376-1662-00L  Ethics and Scientific Integrity for Doctoral Students in Health Sciences and Technology

SemesterAutumn Semester 2023
LecturersE. Vayena, A. Blasimme
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish
CommentOnly for doctoral students D-HEST.


AbstractThis course allows D-HEST PhD students to fulfill the requirements of the mandatory training in ethics. The students will acquire the necessary theoretical and analytic resources to develop critical thinking skills in the field of applied ethics and will practice how to use such resources to address concrete ethical issues in health sciences.
Learning objectiveThe course aims at equipping students with the necessary knowledge and analytic skills to understand, discuss and address the ethical aspects of science and technology in relation to human health. The specific learning objectives of this course are:

- Identify ethical issues in in life sciences and biotechnology.
- Analyze and critically discuss ethical issues in life sciences and biotechnology.
- Become aware of relevant legal and public policy frameworks.
- Distinguish different ethical approaches and argumentative strategies in applied ethics.
- Recognize how ethical issues relate to different accounts of technology and innovation.
- Develop a personal and critical attitude towards the ethical aspects of life sciences and their technological application.
- Autonomously anticipate ethical issues.
- Propose and communicate solutions to ethical challenges and dilemmas.
ContentThis course allow the students to autonomously decide among a broad list of topics specifically designed to be aligned with the scientific interests of D-HEST doctoral programs.

The course has three components:
1) Students will watch pre-recorded material that will be made available on Moodle.
2) Students will attend an introductory lecture on the ethics of science, technology and innovation.
3) Students will choose two lectures to attend from a list of thematic lectures that will take place throughout the semester.
CompetenciesCompetencies
Subject-specific CompetenciesConcepts and Theoriesassessed
Method-specific CompetenciesAnalytical Competenciesassessed
Decision-makingassessed
Problem-solvingassessed
Social CompetenciesCommunicationassessed
Sensitivity to Diversityassessed
Personal CompetenciesAdaptability and Flexibilityassessed
Critical Thinkingassessed
Integrity and Work Ethicsassessed
Self-awareness and Self-reflection assessed