FOR4003 Ethics, medicine and the law
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
FOR4003 Ethics, medicine and the law is a level 4, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Southbank and University of the Philippines. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Southbank, University of the Philippines
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before FOR4003
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After FOR4003
No unit lists FOR4003 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Overview
The unit aims to help you become familiar with the tools and vocabulary of ethical discourse in medicine. A framework for this discourse is built, based on the four basic principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice. The elements which go to make up the Australian Legal System are covered as well as those particular areas of law relating to forensic medical practice, i.e. consent, confidentiality and disclosure, issues at both the beginning and end of life.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Southbank | Flx blk |
| First semester | University of the Philippines | Flx blk |
| Second semester | Southbank | Flx blk |
Assessment
- Critical reflections (2,400 words / 10 x 240 words)WrittenCompetency hurdle30%
- Oral presentation (20 minutes, plus discussion time)PresentationCompetency hurdle25%
- Essay (3,200 words)WrittenCompetency hurdle45%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Develop a high level awareness and understanding of the ideas and issues in medical ethics so that in practice the interests of their patients/clients are safeguarded.
- 2
Critically evaluate relevant areas of the law so that in practice their contribution to the justice system is optimal.
- 3
Appreciate the importance of both law and ethics in the treatment of patients/clients and the application of these principles to optimal pateint/client outcomes.
- 4
Acquire skills in the constructive approach to complex situations with competing ethical issues.
- 5
Critically evaluate your own practice through the lens of medical ethics and law.
- 6
Discuss and critically interpret issues related to justice in forensic medicine from the perspectives of law, rights and ethics.
Workload and teaching
- Teaching approachActive learning
It is expected that you will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the semester. This will include contact time, private study, assessment tasks (case studies, assignments) and, where possible, involvement in casework. You are required to attend all workshops offered at the Department of Forensic Medicine during the semester.
For full details of the teaching approach to this unit, please refer to Moodle.
Learning resources
Required resources
See Moodle for details about required resources.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Liz Bishop
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Richard Bassed
- Associate Professor Lyndal Bugeja
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for FOR4003?
FOR4003 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is FOR4003 offered?
In 2026, FOR4003 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Southbank and University of the Philippines.
Does FOR4003 have an exam?
No. FOR4003 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.