Program Requirements
The 45-credit LL.M. program, thesis option, in Bioethics is a research-intensive interdisciplinary, graduate program focused on developing research interests into a thesis project under the supervision of a faculty member. Graduate level courses on theoretical and methodological approaches to legal writing complement the research work and thesis completion process, and courses in specific areas of knowledge related to the candidate's research interests complete the program's credit requirements.
Students following the Bioethics option come from the Faculties of Law, Medicine, Religious Studies or the Department of Philosophy. Students entering pursuing an LL.M., Bioethics, are bound by the requirements of the Faculty of Law's LL.M. program (thesis option). For further information regarding this program, please refer to the Bioethics section. See
Candidates must remain in residence for three terms. The third term, usually devoted to thesis research, may be taken the summer of the first year. If the thesis is not completed in this time, students must register for additional sessions as needed. All degree requirements must be completed within a maximum of three years of the date of first registration.
Thesis - Required (24 credits)
The Master's Thesis programs consist of a course work component and a thesis of approximately 100 pages. As part of the thesis requirement, a candidate must provide a protocol to his or her supervisor setting out details as to the thesis topic, the deadlines for the completion of the various thesis courses and the schedule of meetings with the thesis supervisor. Modifications to the protocol must be made in writing and submitted to the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies).
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BIOE 690 M.Sc. Thesis Literature Survey (3 credits)
Overview
Bio-Ethics
Terms: Fall 2009, Winter 2010
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
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BIOE 691 M.Sc. Thesis Research Proposal (3 credits)
Overview
Bio-Ethics
Terms: Fall 2009, Winter 2010
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
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BIOE 692 M.Sc. Thesis Research Progress Report (6 credits)
Overview
Bio-Ethics
Terms: Fall 2009, Winter 2010
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
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BIOE 693 M.Sc. Thesis (12 credits)
Overview
Bio-Ethics
Terms: Fall 2009, Winter 2010
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Required Courses (10 credits)
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BIOE 680 Bioethical Theory (3 credits)
Overview
Bio-Ethics : A survey of some of the main problem areas and common argument forms used in current bioethics. Problem areas include consent, decisions to withhold or withdraw treatment, allocation of scarce resources, research with human subjects and confidentiality. Argument forms include those drawn from diverse ethical theories and traditions.
Terms: Fall 2009
Instructors: Ells, Carolyn (Fall)
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BIOE 681 Bioethics Practicum (3 credits)
Overview
Bio-Ethics : 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.
Terms: Winter 2010
Instructors: Bereza, Eugene (Winter)
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CMPL 641 Theoretical Approaches to Law (4 credits)
Overview
Comparative Law : Introduction to a variety of theoretical approaches to legal scholarship.
Terms: Fall 2009
Instructors: Antaki, Mark; Manderson, Desmond Robert; Emerich, Yaell (Fall)
Complementary Courses (11 credits)
1 of the following:
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BIOE 682 Medical Basis of Bioethics (3 credits)
Overview
Bio-Ethics : The seminar examines the medical basis of timely ethical dilemmas in health care. Content includes: clinical concepts of pathogenesis, disease, screening, diagnosis, therapeutic interventions and prognosis; decision-making in clinical care and institutional policy development; organization of health care systems including socialized medicine, public health and institutions providing health care; medical research.
Terms: Fall 2009
Instructors: Gilmore, Norbert (Fall)
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CMPL 642 Law and Health Care (3 credits)
Overview
Comparative Law : The study of legal and ethical issues raised in medicine and healthcare with a particular focus upon the relationship between patient and healthcare professionals.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
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PHIL 543 Seminar: Medical Ethics (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : An advanced course devoted to a particular philosophical problem as it arises in the context of medical practice or the application of medical technology.
Terms: Winter 2010
Instructors: Kimmelman, Jonathan (Winter)
- Prerequisite: PHIL 343 or written permission of the instructor
- Restriction: Seminars are open only to graduate students and final year Philosophy Majors, Honours and Joint Honours students, except by written permission of the Department
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RELG 571 Religion and Medicine (3 credits)
Overview
Religious Studies : A study of the resources of major world religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism and Shinto) for thinking about ethical issues related to modern medicine, e.g., health, illness, suffering; new reproductive technologies; genetic engineering; euthanasia; palliative care; animal research; transplants.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
8-9 credits at the 500-level or above of Faculty of Law courses or Bioethics courses.