Introduction to Health Ethics
UndergraduateADU-PUBH10142027
Previously UAD-PUB1506OUA
Course information for 2027 intake View information for 2026 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 27 Dec 2026
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Price from
- $2,200
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Introduction to Health Ethics
About this subject
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
- Analyse ethical problems in health care practice and policy.
- Explain relevant ethical theories and concepts.
- Synthesise relevant information and ideas.
- Critique arguments using evidence and theory.
- Defend a proposed course of action.
- The course is organised around three elements in combination:
- 1. A layered model of health determinants, ranging from the genetic level to the global level
- 2. The recurring question ‘What should we do, and why?’
- 3. The ethical theories of utilitarianism (saving lives), liberalism (respecting rights) with some reference to communitarianism
Should you be able to choose the gender of your baby? Should risky behaviours reduce your fair share of health care resources? Should researchers in developed countries conduct research with populations in developing countries? What are the ethical obligations of biomedical scientists? Is euthanasia morally permissible? These are some of the fascinating ethical questions this course will equip you to answer. You will explore ethical issues ranging from the individual to the global level, and learn to analyse and resolve these issues using major ethical theories and principles. In this way, you will come to appreciate that a tension sometimes exists between saving lives and respecting rights.
All assessment is assignment based.
- Report (15%)
- Critical Analysis (30%)
- Essay (x2) (55%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
UAD-PUB1506OUA (Not currently available)
Others
Successful completion and passing of four core open access courses and admission into the Bachelor of Health Service Management.
must not have completed PUBHLTH1506OUA Introduction to Health Ethics at the University of Adelaide
Additional requirements
- Equipment requirements - Headphones or speakers (required to listen to lectures and other media). Headset, including microphone (highly recommended). Webcam (may be required for participation in virtual classrooms and/or presentations).
- Software requirements - It is essential for students to have reliable internet access in order to participate in and complete your units. myLearning is the Adelaide University's online learning environment. myLearning provides access to various features including announcements, course materials, discussion boards and assessments.
- Other requirements - Based on duty of care requirements, a student admitted to Adelaide University must be at least 17 years of age by the date of enrolment, in accordance with Adelaide University's Admission for Coursework Programs Procedure.
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.