Biomedical Ethics Minor (HBA)
Admissions Category: Social Sciences & Humanities
Program Overview
Philosophy is the study of the ideas that shape our thought and action, and it addresses fundamental questions and problems associated with reality, truth, existence, logic, and morality. Biomedical ethics, like the study of ethics in general, is concerned with the question of how we ought to act. Bioethics is distinguished by its focus on the unique problems that emerge in the context of medical decision-making, health-care policy, and biotechnology.
Complementary Programs:
Psychology, Political Science, Biological Sciences, English Literature, Historical and Cultural Studies
Check out future career opportunities and skills acquired from completing this program:
Competencies & Skills
- Analyze concepts, definitions, arguments and problems
- Organize ideas and issues
- Deal with questions of value, and extract what is essential from masses of information
- Analyze data and facts presented about an issue and provide input on ethical implications
Careers for Graduates
- Public Policy Analyst
- Health Policy Analyst
- Community Health Worker
- Patient Services Coordinator
- Legal Researcher
- Police Officer/Law Enforcement
Further Education
- Philosophy
- Bioethics
- Law
- Education
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Religious Studies
Program Pathway
Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4
Year 1
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Year 2
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Year 3
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Year 4
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
Choose Your Courses Wisely
- Explore different kinds of courses; this will also help with fulfilling breadth requirements and electives.
- Use Degree Explorer and the UTSC Calendar to plan your degree.
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
- Schedule an appointment with your Program Librarian for in-depth research assistance with your assignments.
- Get writing support at the CTL Writing Centre.
Apply Theory to Practice
- Attend the UTSC Faculty Mix & Mingle Fair to connect with professors and learn more about their specialties.
- Start building your Co-Curricular Record (CCR) and search for Experiential Learning opportunities.
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
- Get involved with the Association of Philosophy Students (APS) at UTSC to connect with peers in your area of study and learn about opportunities available on campus.
- Volunteer in DSL’s Alternative Reading Week program to gain experience and knowledge about social change and community development.
Plan for Your Future Career
- Volunteer with organizations to explore your interests; check listings on CLNx.
- Attend the UTSC Get Experience Fair in September and register with SCSU’s Volunteer Network Program to explore opportunities.
Year 2
Choose Your Courses Wisely
- 0.5 B-level credit: PHLB09H3.
- 0.5 credit in Value Theory from: PHLA11H3, PHLB02H3, PHLB05H3, PHLB06H3, PHLB07H3, PHLB11H3, PHLB17H3, PHLC05H3, PHLC06H3, PHLC92H3, PHLC93H3, PHLD05H3, PHLD78H3.
- Use Degree Explorer to plan your courses and program.
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
- Further develop your general academic skills by attending workshops offered by the Academic Advising & Career Centre (AA&CC) and Centre for Teaching & Learning (CTL).
Apply Theory to Practice
- Get involved in relevant opportunities on and/or off campus; apply to Work Study or other part-time and summer jobs on CLNx (>Jobs & Recruitment).
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
- Check CLNx (>Jobs & Recruitment) to search for Work Study or volunteer positions on campus to gain experience and to get involved.
- Attend the annual International Undergraduate Philosophy Conference to hear presentations given by a keynote speaker and your senior undergraduate peers.
Plan for Your Future Career
- Considering grad school? Speak to professors and advisors early so you are on track.
- Explore careers through the AA&CC’s Job Shadowing and In The Field programs.
Year 3
Choose Your Courses Wisely
- 1.0 credit in Biomedical Ethics from: PHLC07H3, PHLC10H3, PHLD09H3.
- 2.0 additional PHL credits (see UTSC Calendar for details).
- Use Degree Explorer to ensure you are on track with your degree.
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
- Consider competing for the UTSC Library Undergraduate Research Prize or Poster Forum.
Apply Theory to Practice
- Participate in the annual International Undergraduate Philosophy Conference to showcase your work, and listen to other presentations by keynote speakers and your undergraduate peers.
- Apply to the UTSC Socrates Project to receive pedagogical training and to work as a Teaching Assistant in introductory philosophy courses.
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
- Run for an elected position in the Association of Philosophy Students (APS).
- Look into volunteering or working overseas to expand your network through International Student Centre’s (ISC) Global Learning programs.
- Consider applying to summer undergraduate philosophy institutes abroad.
Plan for Your Future Career
- Plan a career path with a staff member at the AA&CC.
- Check CLNx for networking events and employer information sessions to attend.
- Attend the Graduate & Professional School Fair in September.
- Attend department information sessions on applying to graduate school in philosophy.
Year 4
Choose Your Courses Wisely
- Use Degree Explorer to ensure you are on track to graduate.
- Ensure you have fulfilled your breadth requirements.
- Register your “Intent to Graduate” on ACORN by the deadline.
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
- Apply for the Academic Travel Fund through DSL to conduct research, present at a conference, or engage with the academic community internationally.
Apply Theory to Practice
- Attend the Summer & Full-time Job Fair in January to meet with potential employers looking to hire students for summer and full-time positions relevant to your field.
Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
- Participate in the AA&CC’s Partners in Leadership program to learn and network with an alumni mentor about transitioning into the work field or further education.
Plan for Your Future Career
- Attend the AA&CC’s Get Hired job search conference in April/May.
- Attend a Jobs for Grads orientation for a job search “crash course” and for access to full-time job listings.
- Discuss grad school plans early with staff at the AA&CC and your professors; get your Personal Statement reviewed in the AA&CC.