Master’s in Bioethics

The MBE is a blended program which includes both on-campus in-person teaching together with coursework in away periods. Teaching faculty includes both national and international scholars.

The four semesters of the MBE program are spread over two years. The first year of the MBE program involves coursework completed over four on-campus modules. The duration of the first three modules is 2 weeks each (6 days a week) while the last module is generally shorter. The second year is dedicated to the completion of research for thesis under supervision of assigned CBEC faculty.

Required Coursework

Coursework during the two years involves several components. The on-campus component consists of four modules that encompass interactive discussions, seminars dedicated to in-depth discussions of specific ethical topics, ‘pedagogy’ sessions in which the MBEs teach students enrolled in Postgraduate Diploma in Biomedical Ethics program. End of module tests and quizzes are used to assess comprehension of the subject matter taught during each module.

Students are required to submit full length papers connected to all major courses. They also conduct “Directed Research” which involves review and critique of assigned books.

I.      On-Campus

Adult learning methodologies are employed in all four modules, with an emphasis on discussion rather than didactic lectures. In addition to tools such as small group work and role play, movies and examples from art and literature are also included to highlight and discuss various ethical themes.

Students are expected to be punctual, maintain full attendance and participate actively in class discussions.

• Foundations Module

It introduces students to the different epistemological sources of moral traditions. This includes examining the evolution of moral thought from Greeks to the modern times, and the basics of moral traditions in different religions including Islam. Students are encouraged to analyze the similarities and differences between these traditions and to provide constructive critique of each. Sessions also cover the evolution of contemporary bioethics in the 20^th century, a result of the explosive growth in biomedical science and technology, and the ethical challenges specific to this situation in low and middle income countries. Sessions are dedicated to historical interactions between ethics and law using paradigm legal cases. Sessions are also devoted to recognizing the importance of humanities (art and literature) in informing and shaping indigenous values in a society.

• Clinical Ethics Module

The second module focuses on introducing students to the dominant Western paradigm of Principlism and its critique within different sociocultural contexts. Students are also familiarized with the importance of virtues in guiding physician-patient interaction, and the concept of microethics which focuses on daily interactions between patients, families and physicians in clinical practice. Emphasis is also placed on real-life Pakistani case scenarios and discussions which are employed to help familiarize students with ethical questions related to reproduction, genetics, end of life issues, medical error and negligence, organ donation, modern healthcare and practice among others. Students are encouraged to bring their cases for discussions in which they have personally faced moral discomfort. Workshops focusing on the basics of hospital ethics consultative services and communication skills also form a core component.

• Research and Public Health Module

The third module is devoted to ethical issues involving human subject research and public health. Students are introduced to the historical incidents in human experimentation and research such as Nuremberg Trials and the Tuskegee Syphilis Study that led to the development of research ethics as a formal field. Research scandals from the LMIC context are also taught including the HPV vaccine trials in India. Specific challenges of conducting ethical research within LMICs are also discussed. Sessions are devoted to the functions of Institutional Review Boards/ Ethics Review Committees, and issues of conflicts of interest including those during interactions with the pharmaceutical industry. An important component of this module also includes distinguishing between public health research and public health surveillance, and the ethical values in conflict when designing and implementing public health measures especially within the context of epidemics and pandemics.

• Gender Ethics Module

The fourth and last module introduces students to the evolution of feminist movements in the West. Sessions are used to highlight movements for rights of women within Pakistan. Class discussions are also devoted to issues of gender equality within the family and the influence of Muslim fiqh in this area. An integral component of the teaching is to understand the concepts of ‘sex’ versus ‘gender’ and how the biological components interact with social constructs in forming identity of individuals. This includes an understanding of issues related to transgender individuals. Sessions also highlight the role of stereotyping in media in defining gender roles.

II.   Away Period Coursework

During this, MBE students are required to submit a minimum of nine mandatory full-length assignments (1200-1500 words) connected to major courses which are graded by faculty. These assignments require in-depth research, analyses and critical review of readings covered during the modules and additional relevant material.

Under ‘Directed Research,’ students are assigned relevant academic and/or literary books to review. The aim is to encourage wider reading habits, promote critical analysis of authors’ ideas and positions, and enhance writing abilities.

MBE students also participate in the faculty moderated CBEC “Bioethics Blog” through postings, comments and participation in discussions with the PGD students.

MBE Thesis

The second year of the MBE program is devoted to completing research and writing a thesis of 15,000 to 18,000 words. Students are provided with faculty supervisors to guide their research and thesis writing. Research conducted must be original in nature involving quantitative or qualitative methodology or using mixed methods. Students are encouraged to pursue topics relevant to issues in Pakistan. Comprehensive literature review and analysis of a suitable, ethics-related topic are also acceptable for the thesis.

The final thesis is submitted for review by the external Thesis Review Committee (TRC) consisting of relevant national and international scholars. If the external TRC finds that the submission does not meet required standards, the student will be required to make necessary changes and resubmit the thesis. If the resubmitted thesis is still found to be below standards, the student will not receive the MBE degree.

However, if she/he has satisfactorily completed and passed all required MBE coursework during the first year, CBEC faculty may recommend to the Department of Medical Education, SIMS that the student be conferred a Postgraduate Diploma in Biomedical Ethics instead.

Assessment Strategies

Continuous assessment which includes full attendance, active class participation, satisfactory performance in “Pedagogy” sessions, Seminars and course related written assignments in the away period. Other modalities include end of module tests that include Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Short Essay Questions (SEQs), and quizzes.

Completion of MBE Thesis and achieving a “Pass” grade as judged by external TRC.

Retention Criteria

1. MBE students are required to maintain an average of at least a C Plus grade (65%) in the first four graded assignments to continue in the program. Those unable to do so, despite faculty assistance and counselling, may be dropped from the program.
2. MBE students who maintain an average of C Plus grade (65%) through their coursework year but have 3 failures in graded activities may be dropped from the program.
3. Students are expected to be present during all days of every module. Per existing policy, absence for any reason may result in being dropped from the program.

Graduation Criteria

In order to be awarded an MBE degree, students must:

1. Maintain an average of at least C plus grade (65%) throughout the program.
2. Complete all mandatory written assignments satisfactorily.
3. Obtain a pass in the MBE thesis.

The MBE is designed for mid-career professionals, from Pakistan and abroad, holding at least an undergraduate degree (equivalent to Bachelor of Arts/Science, etc.) We target individuals working within primary fields such as healthcare delivery, social sciences, philosophy, law, education, etc. who wish to incorporate aspects of bioethics relevant to their disciplines.

Preference will be given to those who have at least five years of work experience in the primary field following the basic qualification. CBEC programs are inclusive, open to individuals of all genders, ages, religions, and ethnicities without discrimination.

Applicants must have good reading, comprehension, and writing skills in English in order to handle coursework which includes extensive readings and written assignments. In addition, it is essential that applicants possess basic competency in computer skills including the use of email, MS Office programs, web-based searches, video conferencing and social media applications.

Students must have availability of broadband internet in order to complete coursework assignments in the away periods between modules.

Application Process

Application process is online through the CBEC website. MBE applicants must complete all sections of the application form and submit it along with all required documents listed below no later than the given deadline. Late and / or incomplete applications will not be processed.

In addition to the online submission, the application form along with the supporting documents will also need to be emailed to cbec@siut.org and cbec.siut@gmail.com in a single email, as attachments.

All applications are reviewed and assessed by the Admission and Selection Committee (ASC) constituted of CBEC faculty and external members. Those applying for the MBE but judged to be better suited for the one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Biomedical Ethics (PGD) program are offered a shift to the PGD application process. However, this does not guarantee admission into the program.

Applicants who are shortlisted for the MBE program will be invited to appear in an “English Language Comprehension and Writing Skills Test.” Candidates who display required level of proficiency in English are invited for interviews. Interviews are conducted by members of ASC and take place in Karachi and other cities in Pakistan. At the discretion of the ASC, interviews may be conducted online using video-conferencing.

ASC decisions are considered final. However, those who wish to appeal can approach the Chairperson of CBEC.

Documents Required

1. Completed Application Form
2. Brief curriculum vitae
3. Essay: A 700-750-word essay in the applicant’s own words, describing an event or encounter that has had a major or lasting impact on his/her life. The essay should be a MS Word document using Times New Roman script, with font size 12 and double line spacing. The essay document should be saved with the applicants’ surname, e.g. malik.doc before uploading and emailing as an attachment. Note: The essay will be screened for plagiarism and AI-generated content.
4. Scanned copies of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Note: If selected in the program, all original documents must be presented to the Department of Medical Education at Sindh Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) for verification.
5. For applicants who are full-time employees, a scanned letter of permission from the relevant institutional head on a letterhead. This letter should state that he/she has institutional approval for attendance in all four modules at CBEC and completion of coursework during the away period.
6. Two samples of applicant’s written material such as articles, reports, projects etc. Preference will be given to academic publications in national or international journals. Provide hyperlinks to published articles accessible online or upload and email copies.
7. Scan of one recent photograph.
8. Two letters of recommendation addressed to Dr. Farhat Moazam, Chairperson, CBEC, SIUT. These should be emailed directly and in confidence to her by the referees to the following email addresses: famoz@mindspring.com & famoz2008@gmail.com. The letters should be from individuals in responsible positions who know the applicant and believe that he/she is suitable for pursuing formal education in bioethics. The referee should be willing to have a phone conversation with Dr. Moazam if required.

Enrolment in a Concurrent Program

Applications from individuals already enrolled in a program that overlaps with MBE will not be entertained.

Students enrolled in the MBE are not permitted to enroll in a concurrent program until they have completed all requirements of the MBE program.

Tuition

CBEC-SIUT does not charge any tuition fee from students selected into the Master’s in Bioethics (MBE) program. All reading material for courses is shared on Google docs and provided free of cost. Lunch, tea, and snacks are also provided free during the on-campus modules.

Accommodation

Subject to availability, free accommodation (without meals) may be offered at the SIUT residential apartments for out-of-town candidates on a twin sharing basis. The apartments provide free Wi-Fi for use by students.

Transport

Complementary daily transportation between the SIUT apartments and CBEC is provided for the duration of the modules in Karachi. Travel to and from Karachi for out-of-town students will be their own responsibility. CBEC-SIUT will however provide airport pick and drop services for non-Pakistani students to facilitate their arrival and departure. Pakistani students will be responsible for their transport arrangements to and from the Karachi airport. Several reliable radio cab services at the airport are easily available and can be utilized.

Facilities at CBEC

All four modules take place in CBEC in Karachi in a facilitative learning environment. CBEC is located on the 7th Floor of the Suleman Dawood Transplant Tower, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) on Yaqub Khan Road. Adequate workspaces, computers, internet access, a library and photocopying facilities are available on campus.