Ethics and Responsibility in Science (SCIE90005)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2025
About this subject
Overview
| Fees | Look up fees |
|---|
What is conflict of interest? What should a scientist do when they find 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 workplaces;
- 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: 4 March 2025
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| 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 weeks 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 | Throughout the semester | 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: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
Not available in 2025
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
- 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
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
Last updated: 4 March 2025