Secular Education

Copying notes of university lectures from a friend

Q: I am studying engineering at a University and have the following questions: 

As being physically present at classes is not mandatory, I did not attend these classes (due to laziness). Every lesson is recorded and available on the internet. During the classes the professor writes down some things which the students copy. These lessons are also available online, as you can basically go through the recorded lessons. However, am I allowed to ask a friend of mine who attended the classes to just give me his notes he copied in order to save time, as going through 30-35 recorded lessons (with each having 90 minutes)?

Studying Darwin’s theory knowing that it is false

Q: If a scholar gives a very strict fatwa regarding something related to shirk, but all the other trustworthy and reputable scholars give a more balanced and moderate fatwa, then if I follow the opinion of the scholars who gave the balanced fatwa, will I become a disbeliever or sinner? 

For example, when studying Darwin’s theory—if someone studies it while keeping in mind that it is false, and only continues studying it for academic purposes, and this opinion is supported by many scholars—But one scholar says that such studies are "trash" and that there’s no need to study them as it could harm one’s faith. 

In that case, if I follow the balanced fatwa and not the harsh one, will I be considered a disbeliever or a sinner?

Doing an assignment regarding LBQTI+

Q: The following is from an assignment of someone doing B.Ed Honours:

"You want to investigate how LBQTI+ learners find safe spaces in the school and plan to interview them using a snowball sampling technique. Discuss the ethical considerations that will inform your research project. Attend to the following in your response:

• An overview of the issues of LBQTI+ in education (100 words)
• Ethics in research (300 words)
• Doing research with vulnerable groups (500 words)
• Issues of confidentiality, anonymity and privacy (500 words)"

What are the effects that these types of assignments/exams will have on the state of a Muslim's imaan?