Minor-only subject
Please note: this subject can only be taken as a minor.
A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.
Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.
You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Graduate Diploma in Bioethics and Health Law (GDipBHL)
The University of Otago's Graduate Diploma in Bioethics and Health Law (GDipBHL) is a one-year qualification for graduat...
Postgraduate Study in Bioethics
Explore postgraduate study in Bioethics at Otago. Gain advanced knowledge, skills, and research opportunities in a suppo...
If doctors understand bioethics they’re likely to be able to help their patients better.
Adam Faatoese
I learnt how to approach new and often complicated situations using a framework of jurisprudence and ethics.
Greg Lewis
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Uniquely Otago
Learn more about programmes, qualifications, or outstanding facilities that you won't find elsewhere in Aotearoa
Navigate challenging issues with insight and humanity
Pair Bioethics with subjects like Medicine, Law, or Genetics to deepen your understanding of human values in science and society. Study how moral reasoning shapes healthcare decisions, research design, and public policy. This minor strengthens your ability to navigate ethical issues, think from multiple viewpoints, and communicate clearly about what matters most. Whatever your main degree, Bioethics helps you bring insight, balance, and humanity to your work.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.
Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.
You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | One of: | 18 |
| 200-level | BITC 201 Bioethics and the Life Sciences | 18 |
| 300-level | BITC 301 Bioethics: Healthcare Issues and Global Perspectives A student may substitute one of the required papers above 100-level with a paper at the same level as the substituted paper or above from the following list: ANTH 322, ANTH 323, CLAS 340, CHTH 323, HIST 229, INDS 301, MFCO 222, PHIL 338. | 18 |
Total | 90 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
BITC papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BITC101 | 2026, 2027 | Bioethics in Aotearoa | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| BITC201 | 2026, 2027 | Bioethics and the Life Sciences | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| BITC202 | 2026, 2027 | Animal Ethics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| BITC210 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| BITC301 | 2026, 2027 | Bioethics: Healthcare Issues and Global Perspectives | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| BITC401 | 2026, 2027 | Theories of Biomedical Ethics | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| BITC403 | 2026, 2027 | Issues in Law, Ethics and Medicine | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| BITC404 | 2026, 2027 | Ethics and Health Care | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| BITC405 | 2026, 2027 | Bioethics in Clinical Practice | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| BITC406 | 2026, 2027 | Health Research Ethics | 15 points | Semester 2 |
| BITC407 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Health Research Ethics | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| BITC412 | 2027 | Special Topic | 15 points | Not offered in 2027 |
| BITC790 | 2026, 2027 | MHealSc Dissertation | 60 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year, 1st Non standard period (1 January 2026 - 18 December 2026), 2nd Non standard period (20 February 2026 - 5 February 2027), 1st Non standard period (26 February 2027 - 18 February |
| BITC890 | 2026, 2027 | MBHL Dissertation | 60 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year, 1st Non standard period (23 February 2026 - 19 February 2027), 2nd Non standard period (9 July 2026 - 25 June 2027), 1st Non standard period (26 February 2027 - 18 February 2028), 2nd Non |
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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