BMS3022 : Bioethics
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Mx Jan Deckers
- Lecturer: Dr Alison Howard, Dr Thomas Chadwick, Dr Christina Elliott
- Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The Bioethics module aims to introduce and discuss a wide range of ethical dilemmas related to biomedical science, including issues raised by consent, confidentiality, genetics, the use of animals in research, stem cell and human embryo research, and the pharmaceutical industry. It aims to prepare students in the Biomedical Sciences for effective and efficient decision-making when they are confronted with thorny issues in their professional lives by developing their skills in ethical reasoning and critical appraisal.
Outline Of Syllabus
The following topics and themes will be covered:
• Advanced methods of ethical reasoning
• Informed consent, confidentiality, disclosure of information, and the use of human tissues and organs in biomedical science
• Ethical issues related to human embryo research
• Ethics and human genetics
• Biomedical science and the creation and use of genetically modified nonhuman organisms
• The nature and functions of research ethics committees
• Resolving personal bioethical dilemmas
• The purpose of biomedical science in a rapidly changing world
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 7 | 1:00 | 7:00 | In person |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 85 | 1:00 | 85:00 | Writing up lecture notes, revision & general reading. Includes 10 mins in person for the presentation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | In person seminars |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will be organised to expose the students to ethical theories, as well as professional and legal guidance.
Four small group teaching sessions will be organised to promote the discussion of ideas, to allow students to present ideas in class, and to evaluate the module. In the final seminar, each group is limited to a maximum of 12 students to ensure there is sufficient time for all students to present.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 70 | Maximum 1500 words |
| Case study | 1 | M | 30 | 10 minute presentation - In person |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The essay aims to assess the students’ skills to identify, analyse, and resolve ethical dilemmas, particularly by assessing their ability to support ideas with arguments found in the relevant literature.
The case studies aim to assess students’ abilities to present their ethical dilemmas and to present their solutions to the ethical dilemmas presented by others.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BMS3022's Timetable