Biomedical Ethics, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master´s Programme in Applied Ethics

Entry requirements

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the course, students should be able to
− demonstrate deeper knowledge in ethics by studying issues in biomedical ethics,
− account for concepts, theories and problems within the field of biomedical ethics,
− analyse problems in biomedical ethics,
− argue for a standpoint of their own regarding a few issues in biomedical ethics,
− demonstrate an open and critical attitude to positions and arguments in biomedical ethics.

Course content

Biomedical ethics is the study of ethical problems raised by biomedicine. Important areas are biomedical research ethics and clinical ethics. The course focuses on problems related to, e.g., assisted reproduction, genetic testing, clinical encounters, end-of-life situations, resource allocation in health care, and animal experimentation. Cases as well as theoretical arguments are discussed.

Teaching and working methods

In the course students read and analyse texts, participate in group work, write papers and are actively involved in seminar discussions. In addition, lectures and guest lectures are offered. Work with web resources and visits at workplaces outside the university may also be provided. Language of instruction: English.

Examination

The course is examined by oral presentations and writing a paper.
Students who have failed an examination are normally allowed to retake it on two additional occasions, one of which should be arranged shortly after the first examination.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

Department