Exercise 1.2.

1 Ethics
An engineering student discovers that a take-home examination has been
copied from an old textbook. He decides to use the information, telling of his
discovery to only one friend. The friend, out of loyalty, tells her roommate of
the book in the library. After the examination has been graded, some of the
students find out about the original discovery and information sharing to the
friend (the roommate's involvement is not known). The students complain to
the professor.

Is this cheating?
What NSPE Code of Ethics does this impact?
What would you have done if you had found out that
others were using the text problem for the exam?
How do you think the copying students justified
their actions?
Who else is affected by this action and how are they
affected?
What should the professor do?

Have a conversation with your team members about how

you approached this situation

Exercise 1.2.2 Ethics

An engineering mechanics course ends with a design project produced
by teams. The project challenges students to use the analysis skills
they have develop in the course to construct a functional prototype of
their design. The professors intent is to have them rely less on trial
and error and more on analytical skills and systematic design
procedures. Therefore, students are given a specific set of materials
to work with and told not to purchase additional materials for
practice. During the semester a team observes another team
building their project with scrap materials they found in surplus bin in
the shop. They also heard rumors that another team had help with
their analysis from a parents consulting firm. One of the team
members who observed the miss use complains to the professor.

Is cheating involved?
What should the professor do?
What would you do if you heard a rumor about
using unauthorized resources?

Exercise 1.2.3 Ethics

Your teammate in an engineering drawing class is having
problem using the course software to complete his
assigned homework. At the very last minute, he has
asked for your help, but you decline because of other
priorities. He then asks if he can see your drawing file,
so he can figure out how to use the software to do his
own work. Reluctantly, you loan him your memory stick
that contains the drawing. When the assignments are
returned by the instructor, you find that your teammate
did not do his own work, and only submitted your drawing
with his name applied.
What would you do?
What reasons do you have to justify this action?
If you decide to tell the professor, what should he do?

Exercise 1.2.4 Ethics

In your first job assignment you are assigned to a renovation
study for a pipeline company. You conclude that the existing
pipeline is corroded and must be replaced. You know that this
action is going to cost your client millions of dollars. Your
manager, the bosses son, complains that this will force your
client out of business and will actually end up costing your own
company a lot of money is reduced revenue, possibly even
forcing some layoffs. You also know that as a minimum, this
will mean significantly reduced salary bonuses for you, your
coworkers, and your manager. Your manager has asked you
to change your recommendation.
What would you do?
What reasons do you have to justify this action?

Personnel
Your company has a firm policy regarding cases of theft of company
property. Used company equipment is on a table to be sold by bid each
month. You see a valued employee who is 2 months from retirement
slip an electric drill from the table and put it in his car before the day of
the sale. What so you do?
Purchasing
You are one of several buyers for a chemical company. Your
company has a policy of not accepting gifts. However, over the
years, salesmen have offered , and employees have accepted
items such as lunches or theater and baseball tickets. You arrive
home from the office and find a new TV and DVD player on your
doorstep with a note that says: A personal gift for our long
standing friendship. Enjoy it with you family in good health, signed
the ABC Chemical Distributor Company
What do you do?

Reporting
As part of a contracted multi-year research study, one of the divisions of your
company published a study, which concluded that bottled water has virtually
no health advantages over the tap water in most cities, including yours. The
AquaPure Bottled Water Company, which has a very important engineering
contract with your division, and has threatened to pull its account from your
company unless your company retracts the study and publishes another story
of equal prominence, focusing on the benefits of bottled water.
What do you do?
Engineering Work
In your spare time at work, you have developed a new engineering software
tool on the personal computer in your office. It is even more powerful, yet
easier to use than anything on the market. You share your new program with a
friend who encourages you to market it on your own because you could
probably make an incredible profit in a very short time. This is a very attractive
option, yet you developed it using company equipment and during time that
you were at work.
What do you do?

What influences your decisions?

Ethics are not context-dependent, but

your behavior is!
There are many reasons that we behave
in ways that are inconsistent with our
ethics.
With your team list five factors that could
make it hard for a student to stick to
their principles.
How can you reduce the probability that
you will cheat or behave unethically?

Learning Objectives
Part 1: Engaging Ethics
Define the basic principles of professional ethics and academic
ethics
Relate the Canons of the NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers
that apply to professional development in an academic
environment
Apply fundamental Cannons associated with the NSPE Code of
Ethics for Engineers to make informed ethical engineering
decisions and explain the rationale for making such decisions
using the Canons

Part 2: Defining Engineering

Articulate a definition of engineering.
List the Engineering majors offered at TAMU and briefly
describe them
Define typical engineering job functions

What images of engineering challenge

you?

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Possible Definitions of Engineer

An engineer is a person who
possesses this knowledge of
mathematics and natural sciences, and
through the principles of analysis and
design applies this knowledge to the
solution of problems and the
development of devices, processes,
structures, and systems.
Eide, et al., Engineering Fundamentals and Problem
Solving, 6th Edition

Possible Definitions of Engineer

Problem Solver
Types of problems you are qualified to
solve dependent on your particular
discipline

What is different in this statement?

No profession unleashes the spirit of innovation like
engineering. From research to real-world applications,
engineers constantly discover how to improve our lives by
creating bold new solutions that connect science to life in
unexpected, forward-thinking ways. Few professions turn so
many ideas into so many realities. Few have such a direct
and positive effect on peoples everyday lives. We are
counting on engineers and their imaginations to help us
meet the needs of the 21st century.
National Academy of Engineering, Changing the Conversation,
2008

Possible Definitions of Engineer

Is something missing from these
definitions?

Possible Definitions of Engineer

Engineering by definition is a field dedicated to
solving problems for PEOPLE.
As engineers, we apply the principles of
mathematics and natural sciences to solve problems
for PEOPLE, in order to make their lives better.
As engineers, we have a public image problem.
We often do not promote our profession as
people-oriented.

What do you notice about the

difference of these perceptions?

(National Academy of Engineering, Changing the Conversation, 2008)

Disciplines versus Functions

Disciplines

Aerospace
Chemical
Civil & Ocean
Electrical & Computer
Mechanical
Petroleum
Biological and Agricultural
Biomedical
Computer Science & Computer
Engineering
Engineering Technology & Industrial
Distribution
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Material Sciences Engineering
Nuclear & Radiological Health
Engineering

Functions

Research
Development
Design
Production & Testing
Construction
Operations
Sales
Management
Consulting
Teaching

Customer
Manufacturin
g
Manufacturin
g Engineering

Marketing

Product
Engineering