136-543 The Ethics of Science

Usually admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours, or a postgraduate coursework program.

This subject will study the ethics in science in both the laboratory, the applied field and in the politics and commercialisation of science and technology. It will explore the ethics of the conduct of scientific research and the application of scientific knowledge in society, through a series of case studies across the biomedical, environmental, biological and hard sciences. It will draw on moral philosophy and applied ethics, as well as the ethics of science in society, science and technology studies and the philosophy of science.

• have developed research skills;

• have developed critical thinking and analysis;

• be able to think in theoretical terms;

• be able to understand social, ethical and cultural contexts;

• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically;

• have developed written communication skills;

• have developed public speaking skills;

• have developed good time management and planning;

• be able to work as a team.

Four 500 word papers totalling 2000 words 40% (due during the semester) and an essay of 3000 words 60% due at the end of the semester).

A subject reader will be available form the University of Melbourne Bookshop.