CourseMaster's Degree (Coursework)MBioethics

A6002 Master of Bioethics

Faculty of Arts

Master of Bioethics (A6002) is a 2 years full-time, 96-credit-point, master's degree (coursework) course from the Faculty of Arts, taught at Clayton. Map your units semester by semester with the MonMap planner.

Credit points
96
Duration
2 years full time
4 years part time
Campus
Clayton
On campus, Online

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Requisite map

Overview

This graduate course provides a thorough theoretical and practical grounding in the ethical, social and policy aspects of healthcare and biomedical science. You will investigate moral issues in topics such as: life and death decision-making in the context of healthcare; new and emerging technologies for promoting collective and individual wellbeing; public health care measures for disease prevention and research.

This course is particularly well suited if you are a health care professional or scientist who faces complex ethical issues in your working life. The course is also valuable if you are involved in the development of health-related public policy and law, or simply wish to explore issues of public concern in greater depth. It is designed in ways to suit you with little or no prior educational background in ethics or philosophy and is also suitable if you are a philosophy graduate seeking to develop expertise in bioethics.

The course is designed to encourage you to think critically about and develop independent and well-informed views on the ethical, social and policy aspects of healthcare and biomedical science. The course enhances your capacity to undertake independent research and includes options for a pathway to doctoral studies.

Course structure

Part A. Core studies24 credit points
Part B. Applied studies24 credit points
You must complete 24 credit points from the following list.

Note 1: You must complete one of APG5730 or APG5051.
Note 2: If you are admitted at entry Level 3 you are only required to complete 12 credit points consisting of APG5730 or APG5051.
Part C. Elective studies48 credit points
You must complete:

- Entry Level 1: 48 credit points from the elective lists below.
- Entry Level 2: 24 credit points from the elective lists below.
- Entry Level 3: 12 credit points from the elective lists below.

Note 1: You may also select units not undertaken from Part B.
Note 2: If you intend to undertake the Research pathway you must complete APG5084 (listed under the Professional practice studies).
Research pathway (optional)24 credit points
You can complete a research pathway in your course if:

- you have achieved a minimum weighted average mark of 80% in the units of this course;
- you have the permission of the Course Director; and
- a suitable thesis supervisor is available.

If you are admitted into the course at entry Level 1 or 2, the following unit replacements will apply:

- APG5084 Designing research as offered in Part C.
- APG5849 Research thesis A replaces 6 credit points from Part C.
- APG5850 Research thesis B replaces 12 credit points from Part B.
If you are admitted into the course at entry Level 3, the replacement units will be determined based on previous study in consultation with the Course Director.

Note 1. APG5084 Designing research is a co-requisite for enrolment in APG5849 Research thesis A and must be completed in the same semester.
Note 2. Undertaking a research pathway does not guarantee entry into a graduate research degree (e.g. Masters by Research, PhD).

You must complete 24 credit points from the following list.
The handbook's description of this structure

The course is structured in three parts: Part A. Core studies, Part B. Applied studies and Part C. Elective studies.

A research pathway is also available subject to meeting eligibility requirements.

Part A. Core studies 

These studies will immerse you in bioethics study at a graduate level. You will gain a solid foundation in the field to underpin Applied and Elective studies.

Part B. Applied studies

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

Part C. Elective studies

Select from a range of options designed to enhance specific knowledge and skills in Bioethics and related fields.

Master's entry 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:

  • If you are admitted at entry level 1, you complete 96 credit points, comprising Part A, Part. B and Part. C
  • If you are admitted at entry level 2, you complete 72 credit points, comprising Part A, Part. B and Part. C (24 credit points)
  • If you are admitted at entry level 3, you complete 48 credit points, comprising Part A, Part. B (12 credit points) and Part. C (12 credit points).

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

Course progression map

The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

The course comprises 96 credit points structured into three parts: Part A. Core Studies (24 credit points), Part B. Applied Studies (24 credit points) and Part C. Elective studies (48 credit points)

Units are 6 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Core studies (24 credit points)

You must complete the following units.

  • APG5393 Ethical theory (12 credit points) 

  • APG5394 Ethics of life and death (12 credit points)

Part B.  Applied Studies (24 credit points)

You must complete 24 credit points from the following list.

Note 1: You must complete one of APG5730 or APG5051.

Note 2: If you are admitted at entry level 3 you are only required to complete 12 credit points consisting of APG5730 or APG5051.

  • APG5730 Bioethics, public policy, and the law (12 credit points)

  • APG5051 Bioethics in action (12 credit points) 

  • APG5044 Professional skills for internship (12 credit points)

  • APG5856 Research project (12 credit points)

  • APG5969 Advanced simulation (12 credit points)

Part C. Elective studies (48 credit points)

-Entry level 1: you must complete 48 credit points from the elective lists below.
-Entry level 2: you must complete 24 credit points from the elective lists below.
-Entry level 3: you must complete 12 credit points from the elective lists below.

Note 1: You may also select units not undertaken from Part B.

Note 2: If you intend to undertake the Research pathway you must complete APG5084 (listed under the Professional practice studies).

Discipline electives

  • APG5079 Research ethics 

  • APG5729 Clinical ethics 

  • APG5081 Public health ethics 

  • APG5110 Ethical issues in human genomics 

  • APG5486 Ethics of human reproduction

Arts enrichment electives

A maximum of 12 credit points can be completed from the Arts enrichment electives. 

  • APG5136 Mindfulness for workplace wellbeing and productivity

  • APG5170 Social entrepreneurship challenge in the Indo-Pacific

  • APG5470 Managing multicultural teams

  • APG5471 Leadership in intercultural environments

Complementary electives

  • APG5103 Policy analysis 

  • APG5164 Global health

  • APG5367 Campaigns, advocacy and change

  • APG5381 Effective crisis communications

  • MPH5269 Foundations of health policy 

  • MPH5272 Principles of health systems

Professional practice electives

Note 1: Entry level 1 may complete a maximum of 12 credit points.
Note 2: Entry level 2 and 3 may complete a maximum of 6 credit points.
Note 3: If you intend to undertake the Research pathway you must complete APG5084.

  • APG5084 Designing research

  • APG5129 Evaluation

  • APG5136 Mindfulness for workplace wellbeing and productivity

  • APG5170 Social entrepreneurship challenge in the Indo-Pacific

  • APG5393 Ethical theory

  • APG5457 Digital cultures and platforms

  • APG5470 Managing multicultural teams

  • APG5471 Leadership in intercultural environments

  • APG5652 Language and intercultural communication

  • APG5805 Project planning and management in international development

  • APG5966 Academic and professional presentation skills

  • APG5967 Professional enhancement A

  • APG5968 Professional enhancement B (12 credit points)

  • MON5750 Monash Innovation Guarantee

Research pathway (24 credit points) - optional

You can complete a research pathway in your course if:

  • you have achieved a minimum weighted average mark of 80% in the units of this course;

  • you have the permission of the Course Director; and

  • a suitable thesis supervisor is available.

If you are admitted into the course at entry level 1 or 2, the following unit replacements will apply:

  • APG5084 Designing research as offered in Part C.

  • APG5849 Research thesis A replaces 6 credit points from Part C.

  • APG5850 Research thesis B replaces 12 credit points from Part B.

If you are admitted into the course at entry level 3, the replacement units will be determined based on previous study in consultation with the Course Director.

Note 1. APG5084 Designing research is a co-requisite for enrolment in APG5849 Research thesis A and must be completed in the same semester.
Note 2. Undertaking a research pathway does not guarantee entry into a graduate research degree (e.g. Masters by Research, PhD).

You must complete 24 credit points from the following list:

  • APG5084 Designing research

  • APG5849 Research thesis A

  • APG5850 Research thesis B 

Learning outcomes

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework and Monash Graduate Attributes.

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

  1. 1

    critically engage with global debates on ethical issues in healthcare practice, policy, technology, governance and research;

  2. 2

    articulate and apply an understanding of best practice standards in contemporary health research, practice and policy from the point of view of bioethical analysis;

  3. 3

    analyse and critically evaluate the key texts, policies and laws pertaining to the field of bioethics to undertake independent research and formulate independent views about complex bioethical issues;

  4. 4

    skilfully and appropriately communicate bioethical insights to a variety of potential audiences in written, verbal and other media formats.

Entry requirements

English language

Monash Level A, that is: IELTS (Academic): 6.5 overall (no band lower than 6.0); or Pearson Test of English (Academic): score of 58 overall with no band lower than 50; or TOEFL Internet-based test: score of 79 overall with minimum scores: Writing: 21, Listening: 12, Reading: 13 and Speaking: 18; or Equivalent approved English test

Pathways

Master's accelerated pathway

 

More information

Progression to further studies

Successful completion of this course may provide a pathway to a graduate research degree if you complete the research pathway.

Notes for students

You can enrich your degree by honing your academic and professional skills through the Monash Innovation Guarantee (MIG). The MIG is your unique opportunity to collaborate with renowned industry leaders and design innovative solutions that result in real social change. MIG will give you the leadership skills you will need to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world and is your chance to make connections before you graduate. The MIG is a 6 credit point unit option. Please refer to the course requirements to see how MIG may fit into your degree. For information on eligibility please see FREE.

 

Other information

This graduate course provides a thorough theoretical and practical grounding in the ethical, social and policy aspects of healthcare and biomedical science. You will investigate moral issues in topics such as: life and death decision-making in the context of healthcare; new and emerging technologies for promoting collective and individual wellbeing; public health care measures for disease prevention and research.

This course is particularly well suited if you are a health care professional or scientist who faces complex ethical issues in your working life. The course is also valuable if you are involved in the development of health-related public policy and law, or simply wish to explore issues of public concern in greater depth. It is designed in ways to suit those with little or no prior educational background in ethics or philosophy and is also suitable if you are a philosophy graduate seeking to develop expertise in bioethics.

The course is designed to encourage you to think critically about and develop independent and well-informed views on the ethical, social and policy aspects of healthcare and biomedical science. The course enhances your capacity to undertake independent research and includes options for a pathway to doctoral studies.

Contacts

Academic Coordinator
Professor Justin Oakley

Common questions

How long is Master of Bioethics?

2 years full time, 96 credit points. At 24 credit points a semester, that is 4 semesters of full-time study.

Where can I study Master of Bioethics?

At Clayton.

How do I plan my Master of Bioethics units?

Open the course in the MonMap planner. It lays out your semesters, checks prerequisites as you drag units in, and tracks the credit points each requirement still needs.

Course details

Qualification
Master's Degree (Coursework)
AQF level
Level 9
Credit points
96
Full time
2 Years
Part time
4 Years
Maximum time
6 years
Faculty
Faculty of Arts
CRICOS code
082652G
Abbreviation
MBioethics
Award title
Master of Bioethics