Engineering Ethics
Engineering Ethics
Engineers, through the work they do on a daily basis, have an impact on the health and safety of the general public. Whether it is a civil engineer designing a bridge, or an electrical engineer working on a consumer product, the decisions engineers make can have a significant influence on society.
Engineers are expected to uphold a professional code of conduct. Each engineering discipline has their own version; however all are based on the National Society of Professional Engineers Fundamental Canons.
The Fundamental Canons from the National Society of Professional Engineers are listed below: It is in your best interest as a student to understand these canons. You will become familiar with some high profile cases involving a breach of these fundamental canons. Many of these situations begin with what appears to be a simple oversight, but can quickly escalate into a major disaster. Understanding these fundamental canons will help you avoid these situations.
As a student, you are responsible to uphold a set of guiding principles, the Student Code of Conduct. It is designed to help create a learning and living environment based upon values of honesty, trust, fairness and respect. You should become familiar with this, if you aren’t already. More information can be found at the link below: …
http://deanofstudents.boisestate.edu/student-code-of-conduct/
Activity 10-A Case Study Analysis
Individual Assignment (100 pts)
- Conduct research on a case involving a breach of engineering ethics. Describe the situation with sufficient detail such that someone unfamiliar with the case will understand what happened. You may select a case that interest you as provided it is relevant to engineering and breaches of the NSPE Fundamental Canons clearly identifies (see question 2 below). Or, select one of the cases listed below::
- Union Carbide Chemical Plant, Bhopal, India
- Minneapolis bridge collapse (2007)
- Boston’s “Big Dig” tunnel ceiling collapse
- Teton Dam Failure
- Upper Big Branch Mine disaster, Raleigh County, West Virginia
Please do not investigate the examples that were discussed in class, Challenge, Hyatt Regency Walkway, and the Ford Pinto or the Deep Horizon oil spill.
- Identify the National Society of Professional Engineers Fundamental Canon(s) that were violated and provide evidence from the case to substantiate your claims. These can be found at the following link:
- Describe the outcomes that resulted from these violations. Be sure to think broadly about the outcomes beyond loss of life and property damage. Examples may include environmental damage, disruption of traffic, etc. Outcomes may also result in positive changes to minimize these situations from occurring in the future.
- Describe what could have been done to change the outcomes with this case.
- Reflect on and describe a situation you have encountered in your own life where an understanding of ethics benefitted you or someone you know, or conversely, where a violation of ethics caused damages for you or someone you know.
Note the following:
Document any sources you used to research this case and prepare the analysis.
Do not copy and paste material into your paper! This is plagiarism, which is a form of academic dishonesty. Use your own words.
Wikipedia can be a useful, but not definitive source. The review process is imperfect; be aware that submissions contain incorrect or controversial information on occasion. You are allowed to use it as a source for this assignment; however, you must consult an additional source. It should NOT be your only source for information.
Submit your completed paper via blackboard.
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