Engineering Ethics Course - Chapter 1 - Part A - General Introduction

Summary

This video introduces the online Engineering Ethics course, led by Dr. Samer El-Zahab. It covers a range of topics including ethical issues in engineering, corporate responsibility, safety, risk, environmental sustainability, and conflicts of interest. The course will use case studies for critical analysis, with a focus on applying ethical concepts to real-world scenarios. Students are encouraged to engage with the course material through assigned readings and active participation. Assessment includes tests and exams, with an emphasis on independent ethical analysis. The recommended textbook is 'Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases' by Harris Tao.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Engineering Ethics course is delivered online through YouTube videos, offering a review and summary of the full course content.
• 😀 The course is taught in English, including instructions, questions, exams, and classroom conduct.
• 😀 Ethical issues in engineering practice, including historical and modern case studies, are a central focus of the course.
• 😀 The course will cover topics such as corporate responsibility, personal rights, honesty, and self-conduct within corporations.
• 😀 Key topics include ethical considerations around safety, risk, liability, and conflicts of interest, with a focus on case studies.
• 😀 The course will address environmental issues and sustainability through the lens of engineering codes of ethics, such as the ASCE for civil engineering.
• 😀 Students will engage in independent ethical analysis of real-life cases, which will be crucial for exam preparation.
• 😀 The recommended textbook is 'Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases' (5th edition) by Harris Tao, featuring numerous case studies.
• 😀 The course assessments include two tests (25% each) and a final exam (50%), with participation accounting for an additional 5%.
• 😀 Flexibility in assessment is possible, with potential adjustments to the test structure (e.g., midterm and final) depending on the evolving situation.
• 😀 If students miss a session, they can review the content through the videos, complete the readings, and take notes to stay on track.

Q & A

What is the background of the instructor for the Engineering Ethics course?

The instructor is Dr. Samer El-Zahab, who holds a PhD from Concordia University in Montreal, a master's in Civil Engineering from the University of Balamand in Lebanon, and a BSC in Civil Engineering from Rafic Hariri University in Lebanon.

In which language will the course be taught and what is the expectation for classroom conduct?

The course will be taught entirely in English, including exams, questions in online sessions, and general classroom conduct.

What are some of the key ethical topics covered in the course?

The course will cover ethical issues in engineering practice, corporate responsibility, personal rights and honesty, safety, risk, liability, conflicts of interest, environmental issues, sustainability, and independent ethical analysis of real-life cases.

What types of case studies will the course focus on?

The course will examine both historical and modern-day case studies to analyze ethical issues in engineering practice and help students understand real-world scenarios.

What textbook is required for the course?

The required textbook is *Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases* (5th Edition) by Harris Tao. It contains numerous case studies and is recommended for reading and assignments.

How is the course assessment structured?

The course assessment consists of two tests (each worth 25%), a final exam (worth 50%), and participation (worth an additional 5%). The grading structure may be adjusted based on the situation.

What is the role of participation in the grading scheme?

Participation accounts for an additional 5% of the final grade, rewarding active engagement and contribution during the course.

What if a student cannot attend the live sessions?

If a student cannot attend live sessions, the recorded videos of the lectures will be available for review. Students are still expected to complete assigned readings and engage with the material.

How can students prepare for the exams in this course?

Students are encouraged to do all reading assignments, stay ahead of the material, and participate actively. Case studies will require critical thinking, and exams will involve applying ethical analysis to real scenarios.

What is the emphasis on ethical analysis in this course?

A major focus of the course is on independent ethical analysis, where students must apply their learning to assess real-life engineering cases critically and determine their legal and ethical implications.