Master of Science in Bioethics
Offered by Social Medicine Unit
Brief Description
The Master of Science in Bioethics is a two-year program, proposed jointly by the Department of Philosophy, CSSP, UP Diliman and the College of Medicine, UP Manila. It is geared towards developing competence in research and instruction in the ethical and technical aspects of health care, medicine, the biological sciences, and biotechnology. As distinguished from the Diploma Program, it is oriented towards research and is intended to provide students with the capability to make original contributions to the field of bioethics.
The program is a response to the growing demand from institutions here and abroad for professionals with the following competences: (1) clear identification of “bioethical issues” as distinct from “technical issues”; (2) analytic, critical and scholarly reflection on personal, professional and social values; (3) bioethics consultation and academic instruction in biomedical institutions; and (4 ) ethics-informed policy-making.
With this program, the University of the Philippines can develop a bioethics training hub for professionals in Asia and assert regional leadership in this field.
Rationale and Objectives
With this program, the University of the Philippines can develop a bioethics training hub for professionals in Asia and assert regional leadership in this field.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the program shall require:
- a baccalaureate degree (preferably in medicine and other life sciences, and in the social sciences) or a diploma in bioethics degree;
- a demonstrated high degree of intellectual capacity and aptitude for advanced study and research;
- language proficiency; and
- such other requirements as may be imposed by the University for the admission of students to its graduate programs.
The selection of students shall also take into account their interest in bioethics, a commitment to continue working in a bioethics-related position, maturity, potential for leadership as evidenced by positions of responsibility, and academic excellence.
Contact Details
Social Medicine Unit
College of Medicine, University of the Philippines
547 Pedro Gil St, Ermita, Manila 1000
List of Faculty
| Name of Faculty | Field of Expertise | Subjects in the Graduate program |
| Dr. Ricardo M. Manalastas | Ob-Gyne | Research and Ethics |
| Dr. Mary Ann Abacan | Pediatrics/Genetics | Gender and Ethics |
MS Bioethics Course Offering
| Course Code | Course Description | No. of Units | No. of students /class (allowed) | Faculty in charge |
| Bioethics 201 | Foundations and Approaches to Bioethics | 3 | 5 | Dr. Ricardo Manalastas |
| Bioethics 212 | Law and Bioethics | 3 | 5 | Prof. Atty. Renato Manaloto |
| Bioethics 221 | Social, Political, and Policy contexts of Bioethics in Asia and the Pacific | 3 | 5 | Dr. Leonardo de Castro |
| Bioethics 222 | Culture and Bioethics | 3 | 5 | Prof. Michael L. Tan |
| Bioethics 280 | Bioethics Practicum. Applied experience in ethics consultation, research ethics review, or health policy development and administration | 3 | 5 | Dr. Ricardo Manalastas |
| Bioethics 300.1 | Master’s Thesis | 3 | Thesis Adviser | |
| Bioethics 300.2 | Master’s Thesis | 3 | Thesis Adviser |
MS Bioethics General Curriculum
| FIRST YEAR | |
| First Semester | Units |
| Core Courses: | |
| Bioethics 201 Foundations and Approaches to Bioethics | 3 |
| Bioethics 211 Social Justice, Human Rights and Ethics | 3 |
| Bioethics 231 Moral Reasoning and Analytical Techniques | 3 |
| Specialization Course 1 | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
| Second Semester | |
| Specialization Course 2 | 3 |
| Core Courses: | |
| Bioethics 291 Research and Ethics | 3 |
| Bioethics 292 Research Ethics Review | 3 |
| Elective Course on Research Methodology 1 | 2 or 3 |
| Total | 11 or 12 |
| SECOND YEAR | |
| First Semester | |
| Specialization Course 3 | 3 |
| Elective Course on Research Methodology 2 | 2 or 3 |
| Bioethics 300.1 Master’s Thesis | 3 |
| Total | 8 or 9 |
| Second Semester | |
| Bioethics 300.2 Master’s Thesis | 3 |
| Total | 3 |