Graduates of the William Jewell College bioethics program:
Demonstrate a basic understanding of contemporary moral philosophy;
Develop a basic understanding of biological principles, facts and concepts;
Develop a basic understanding of chemical principles, facts and concepts;
Develop expertise in the methodologies of field and lab;
Learn to think critically in interdisciplinary contexts;
Develop research and communication skills related to philosophical and scientific investigation.
The Bioethics major, which leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree, is designed for students who want to pursue an interdisciplinary study of science and ethics. All students will obtain a basic grounding in the fields of biology and chemistry, and then explore the application of contemporary moral theory in both biomedical and environmental contexts. Students will also reflect upon fundamental philosophical questions pertaining to the scientific enterprise itself. Finally, all students will finish their study with a semester-long practicum, in collaboration with a bioethicist, where they can relate what they have learned in the classroom to concrete situations in the work environment. Students majoring in bioethics must complete all requirements for the BA degree.
The Majors
Bioethics
Required Courses
BIO 133
Evolution and Ecology (4)
BIO 234
Genetics (4)
BIO 233 or OXS 250
Cell and Molecular Biology (4) or Genes (4)
CHE 122
General Chemistry (4)
CHE 205
The Informed Chemist* (4)
CHE 206
Analytical Chemistry (4)
CHE 301
Organic Chemistry I (4)
CHE 302
Organic Chemistry II (4)
PHI 202
Ethics (4)
PHI 353
Environmental Ethics (4)
PHI 362
Medical Ethics (4)
PHI 357
Contemporary Philosophy of Science (4)
BTH 400
Bioethics Practicum (4)
Incoming bioethics students should enroll in BIO 133. Students studying bioethics with the intention of going to medical or graduate school and who are prepared for calculus will need to take CTI 104. Students with a strong background in chemistry and math should enroll in CHE 122 or otherwise wait and enroll in CHE 121 in the spring.
*CHE 205 is not required of students whose primary major is Oxbridge Molecular Biology.
Course Descriptions
BTH 400 Bioethics Practicum (4 cr. hrs.)
The goal of this course is to provide an exposure to the application of bioethics. It is intended as a practical counterpart to the theoretical knowledge base acquired in the philosophy and science core courses. Students will be expected to integrate their theoretical knowledge with basic approaches and skills, in order to demonstrate their understanding of ethical principles and how they are used in resolving ethical problems. Students will complete a 50-hour practicum, participate in weekly seminars, and write a research paper.
