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Ethics and Responsibility in Science (SCIE90005)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
What is conflict of interest? What should a scientist do when he or she finds fraud is occurring on a scientific research team? How does a scientist write and defend an animal ethics submission and get it approved? What are the ethical issues associated with peer review? This subject is intended to give students a broad overview of research ethics in a scientific context. It will include topics on scientific integrity; conflicts of interest; data recording management; authorship and peer review; animal experimentation and regulations; privacy and confidentiality of records; and, finally, research in humans.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon completion of this subject students should:
- be aware of the different ethical responsibilities of individuals in scientific workplace;
- understand the ethical issues associated with data recording and storage and
- reporting of research findings: develop first-hand experience in critical thinking and appraisal related to ethics
Generic skills
The subject will provide students with the opportunity to develop their own sense of intellectual integrity and ethics of scholarship.
They should build upon generic skills including:
- the ability to critically assess and assimilate new knowledge through a range of information and communication technologies;
- high level ability to engage in collaborative learning and confront unfamiliar problems in an academic environment.
They will learn how to apply these skills and be able to use them effectively in their professions and workplaces.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Two workshop assignments due between weeks 2 (500 words; 5%) and 7 (1000-1500 words; 10%)
| From Week 2 to Week 7 | 15% |
An authorship essay paired with a student peer review task due between week 8 & 10
| From Week 8 to Week 10 | 20% |
An essay (50%) with an oral presentation on an ethics topic (5%)
| End of semester | 55% |
Attendance at, and participation in, all classes: including lectures, workshops (including preparation and submission of task-sheets) and all student oral presentations | 10% | |
Hurdle requirement: Attendance at a minimum of 6/8 lectures and 5/6 workshops is a hurdle requirement, and any absence (such as illness etc.) must be supported with a valid reason, in line with University policy - proof will be required | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinators Lauren Salo and Berin Boughton Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 26 hours comprising 8 x one-hour lectures, 6 x three-hour workshops. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
No specific text will be prescribed for this subject but recommended reading material will be prescribed for each topic covered in the subject.
Recommended texts and other resources
Relevant reading material will be recommended for background reading in each topic area.
- Subject notes
Students will be expected to regularly access an internet-enabled computer.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022