Ethics in Science, Engineering and Technology: Jekyll and Hyde

Select country:
UK
India

Courses / Modules / UOSM6001 Ethics in Science, Engineering and Technology: Jekyll and Hyde

When you'll study it: Semester 2
CATS points: 15
ECTS points: 7.5
Level: Level 7
Module lead: Paul Duckmanton
Academic year: 2026-27

Module overview

Starting from the underlying themes in Jekyll and Hyde, wherein a scientific discovery can be seen as having both beneficial (Dr. Jekyll) and detrimental aspects (Mr. Hyde), this module delves into the general area of the ethics and social responsibility of scientific discovery in the present day. The contextual setting of the Jekyll and Hyde story (which students will be expected to read) acts as a jumping-off point to examine a series of modern, topical case studies with issues that stubbornly refuse to go away. Delivery will take the form of lectures, seminars, and formal debates by students taking the module.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

The module will consist of lectures, key-note speakers and group work that will improve students’ learning and their analytical skills. The module is innovative in its delivery through the cross-faculty involvement of lecturing staff from the Faculties of Natural and Environmental Sciences and Humanities, and through the participation of external speakers.

Study time
Type	Hours
Assessment tasks	70
Assessment tasks	36
Seminar	22
Assessment tasks	10
Lecture	12
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

A. Briggle and C. Mitcham (2012). Ethics and Science: an introduction. Cambridge University Press.

Robert Louis Stevenson. Strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Assessment

Assessment strategy

Assessment will be done in a number of ways: a) The debates (40% of mark), assessed by peers and academic staff and marked in terms of quality of presentation and engagement with the production of the materials presented. b) Written briefing document on the ethical factors in relation to an aspect of scientific discovery from a selection of topics (40% of mark) c) Additional Essay (20% of mark), students taking this module at FHEQ Level 7 will be required to submit an additional essay (4 type-written pages) describing the ethical aspects of a research area or a method of research practice. They are encouraged to comment on a topic related to their MSc or PhD research project. One of the goals of this unit is to encourage peer learning by participation in the seminar/workshop sessions and the debates. Students will also have an active role in assessing the work of their peers through continuous assessment of seminar participation and the debates.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Debate participation and documents	40%
Briefing document	40%
Essay	20%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Coursework	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External

��Ƭ