Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

We study the history of engineering, its changing relationship to the sciences, and its effects upon society. We cover the ethical and environmental implications of engineering choices. We briefly explore the fundamental concepts in artificial intelligence, information theory, and thermodynamics. Students in the course will work together in small teams to complete a practical engineering design project. Students with credit for ENSC 100, CMPT 106, ENSC 106, or MSE 102 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Hum/Science.

COURSE DETAILS:

1.0 Introduction

Welcome to ENSC 100. This course explores the interplay between engineering, technology, and society. As the calendar description states: This course is designed to provide an introduction to the practice of engineering, surveying its history and its current state. The social and political aspects of engineering decisions will be illustrated by a number of case studies.  

1.1 Topics Covered  

During the semester, we will cover the following topics:

• History of engineering
• Current state of engineering
• Future of engineering
• Ethical issues associated with engineering
• Modelling Engineering and the environment
• Information theory
• Chaos and complexity
• Group dynamics
• Systems theory
• Engineering management
• Engineering design
• Graphical communication    

1.2 Co-requisite  

ENSC 100 (Engineering, Technology, and Society) is co-requisite with ENSC 105W. ENSC 100 shares teaching assistants, design labs, and some assignments with ENSC 105. ENSC 105W provides support for the written and oral assignments undertaken for ENSC 100. ENSC 105W also provides a general orientation to university and to the School of Engineering Science.  

Note: If you are only enrolled in ENSC 100, you may find it useful to attend some lectures of ENSC 105W and review certain lecture material (particularly material related to the persuasive papers). If you are enrolled only in ENSC 100, I highly recommend that you meet with me during the first two weeks of classes in order to discuss your situation.


2.0 Study Groups   I strongly recommend that you get together on a regular basis with one or two of your classmates, or with members of your design lab groups, to review and discuss the course material. People have different strengths in different parts of the course, so having someone to work with can be very helpful.


3.0 Academic Integrity  


Academic Dishonesty is a form of misconduct that is subject to disciplinary action and includes cheating, fabrication, fraud, facilitating academic dishonesty, and plagiarism. The University has very clear policies on academic dishonesty. Further information can be found at the following website: http://www.sfu.ca/ policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html. Note that you are responsible for reading, understanding, and following this policy.

Any student found guilty of any form of academic dishonesty in this class will receive a written report that will be placed in the student’s files in the ENSC department and the SFU Registrar’s Office. As well, the student will receive a grade of zero on that particular assignment or quiz. Note that if you are found to have been academically dishonest with the persuasive paper you will receive a grade of zero for the assignment in both ENSC 100 and ENSC 105W. Given the weighting of the marks associated with these assignments, you will likely fail both courses if you receive a zero.

Please Note:

All late assignments will be penalized 10% per day (or part thereof) late. This policy is strictly enforced. If you are going to be away, you are more than welcome to hand your assignment in early. No make-up assignments will be given. In the event of extenuating circumstances (illness or accident), supporting documentation will be required and will be verified.

All assignments must be successfully completed to pass the course. Anyone who does not fulfill all requirements will receive an N, which is considered an F for scholastic purposes. At the discretion of your instructor, an N can be changed to a letter grade if course requirements are completed and evaluated by the fifth day of classes of the following semester.

If you believe the grade you have received for an assignment to be unfair, you should first talk with your TA. If the issue is not resolved, you may bring the assignment to your instructor for reassessment within 2 weeks. Please note that the instructor may raise, lower, or maintain your grade.   Detailed information regarding the assignments will be provided in class and on Canvas.

Grading