Engineering Ethics
This course introduces ethical principles, professional responsibilities, and moral reasoning in engineering and computing. Students explore cyberethics, ethical theories, professional codes of conduct, risk management, and environmental impacts through lectures, discussions, and case studies.
Instructor: Jubair Ahmed Nabin
Term: Fall, Spring
Location: Room 812
Course Overview
Engineering Ethics introduces students to the ethical responsibilities of engineers and computing professionals. The course emphasizes moral reasoning, professional codes of conduct, cyberethics issues, and the social and environmental impact of engineering decisions.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Understand moral frameworks in engineering practice
- Identify professional and ethical responsibilities
- Apply ethical reasoning to real-world case studies
- Evaluate risks, safety, and societal impacts of engineering solutions
Textbooks
- Tavani, H. T. Ethics and Technology (5th Edition)
- Fleddermann, C. B. Engineering Ethics (4th Edition)
Schedule
| Week | Date | Topic | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Engineering Ethics & Cyberethics Course overview, OBE introduction, definition of cybertechnology and cyberethics, and overview of moral, social, and legal issues. | ||
| 2 | Cyberethics Evolution & Case Study Analysis Historical development of cyberethics and analysis of Big Dig Collapse case. Quiz 1 conducted. | ||
| 3 | Applied Ethics Perspectives Professional, philosophical, and sociological ethics perspectives and methodological frameworks. Case: Mars Climate Orbiter. Assignment on bridge case. | ||
| 4 | Ethical Case Studies Nixon vs Fitzgerald and Hyatt Regency Walkway Disaster case analysis. | ||
| 5 | First Term Examination Assessment of learning outcomes from weeks 1–4. | ||
| 6 | Ethical Concepts and Moral Systems Ethics vs morality, moral systems, and introduction to ethical theories. Case studies: Paul Lorenz, Challenger Disaster. | ||
| 7 | Ethical Discussion Barriers & Relativism Discussion stoppers, cultural relativism, and ethical disputes. Case studies and assignment on Halting a Dangerous Project. | ||
| 8 | Ethical Theories in Practice Consequence-based, duty-based, contract-based, and virtue ethics theories. Case studies and Quiz 2. | ||
| 9 | Integrated Ethical Frameworks Combining ethical theories into a unified framework. Case studies on Reformed Hacker and Responsible Citizenry. | ||
| 10 | Midterm Examination Evaluation covering weeks 1–9. | ||
| 11 | Critical Reasoning in Cyberethics Logical arguments, validity, soundness, and case analysis including Gilbane Gold and autonomous vehicles. | ||
| 12 | Informal Logic & Fallacies Argument evaluation, inductive reasoning, fallacies, and group presentations. Case studies and assignments. | ||
| 13 | Professional Ethics & Codes of Conduct Professional responsibilities, ethical codes, sustainability, and Quiz 3. Group ethical presentations. | ||
| 14 | Risk, Safety, and Engineering Responsibility Risk perception, safety, accidents, and ethical design considerations. Final group presentations. |