Research project**

* Students electing to take the research option in Part C(a) may consider that as their capstone and replace the capstone requirement with one of the electives in Part C. They should not complete both the research thesis and APG5856.

** Students admitted to the course at Entry level 3 who wish to complete the 24 point research thesis in Part C(a) should consult with the course coordinator.

Part C. Advanced expertise (24 points)

Students complete either a. or b. below:

a. The following unit/s:

• APG5848 Research thesis (24 points) or APG5849 Research thesis A (12 points) and APG5850 Research thesis B (12 points)*

* Students admitted to the course at Entry level 3 who wish to complete this 24 point research thesis should consult with the course coordinator.

b. Two units (24 points) from the following:

• APG5080 Bioethics and the body
• APG5081 Public health ethics
• APG5394 Questions of life and death
• APG5617 Human research ethics
• APG5729 Clinical ethics
• APG5730 Bioethics, public policy, and the law
• APG5732 Ethical issues in professional life
• any capstone unit not completed in Part B

Students can choose to complete a research thesis (24 points) that will provide a pathway to a higher degree by research. Students entering at entry level 3 will normally already have an honours degree, however, students in this group who wish to complete a research thesis in bioethics should discuss the options with the course coordinator.

Students may exit this course early and apply to graduate with one of the following awards, provided they have satisfied the requirements indicated for that award during their enrolment in this master's course:

• Graduate Certificate in Bioethics after successful completion of 24 credit points of study with a minimum of 18 credit points at level 4 or above
• Graduate Certificate in Research Ethics after successful completion of 24 credit points of study with a minimum of 18 credit points at level 4 or above
• Graduate Diploma in Bioethics after successful completion of 48 credit points of study with a minimum of 36 credit points at level 4 or above.