Study Bioethics at Otago

Why study Bioethics?

It is almost inevitable that bioethical issues will affect our lives. Sometimes we may be unaware that they do.

When deciding to have a child, should the potential parent(s) be able to choose which child they would like to bring into the world? Should they be required to choose the child that is likely to have the best life?

Research on animals is likely to have occurred to develop medical treatments and test their safety. Is it reasonable to use animals in this way? Is it wrong to use animals to test the safety of recreational drugs?

Many things we can choose to do are open to ethical evaluation. Bioethics is the examination of these choices to determine what follows from them, and what the right choice might be.

The ability to identify ethical issues and use reason to evaluate, discuss, and argue about them is a valuable skill. In personal and professional life this skill helps with thinking through choices and conduct. It is also useful for those seeking a future in healthcare and the life sciences to assist with playing an active and responsible role in increasing the benefits they can deliver.

Background required

Undergraduate bioethics papers do not require specific prior learning and papers can be included to enrich any degree at 200- and 300-level. Undergraduate bioethics papers are not prerequisites for postgraduate study in bioethics. However, undergraduate papers are helpful for postgraduate study.

Career opportunities

Bioethics students come from a range of backgrounds, including law, philosophy, medicine, the life or health sciences, religious studies, social sciences, and psychology. Given this breadth of experience, the transferability of many skills gained in bioethics is advantageous. It means that students may apply their skills to their original field of study and enrich it further or take it in new directions.

There are many jobs and careers to which bioethics graduates are particularly suited.

These include academic research in bioethics, teaching at all levels, and bioethics-related work in science, healthcare, and law. Bioethics graduates also work in areas such as health governance, healthcare, science and environmental policy development, health advocacy, regulation, and review of research, health, and environmental law.

The growing awareness that good practice in medicine and bioscience is informed by an understanding of its ethical implications means that studying bioethics adds significant value to any qualification. Bioethics graduates may use their knowledge of bioethics as a way to distinguish themselves among graduates in the sciences, medicine, and other disciplines.

Bioethics at Otago

Bioethics is available at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Students can take papers at 200- or 300-level to enhance their degree, or undertake postgraduate study.

Health Sciences professional students are taught medical ethics by staff at the Bioethics Centre, and further courses are available for these students.

The Bioethics Centre hosts a biennial bioethics conference, weekly seminars during the semester featuring local, national, and international speakers, and a student forum for postgraduate students.

Teaching style

The Bioethics Centre promotes a supportive and rigorous learning environment.

Papers at undergraduate level are taught via lectures and tutorials, using an interactive approach where engagement and debate is welcome. Web-based learning resources are also utilised for local and distance students. Further independent study is required.

At postgraduate level, teaching is delivered using web-based video conferencing. All papers are internally assessed.

Bioethics research at Otago

The wide range of research at the Bioethics Centre aims to examine the conventional and novel moral dilemmas arising from medical research, clinical settings, and advances brought about by life sciences and biotechnologies.

Members of staff undertake research in a wide range of fields including:

• Animal ethics
• Clinical bioethics
• Cross-cultural bioethics
• Environmental ethics
• Genetics and ethics
• Neuroethics
• Paediatric ethics
• Psychiatric / mental health ethics
• Reproductive ethics
• Sports medicine ethics

Commonly this research is multidisciplinary, so our staff frequently collaborate with those from other academic areas.

Postgraduate opportunities

There are many postgraduate degrees and diplomas offered, including a Certificate of Proficiency, Graduate and Postgraduate Diplomas, the Master of Health Sciences (endorsed in Bioethics), the Master of Bioethics and Health Law (MBHL), and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Bioethics.

Most masters’ students complete a dissertation or thesis, and coursework.

Postgraduate students come from a range of backgrounds and include health care professionals, law graduates, and those with policy roles.

Qualifications

Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages:

• Master of Bioethics and Health Law (MBHL)
• Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Bioethics and Health Law (PGDipBHL)
• Graduate Diploma in Bioethics and Health Law (GDipBHL)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science Endorsed in Clinical Ethics (PGCertHealSc)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Key information for future students

• Domestic students
• International students

Contact us

Bioethics Centre
Otago Medical School
Email bioethics@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/bioethics

This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.

Regulations on this page are taken from the 2022 Calendar and supplementary material.