Outline

Overview

Ethics are integral to scientific research. By participating in this unit, you will learn how to identify, analyse and avoid key ethical pitfalls in human and animal research. You’ll examine case studies drawn from the contemporary and historical record, in which you analyse the social and ethical issues that arise in the development of scientific knowledge. You’ll learn how to comply with relevant policy and procedural codes of conduct for scientific research that involves humans and animals. Overall, you’ll gain a deep appreciation of the ethical dimensions of scientific research so that you carry out your own research in the most optimal way.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	History and Philosophy of Science Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	144 credit points of units of study and including a minimum of 24 credit points at the 3000- or 4000-level and 18 credit points of 3000- or 4000-level units from Science Table A or FMH Table A
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	HSBH3004 or HPSC3107
Assumed knowledge ?	Successful completion of a Science major
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Kate Lynch, kate.lynch@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 22 August 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Out-of-class quiz	Weekly online questions weekly questions about concepts and case studies. covering weeks 1-5, at 6% per week	30%	Multiple weeks	half-page max	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Participation tutorial participation. Marks calculated for weeks 1-5.	10%	Multiple weeks	As part of 2 hour tutorial each week	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Interactive oral	structured academic debate -individual mark structured academic debate (preparation and participation) - individual mark	20%	Week 06 Due date: 08 Sep 2025 at 13:00 Closing date: 09 Sep 2025	5 mins per individual	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Interactive oral	Structured Academic debate - group mark Structured academic debate (preparation and participation) - group mark	15%	Week 06 Due date: 08 Sep 2025 at 13:00 Closing date: 09 Sep 2025	20mins (per group)	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Visual Presentation Visual Presentation	25%	Week 06	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Structured Academic Debate: At the end of week 2, you will be randomly assigned to a group with a topic about an ethical problem in science. Teams will have to argue for or against a given proposition. Students will need to research and prepare arguments ahead of time and allocate different roles to group members. On the day of the debate, students will present their prepared argument and come up with responses and counterarguments to the opposing team. Students will receive and individual mark, and a group mark. Each team is required to submit a summary of roles and tasks completed by each team member on the day of the debate. Marks may be individually moderated after peer feedback. Students must be present on the day of the debate. Special consideration is required for students who cannot attend, who will be provided with an alternative assessment. This is a hurdle assessment.

Participation: You will be marked on your participation in tutorials. This mark should reflect your attentiveness, enthusiasm, respect and initiative in class. It will not reflect whether or not you got ideas 'right' or remember everything from the course material. The mark will reflect your interactions with your peers in the whole-class and in smaller group settings. This is not simply about having your own ideas heard, active listening and responding appropriately to ideas from your peers will form part of this mark. 10% will be comprised of 5 x 2% per week, for weeks 1-5. If you miss more than one class you will not receive marks for those missing classes. Alternative assessments will not be provided.

Weekly Online Tasks: Weekly questions for weeks 1-5 about the concepts and case studies covered in the seminar, tutorial, readings, and preparatory material for that week. 30% is comprised of 5 x 6% per week. These will be a combination of multiple choice and /or short answer questions. The format will change slightly depending on the week. Students are allowed one attempt and are given 60 minutes to complete the task.

Visual Task: Drawing upon concepts, theories and themes from the course, you will produce a visual display in the style of an academic poster illustrating an ethical issue in science. Some guidance on style and content will be provided in the week 1 seminar, and students are asked to bring in their drafts in the week 6 tutorial to workshop their posters with their peers before final submission.

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 High-distinction 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 Distinction 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 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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

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	The history and philosophy of research ethics	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 01	The moral responsibilities of scientists	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Contemporary ethical issues in human research	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Informed consent, exploitation and care	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Contemporary issues in animal research	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Welfare, harm and animals as models	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Contemporary issues in environmental ethics	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Environmental values and decision making	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Research Integrity	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Bias and Fraud	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Emerging and future ethical issues in science	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 06	In class assessment - structured academic debates	Tutorial (2 hr)

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

Full reading list provided 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. identify, define, and delimit authentic problems and dilemmas to address them
LO2. apply ethical principles and sociological analysis to solve problems in an interdisciplinary context
LO3. create an investigation strategy, explore solutions, discuss approaches, and formulate desirable outcomes
LO4. access information and analyse data using modern information technology and digital skills
LO5. demonstrate integrity, confidence, personal resilience, and the capacity to manage challenges, both individually and in teams
LO6. collaborate with diverse groups and across cultural and disciplinary boundaries to develop solution(s) to ethical dilemmas in science
LO7. communicate project outcomes effectively to a broad audience

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.

Revised assessment structure in response to student feedback on previous unit offerings.

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

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

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

SCIE4003: Ethics in Science

Semester 2a, 2025 [Block mode] - 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

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