Biosciences Technology and Society
UndergraduateLTU-PHI30012024
Course information for 2024 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Biosciences Technology and Society
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Investigate the ways in which biological sciences embody social values and inform individual and societal decisions.
- Critically reflect on readings in the area to grapple with issues concerning concerning biology, society, and values.
- Analyse the social dimensions of biological theories, practices and technologies.
- Critique the ways that science both reflects and impacts the societies we live in.
- Implement active learning strategies to act as self directed learners.
- Science, Sex, and Gender
- Science and Race
- Eugenics
- Concepts of Disease, Mental Illness, Disability
- Ethics and Genetic Screening
- Ethics of Neuroenhancement
- Transhumanism
This subject focuses on ethical and philosophical issues that arise in the biological sciences, including the medical and health sciences, and the technologies they employ. Scientific disciplines, the biosciences are committed to objectivity and neutrality, but also interact with categories that are socially coded such as race, gender, and disability. Concepts such as health and disease can be understood as natural, biomedical concepts, but also as evaluative concepts that play social roles; and biological conceptions of intelligence, mental illness or disability can be even more contentious. Further, technological advances give us new ways to change human beings, some of which are seen as improvements or enhancements. In examining a series of topics, including race science, eugenics, intelligence, disease, disability, and bioenhancement, you will learn how to critically examine the role of social processes and values in the biosciences, and of the biosciences in society.
This is a level 3 subject. This subject includes live sessions with the expectation of student attendance and participation.
- Short responses (5 x 250 words, for a total of 1250 words). Students will submit 5 short responses to set weekly questions relating to that week's material. Students can choose to respond in any 5 of the 12 weeks of semester. (35%)
- Op ed (750 words). Students will write a short piece in the style of an 'op ed' or opinion piece examining an ethical or social issue related to the material from weeks 1-4. Students will have a choice of topics assigned by the instructor. (20%)
- Long essay (1750 words). Students will write a research essay on the material from weeks 5-12. At least three topics will be assigned by the instructor; each student will choose one of these to write on. (45%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
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- QS Ranking 2024:
- 17
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 18
Entry requirements
Others
Past La Trobe University students who have previously completed PHI2BTS (Biosciences Technology and Society) are ineligible to enrol in this subject.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateLAT-BUS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-ART-DEG
Bachelor of Information Technology
UndergraduateLAT-TEC-DEG
Bachelor of Psychological Science
UndergraduateLAT-PYS-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-CYS-DEG
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