Applicants for the M.Sc. Experimental Medicine (Thesis), Bioethics Option program must hold an M.D.; a Nursing degree; a Physical and Occupational Therapy degree; and/or any other professional health training degree. Students who do not fit these criteria may be considered for admission on an individual basis. The objectives of this research-stream program are to allow students to conduct innovative research in relation to a bioethical issue pertinent to health care, and to acquire a working knowledge of bioethical issues from the current viewpoint of other relevant disciplines such as law, philosophy, and religious studies.
The curriculum is composed of required courses (6 credits) offered in the Department of Equity, Ethics and Policy, Bioethics courses (6-credit minimum) offered by the base faculty or department, and any graduate course required or accepted by a base faculty for the granting of a master鈥檚 degree, for a total of 21 credits. A minimum of 45 credits is required including the thesis. The research culminates in the preparation of a thesis.
| Required Courses |
BIOE 680. Bioethical Theory.
Credits: 3 Offered by: Population and Global Health (Graduate Studies) Terms offered: Fall 2025 View offerings for in Visual Schedule Builder.
Description
Overview of moral theoretical approaches to bioethics, as well as explorations of critical responses, meta-ethical foundations, methodological questions, and ethical issues arising in bioethics scholarship.
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BIOE 681. Bioethics Practicum.
Credits: 3 Offered by: Population and Global Health (Graduate Studies) Terms offered: Winter 2026 View offerings for in Visual Schedule Builder.
Description
Four hours per week supervised placement within health care settings (e.g., intensive care, family practice, clinical ethics committees). In addition, students shall be assigned for the last month of the term to a single intensive placement. Participation in rounds, case discussions, and a weekly seminar.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
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6 Credits |
| Required course work |
12 credits of courses at the 500-level or higher in the base program, chosen in consultation with research supervisor and GPD. |
12 Credits |
| Elective courses |
1 or more 3-credit course from the following:
Bioethics elective courses:
CMPL 642. Law and Health Care.
Credits: 3 Offered by: Comparative Law (Graduate Studies)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
The study of legal and ethical issues raised in medicine and healthcare with a particular focus upon the relationship between patient and healthcare professionals.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
PHIL 643. Seminar: Medical Ethics.
Credits: 3 Offered by: Philosophy (Graduate Studies) Terms offered: Winter 2026 View offerings for in Visual Schedule Builder.
Description
An advanced course devoted to a particular philosophical problem as it arises in the context of medical practice or the application of medical technology.
- Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 543.
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RELG 571. Ethics, Medicine and Religion.
Credits: 3 Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts) Terms offered: Winter 2026 View offerings for in Visual Schedule Builder.
Description
The seminar will discuss a variety of topics related to medicine and religion from the point of view of ethics, such as the pact of care between a patient and a physician, the Hippocratic oath, the notions of autonomy and vulnerability, the definitions of personhood and human dignity, the question of rights for people with cognitive disabilities, the debate about the role of religion in bioethics.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
PPHS 624. Public Health Ethics and Policy.
Credits: 3 Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Graduate Studies) Terms offered: Fall 2025 View offerings for in Visual Schedule Builder.
Description
Critical assessment of ethical dilemmas and policy considerations raised by the practice of public health. Specific topics include: measuring and defining health; surveillance and privacy; preparedness, quarantine, and distribution of resources during a health emergency; and health inequalities.
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken EPIB 624.
- Students from all disciplinary backgrounds are welcome.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
General elective course:
HGEN 660. Genetics and Bioethics.
Credits: 3 Offered by: Human Genetics (Graduate Studies) Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 View offerings for or in Visual Schedule Builder.
Description
This course will deal with ethical issues in the gathering, dissemination, and use of genetic information for decisions concerning reproduction, health care, and research.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
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3 or more Credits |
| Thesis |
BIOE 690. M.Sc. Thesis Literature Survey.
Credits: 3 Offered by: Population and Global Health (Graduate Studies) Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 View offerings for or in Visual Schedule Builder.
Description
A comprehensive literature survey in the general area of the thesis topic, to be completed in the first semester.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
BIOE 691. M.Sc. Thesis Research Proposal.
Credits: 3 Offered by: Population and Global Health (Graduate Studies)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Independent work under the supervision of the thesis advisor(s) leading to a thesis proposal.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
BIOE 692. M.Sc. Thesis Research Progress Report.
Credits: 6 Offered by: Population and Global Health (Graduate Studies)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
A status report on the progress in the thesis research.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
BIOE 693. M.Sc. Thesis.
Credits: 12 Offered by: Population and Global Health (Graduate Studies) Terms offered: Summer 2025 View offerings for in Visual Schedule Builder.
Description
Independent work听under the supervision of the thesis听advisor(s) leading to a thesis manuscript.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
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NOTE: Thesis credits do not constitute actual courses, you do not need to attend any further classes; the actual thesis is the work for these credits. They can be taken at any time during the program, as long as they are completed before the Initial Thesis Submission. Must only register for the above courses once, no duplication permitted. |
24 credits |
| 听 |
听 |
Total: 45 credits |