Outline

Overview

This Unit of Study is dedicated to the science of life, and focuses on the history and philosophy of biology and medicine. Findings about phenomena such as the origins of life, evolution, and the relative contributions of DNA and various environmental factors to living processes have been debated not only by scientists but also the public. New accounts of the nature of disease and novel treatment strategies call for critical reflection on their implications. In this Unit of Study, we will take a closer look at a wide range of research concerned with life, disease, and death. We will focus in particular on the contributions historians and philosophers of science can make to discussions in the life sciences.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	History and Philosophy of Science Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	(HPSC2100 or HPSC2900) or (HPSC1001 or HPSC1901) or PHIL2XXX or (BIOL1006 or BIOL1906 or BIOL1996)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Peter Godfrey-Smith, peter.godfrey-smith@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Rebecca Mann, rebecca.c.mann@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Timothy Simich, timothy.simich@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Essay Essay	25%	Formal exam period Due date: 17 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 21 Nov 2025	2500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Interactive oral	Tutorial presentation Oral presentation of final essay plan, based on a one page written outline	25%	Multiple weeks	20 minutes approximately	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Participation Discussion in lectures and tutorials	20%	Ongoing	Variable	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Written Exercise Short written exercise	10%	Week 04 Due date: 29 Aug 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 31 Aug 2025	750 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Written Exercise Written Exercise	10%	Week 06 Due date: 12 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 14 Sep 2025	750 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Written Exercise Written Exercise	10%	Week 08 Due date: 26 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 28 Sep 2025	750 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Class presentation (25%)

Ongoing, throughout the semester, as scheduled for each student.

Students will be rostered to present once in tutorial for roughly 20 minutes on their plans for the final essay. This will be based on a one page written outline.

Participation in discussion (20%)

Ongoing, throughout the semester

Students are expected to contribute to discussion in tutorials and to attend lectures. Contribution to discussion in the lectures may also affect this part of the mark.

3 x 750 word exercises (10% each)

Written exercises done over three days in weeks 4, 6 and 8.

Essay (25%)

Essays are approximately 2500 words.

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.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.
Distinction	75 - 84	At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.
Credit	65 - 74	At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the unit material and can solve routine problems and/or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.
Pass	50 - 64	At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to Evolution	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	What is Life?	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Life and Mind	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Life and Mind	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	The "Gene's Eye View"	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Individuality in Biology, 1 (Rebecca Mann)	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Individuality in Biology, 2 (Rebecca Mann)	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Biological Individuals, Part 2	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Death (Rebecca Mann)	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Teleology (Rebecca Mann)	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
	The Gaia Hypothesis	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
	Social Behavior, 1	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Social Behavior. 2	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are required to attend all tutorials and engage in discussion. You are also expected to attend most lectures. If you have to miss a tutorial, talk to the tutor about how to make up marks.

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 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings will be posted 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. gain insight into contemporary biological/biomedical practice by examining basic topics such as life, evolution, ecology, genetics, and microbiology
LO2. understand core conceptual and theoretical issues and debates in a range of fields in biology/biomedicine
LO3. examine scientific texts and identify key philosophical and historical themes for further analysis
LO4. develop original arguments for and about biological/biomedical topics
LO5. develop the necessary reasoning and communication skills for analysing science in multiple contexts.

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.

Minor updates from 2024.

Additional information

All information about the course and how to complete it successfully is on the Canvas site.

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

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

On this page

Useful links

HPSC3002: Hist and Phil of the Biomedical Sciences

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

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

On this page

Useful links