SL32057: Biological ethics
[Page last updated: 15 May 2025]
| Academic Year: | 2025/26 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Life Sciences |
| Credits: | 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 100 |
| Level: | Honours (FHEQ level 6) |
| Period: |
- Semester 1
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| Assessment Summary: | CWES 50%, CWOG 50% |
| Assessment Detail: |
- Group seminar and discussion (CWOG 50%)
- Ethical scenario analysis (CWES 50%)
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| Supplementary Assessment: |
- Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
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| Requisites: |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
By the end of this unit, you will be able to:
- Identify key ethical perspectives and positions in the biosciences.
- Explain the distinction between legislation and ethics and why ethical approval is sought for research.
- Evaluate and critique a variety of biologically-related ethical issues: from large-scale to personal professional practice.
- Communicate complex ethical arguments for a biological issue in an academically rigorous and balanced manner.
- Work effectively in a group.
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| Synopsis: | "You willexplorethe major historical frameworks and principles ofethical thinking.
You will discuss and critically evaluate examples ofethical issues in the biosciences.
Working in groups, you willevaluate andthenpresentadiscussion onsome of the bioethical dilemmaschallenging modern societyandyourprofessional practice as abioscientist. "
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| Content: | The elements of ethics.
What are the differences between legislation and ethics.
What are the types of biosciences endeavours that require ethical consideration.
Critical thinking and argumentation.
Evaluating ethical arguments and scenarios using an ethical matrix.
Practical experience in: presenting via a group seminar and personal written reflection on an analysis of the ethics surrounding a biosciences research topic and workplace scenario.
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| Course availability: |
SL32057 is Optional on the following courses:
Department of Life Sciences
- USSL-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Biochemistry (Year 3)
- USSL-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Biochemistry with Professional Placement (Year 4)
- USSL-AFB11 : BSc(Hons) Biology (Year 3)
- USSL-AKB02 : BSc(Hons) Biology with Professional Placement (Year 4)
- USSL-AFB12 : BSc(Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Year 3)
- USSL-AKB03 : BSc(Hons) Biomedical Sciences with Professional Placement (Year 4)
- USSL-AFM10 : MBiochem(Hons) Biochemistry (Year 3)
- USSL-AKM01 : MBiochem(Hons) Biochemistry with Professional Placement (Year 4)
- USSL-AFM11 : MBiol(Hons) Biology (Year 3)
- USSL-AKM02 : MBiol(Hons) Biology with Professional Placement (Year 4)
- USSL-AFM12 : MBiomed(Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Year 3)
- USSL-AKM03 : MBioMed(Hons) Biomedical Sciences with Professional Placement (Year 4)
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Notes: - This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2025/26 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2026/27 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2025/26.
- 好色tv and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
- Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
- Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.
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