Engineering and Ethics

Required Text
Harris Jr., C, Pritchard, M. Rabins, M.J., James, R., & Englehardt, E. (2013). Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases,
5th edition. Cengage Learning.
ISBN: 9781337055925

Course Description
This course places a strong emphasis upon Internet research of case studies, professional codes of ethics, and
additional tools for solving engineering ethical problems. The professional role that engineering and engineering
technologists have to ethically serve society is an underlying theme.

Course Objectives
Upon completing this course you will be able to:

Explain the importance of ethics in engineering

Compare and contrast personal and business ethics
Describe ethical problem-solving techniques
Explain the rights and responsibilities of engineers
Describe ethical issues in engineering practice
1.
Tentative Schedule
Reading Why Study Professional Ethics?
Lecture 1 Why Study Professional Ethics?
Week 1: Why Study Professional Ethics?
Discussion Introductions
Assignment Why Study Professional Ethics?
Reading Responsibility in Engineering
(Chapter 3)
Lecture 1 Responsibility in Engineering
Lecture 2 Watch the video Responsibility in
Week 2: Responsibility in Engineering
Engineering
Discussion Engineers Rights and
Responsibilities
Assignment Responsibility in Engineering

Week 3: Framing and Resolving the
Problems
Week 4: The Social and Value Dimensions
Week 5: Trust and Reliability
Week 6: Risk and Liability
Week 7: Engineers and the Environment
Week 8: Engineers in the Global Context
Reading A Practical Ethics Toolkit (Chapter 2)
Lecture 1 Framing the Problem and watch the
video Framing the Problem
Lecture 2 Resolving the Problem and watch
the video Resolving Problems
Discussion Multiple Viewpoints to Make
Ethical Decisions and Creative Middle Way
Solutions
Assignment Framing the Problem and
Resolving Problems
Reading The Social and Value Dimensions
(Chapter 4)
Lecture 1 The Social and Value Dimensions
Lecture 2 Watch the video The Social and
Value Dimensions
Discussion Ethical Issues in Engineering
Design
Assignment The Social and Value Dimension
Midterm
Reading Trust and Reliability (Chapter 5)
Lecture 1 Trust and Reliability
Lecture 2 Watch the video The Social and
Value Dimensions
Discussion Academic Honesty
Assignment Forms of Dihonesty
Reading Risk and Liability in Engineering
(Chapter 6)
Lecture 1 Risk and Liability in Engineering
Lecture 2 Watch the video Risk and Liability
in Engineering
Discussion Perception of Risk
Assignment Public Safety in Engineering
Reading Engineers and the Environment
(Chapter 8)
Lecture 1 Engineers and the Environment
Lecture 2 Watch the video Engineers and the
Environment
Discussion Review & Reflection
Assignment Engineers and the Environment
Reading Engineers in the Global Context
(Chapter 9)
Lecture 1 Engineers in the Global Context
 Lecture 2 Watch the video Engineers in the
Global context
Discussion Global Economic Issues in
Engineering
Student End of Course Survey
Final Exam

Work must be submitted by 11:59 PM C.S.T. on the due date

Grading Policy
Assignment Percentage
Discussions 20%
Assignments 40%
Midterm 20%
Final 20%

Expected Student Workload

The following table outlines the academic effort required for you to be successful in this course. While the times in the
table are approximate, it is presented to help with your time management. If you have any questions or concerns, please
direct them to your instructor or student advisor.

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 0.4

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 0.0

1 Readings 1.0

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 1.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required
 Readings/Lectures 0.6

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 0.0

2 Readings 2.0

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 9.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 0.5

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 0.0

3 Readings 1.6

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 9.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 0.5

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 2.0

4 Readings 1.3

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 6.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

5 Online Readings/Lectures 0.5

 Discussions 3.0

Assignments 0.0

Readings 0.9

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 3.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 0.5

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 0.0

6 Readings 2.1

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 9.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 0.6

Online Discussions 3.0

Assignments 0.0

7 Readings 0.8

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 9.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

Estimated Hours
Week Type of Activity Activity
Required

Readings/Lectures 0.5
8 Online
Discussions 3.0
 Assignments 2.0

Readings 1.0

Discussions 2.0
Preparation
Assignments 3.0

Clinical/Lab Hours 0.0

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