A6002 Master of Bioethics

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

Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Core studies (24 points)

You must complete:

• APG5393 Ethical theory (12 points) 
• APG5394 Ethics of life and death (12 points)

Part B.  Applied Studies (24 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 points)
• APG5051 Bioethics in action (12 points) 
• APG5044 Professional internship (12 points)
• APG5856 Research project (12 points)
• APG5969 Advanced simulation (12 points)

Part C. Elective studies (48 points)

• If you are admitted at entry level 1 you must complete 48 points from the elective lists below.
• If you are admitted at entry Level 2 you must complete 24 points from the elective lists below.
• If you are admitted at entry level 3 you must complete 12 points from the elective lists below.

Note 1: You may also complete 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 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 take a maximum of 12 credit points and Entry level 2 and 3 may take a maximum of 6 credit points from the Professional enhancement units.

Note 2: If you intend to undertake the research pathway you must complete APG5084

• APG5084 Designing research
• APG5129 Evaluation
• APG5136 Mindfulness for workplace wellbeing and productivity
• APG5140 Principles and practices for disaster management, humanitarian action and climate change adaptation
• APG5170 Social enterprise 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 points)
• MON5750 Monash Innovation Guarantee

Research pathway (24 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