Ethics in Science, 2018

The Scripps Research Institute

Instructor

• Michael Kalichman
  Director, San Diego Research Ethics Consortium
  858-822-2027 | mkalichman@ucsd.edu
• Xinrui Li
  Program Coordinator, Career and Postdoctoral Services (Florida campus)
  561-228-2538 | XLi@scripps.edu

Course Information

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to engage researchers in reading, considering, and discussing the responsible conduct of science. The course is designed as an option for meeting current NIH and NSF requirements for training in the responsible conduct of research.

Background Preparation (Prerequisites)

No prerequisites.

Texts and Journal References

Baseline information for commonly discussed topics can be found at: research-ethics.net.

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will:

1. know rules, issues, options, and resources for research ethics
2. understand the purpose and value of ethical decision-making
3. have a positive disposition toward continued learning about research ethics

Course Format

Course topics will be covered by a combination of lectures, student presentations, readings accessible on the Web, and discussion in class. In addition to those readings linked below, additional readings may be sent out in advance of some class meetings. Attendance, participation in discussions and completion of assignments will be the basis for credit. NOTE: The course schedule or organization may be changed if necessary to better achieve the course objectives.

Credit

This course is available for pass/fail credit not for a letter grade. To receive credit for the course or for the purpose of NIH or NSF training requirements, you must attend all 7 class meetings, complete assigned readings, prepare and present assigned presentations, and participate in class discussions. If you need credit for this course, but find that you cannot meet these requirements, then you should contact the instructor as soon as possible.
For a complete listing of assignments, please check the Assignments page.

Scientific and Professional Ethics

The work you do in this course must be your own. You must be aware when you are building on someone else's ideas, including ideas of classmates, professors, and authors of the materials you read. You must explicitly acknowledge the ideas of others. Feel free to build on, react to, criticize, and analyze the ideas of others but, when you do, make it known whose ideas you are working with. If you have questions about drawing the line between others' work and your own, ask the instructor for guidance.

Expectations and Logistics

The first session of the course will consist largely of lecture, but will also include opportunities for questions and some discussion. The next five sessions of the course will be structured around student presentations of selected topics. The course will include some readings and homework assignments to identify current events relevant to the course topics. The final meeting will consist of a discussion of your questions about research ethics with a faculty panel.

Tentative Schedule