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Masters
in Bioethics, (MBE) |
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The Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture (CBEC)
will offer a Masters in Bioethics (MBE) commencing in November, 2009.
This is a two year program consisting of four onsite teaching modules
with distance learning assignments in the intervening months. The last
six months of the program will be utilized for conducting research and
writing a thesis.
Candidates for MBE must possess qualifications and experience in a primary discipline such as healthcare services, social sciences and philosophy, etc., with the interest, capacity, and willingness to introduce and enhance ethics related education and research in their institutions. The primary objective of MBE is to provide professionals with necessary knowledge and skills to shape them into academic leaders in bioethics. The MBE is specifically structured to minimize disruption of the work schedule of full time professionals. Students are required to attend four intensive teaching modules, spread over 18 months in CBEC located in Karachi. Instruction in the intervening months will be provided through distance learning assignments via the internet. The first, a comprehensive Foundation Module will be held from November 2 to 13, 2009. The subsequent three teaching modules will each be of one week duration, and scheduled approximately four months apart. Teaching Modules: The Foundation Module will cover the historical background of moral thought extending from the Greeks to modern times. Students will be introduced to basics of philosophy, religious traditions, interactions between ethics and law, evolution of contemporary bioethics, and the connection of ethics with art and literature. The second module, scheduled for March 2010, will focus on the Ethics of Research and Public Health, followed by the third module related to Ethics of Biomedical Technology and Healthcare Services and Practice in August 2010. The fourth and last module will be held in February 2011 with a focus on Gender and Environmental Ethics. (Note: The exact dates of modules 2-4 will be finalized later.) Distance Learning Components: These will be distributed through the intervening months between the four teaching modules, and consist of work submitted by students via internet. Assignments will include review of selected books/chapters, critique of selected articles, and independent readings with submission of summaries. Students may also be asked to submit brief essays on selected pieces of art and literature, and will participate in ethics related “postings” and discussions on the internet moderated by CBEC faculty. Thesis: Submission of a thesis is a mandatory requirement for graduation. The thesis may be based on original research (qualitative or quantitative), or comprehensive review and analysis of a suitable topic, in consultation with the advisor. The outline of the thesis or review will be due in April 2011, and the completed thesis must be submitted no later than September 30, 2011. Student Evaluation: Students will be assessed on class attendance and participation, individual and/or team class presentations, quality of written work (in teaching modules and distance learning assignments), and originality and quality of the thesis. In order to obtain the MBE students must complete all components of the course work and assignments to the satisfaction of faculty, and write and submit the thesis in time. |