OLET5618: Intensive September - October, 2021

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Units OLET5618 Intensive September - October 2021 [Block mode]

Unit outline_

OLET5618: History of Human Research Ethics

Intensive September - October, 2021 [Block mode] - Remote

Overview

During the twentieth century, significant and influential debates about the ethical requirements for conducting scientific research have been conducted, specifically in medicine, biology, and physics. After the horrors of Nazi medical experimentation and the lethal potential of nuclear weapons became known, scientists started to discuss the social responsibilities they had and the principles that should govern research. In this OLE, we trace the history of these debates and the way they shaped current ideas about research ethics. Special attention will be paid to the protections that should be given to vulnerable populations, and to individuals and populations in developing nations. In this unit you will reflect on the ethical responsibilities of scientists and other researchers and how the current principles of of research ethics are influenced by this history and, in turn, what it means to be an ethical researcher.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	History and Philosophy of Science Academic Operations
Credit points	2
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Students should have a basic understanding about current methods for conducting scientific and medical research, the ethical challenges that could potentially affect investigators while they are conducting their research, presenting their research publicly, or advising government bodies or private business about the outcomes of their research.
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Gemma Smart, gemma.smart@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Tutorial quiz	Quiz 1 MCQ Linked to Module 1, 0cp content.	10%	Week 01	20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quiz 2 Short Answer and MCQ Linked to Module 1, 0cp content	15%	Week 02	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Short answer SAQ – linked to Module 2.	10%	Week 03	250 words
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Short answer SAQ – linked to Module 3	10%	Week 04	250 words
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Final Test SAQ Linked to Module 4	20%	Week 06	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Blog post Summative blog post linked to Module 4	25%	Week 07	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Participation 2x zoom workshops 4x module discussion boards	10%	Weekly	4 x 150 words
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Students’ progress in the unit will be assessed in 5 ways:

Module 1 will have two quizzes on human medical experimentation. The grading of these quizzes will be automated.
Module 2 will have an online exam requiring short answers on various issues related to science and ethics.
Module 3 will ask students to present a longer argument on one of cases provided
Module 4 requires students to write a blog post presenting their conclusions about a specific case fo their own choice.
Participation is assessed through participation in the 2 x 2hr workshops, and participation in the online discussion forum, which will be ongoing throughout the session.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Module 2 Part I	Individual study (7 hr)
Week 02	Module 2 Part II	Individual study (7 hr)
Week 02	Workshop 1	Online class (2 hr)
Week 03	Module 3 Part I	Individual study (7 hr)
Week 04	Module 3 Part II	Individual study (7 hr)
Week 05	Workshop 2	Online class (2 hr)
Week 05	Module 4	Individual study (7 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

2x Workshops held via zoom in Week 2 and Week 5

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 2 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 40-50 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. develop a critical understanding of the historical development of research ethics and its ramifications for medical and biological experimentation
LO2. apply insights from debates on the social responsibilities of scientists to specific research projects
LO3. analyse the ethical dilemmas that are present in specific research projects
LO4. evaluate a case study which is characterised by one or more ethical dilemmas

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Changes to include required and recommended readings updated on Canvas. More signposting about due dates on Canvas.

Additional information

Science student portal

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

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