Bioethics Minor
Overview
The interdisciplinary minor in bioethics encompasses work in the fields of biology, natural science, philosophy, sociology and theology. It enables students to study topics in which the life sciences and ethics converge, such as: biological and chemical weapons, human stem cell research, global warming, human and animal experimentation, pollution, genetic screening and gene therapy, and human population growth.
The bioethics minor helps to prepare students for a range of future careers, or for advanced study in the health professions, the sciences, teaching, law, journalism, ministry, research, government or social work. For many students, the study of bioethics not only deepens their understanding of science and its impact on our lives, but also strengthens their ability to think broadly and critically, and to better see the vital integration of science and technology with individuals and the world around us.
Curriculum
Requirements
The minor in bioethics requires at least seven courses completed with a grade of "C" or better. The science requirement is satisfied by taking either four courses in Biology or three courses in the Natural Sciences. The Ethics requirement is satisfied by 1) completing the foundational course (PHIL 284 Health Care Ethics); 2) taking two elective courses (one at the 300-level); and 3) one interdisciplinary capstone course (BIET 395A, BIET 395B, BIET 395C, BIET 395E, BIET 396A, BIET 396B, BIET 396C, or BIET 396E). See below for more detailed information about which specific courses satisfy these requirements.
Please note that one of the three ethics courses must be taken at the 300-level. This is in addition to the required capstone course (BIET 395A,B,C, or E or BIET 396A,B,C, or E).
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Science Requirement | ||
| Students choose choose either Biology or Natural Sciences courses to fulfill the Science requirement. | 8-9 | |
| Biology (BIOL) Courses | ||
| All four (4) courses are required | ||
| General Biology I | ||
| General Biology I Lab | ||
| General Biology II | ||
| General Biology II Lab | ||
| Natural Sciences Courses | ||
| Choose three (3) of the following: | ||
| Human Origins | ||
| Biological Background Human Social Behavior | ||
| The Human Ecological Footprint | ||
| Human Biocultural Diversity | ||
| Sex, Science and Anthropological Inquiry | ||
| Evolution of Human Disease | ||
| People and Conservation | ||
| Gender, Health & Environment | ||
| Plants and Civilization | ||
| Biodiversity & Biogeography | ||
| Soil Ecology | ||
| Climate & Climate Change | ||
| Science & Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems | ||
| Energy and The Environment | ||
| Chemistry of the Natural Environment | ||
| Principles of Ecology | ||
| Environmental Sustainability | ||
| Environmental Health | ||
| Introduction to Global Health | ||
| Principles of Ecotoxicology | ||
| Ethics Requirement | ||
| Foundations Course | ||
| PHIL 284 | Health Care Ethics (Also counts as Tier 2 core, Philosophical Knowledge) | 3 |
| Choose two (2) additional Ethics courses from the list below, one of which must be 300-level: | 6 | |
| Philosophy | ||
| Environmental Ethics (Also counts as Tier 2 core, Philosophical Knowledge) | ||
| Topics in Ethics (Topic must be related to Bioethics) | ||
| Neuroethics | ||
| Philosophy of Medicine | ||
| Contemporary Issues (Topic must be related to Bioethics) | ||
| Capstone Seminar in Contemporary Philosophy (Topic must be related to Bioethics) | ||
| Theology | ||
| Topics in Moral Problems (Topic must be related to Bioethics) | ||
| Religious Ethics and the Ecological Crisis | ||
| Perspectives on Life and Death | ||
| Contemporary Christian Sexuality | ||
| Theology and Ecology | ||
| Seminar (Topic must be related to Bioethics) | ||
| History | ||
| Plagues: The Black Death and Other Pandemics | ||
| Health Systems Management | ||
| Healthcare in America | ||
| Introduction to Global Healthcare Delivery | ||
| Continuum of Healthcare Services | ||
| Fundamentals of Health Equity | ||
| Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Human Sexuality | ||
| Gender & Sex Differences & Similarities | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
| Sociology | ||
| Science, Technology, & Society | ||
| Sociology of Health Care | ||
| Sociology of Science (Topic must be related to Bioethics) | ||
| Environmental Sociology | ||
| Global Health | ||
| Interdisciplinary Capstone Course 1 | ||
| BIET 395A | Bioethics Minor Capstone: Philosophical & Anthropological Topics | 3 |
| or BIET 395B | Bioethics Minor Capstone: Philosophical & Biological Topics | |
| or BIET 395C | Bioethics Minor Capstone: Philosophical and Chemical Topics | |
| or BIET 395E | Bioethics Minor Capstone: Philosophical & Environmental Science Topics | |
| or BIET 396A | Bioethics Minor Capstone: Theological & Anthropological Topics | |
| or BIET 396B | Bioethics Minor Capstone: Theological and Biological Topics | |
| or BIET 396C | Bioethics Minor Capstone: Theological and Chemical Topics | |
| or BIET 396E | Bioethics Minor Capstone: Theological & Environmental Science Topics | |
| Total Hours | 20-21 | |
- 1
Prerequisites: Must have completed two of the science requirements and two of the ethics requirements.
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
Biology Track (For Biology, Biochemistry, & Neuroscience Majors)
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| BIOL 101 | General Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 102 | General Biology II | 3 |
| BIOL 112 | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHIL 284 | Health Care Ethics | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Ethics Elective (any level) | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Ethics 300-level Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Spring | ||
| BIET 395A |
Bioethics Minor Capstone: Philosophical & Anthropological Topics or Bioethics Minor Capstone: Philosophical & Biological Topics or Bioethics Minor Capstone: Philosophical and Chemical Topics or Bioethics Minor Capstone: Philosophical & Environmental Science Topics or Bioethics Minor Capstone: Theological & Anthropological Topics or Bioethics Minor Capstone: Theological and Biological Topics or Bioethics Minor Capstone: Theological and Chemical Topics or Bioethics Minor Capstone: Theological & Environmental Science Topics |
3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 20 | |
Life Sciences Track
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| Life Science Course #1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Life Science Course #2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHIL 284 | Health Care Ethics | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Ethics Elective (any level) | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Life Science Course #3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Ethics 300-level Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Spring | ||
| BIET 395A |
Bioethics Minor Capstone: Philosophical & Anthropological Topics or Bioethics Minor Capstone: Philosophical & Biological Topics or Bioethics Minor Capstone: Philosophical and Chemical Topics or Bioethics Minor Capstone: Philosophical & Environmental Science Topics or Bioethics Minor Capstone: Theological & Anthropological Topics or Bioethics Minor Capstone: Theological and Biological Topics or Bioethics Minor Capstone: Theological and Chemical Topics or Bioethics Minor Capstone: Theological & Environmental Science Topics |
3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
Double-Dipping Policy
- Students may not major and minor in the same discipline.
- Majors: Not less than 21 credit hours in the individual student’s transcript must be unique to each major; that is, the courses in question are considered as actually fulfilling requirements of one major, not of more than one major.
- Minors and interdisciplinary minors: not less than 8 credit hours in the individual student’s transcript must be unique to each minor; that is, the courses in question are considered as actually fulfilling requirements of one minor, not of more than one minor or major.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Understand relevant scientific concepts, techniques, and methods as they relate to bioethical topics.
- Recognize bioethical issues.
- Apply ethical reasoning and ethical judgment (concepts, theories, methods) to discuss bioethical issues.
- Integrate science and ethics such that students can take a bioethical topic or issue and connect the scientific with the ethical issues.