Spring 2025 - MSE 402 D100
Engineering Ethics, Law, and Professional Practice (2)
Class Number: 6257
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Surrey
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Instructor:
Bruce Fingarson
fingarso@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
100 units including one of MSE 102, ENSC 100, ENSC 106, or CMPT 106. MSE 102 may be taken concurrently.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
This course provides an introduction to the engineering profession, professional practice, engineering law and ethics, including the issues of worker and public safety. It also offers opportunities to explore the social implications and environmental impacts of technologies, including sustainability, and to consider engineers' responsibility to society. Students with credit for ENSC 406 or SEE 402 may not take MSE 402 for further credit.
COURSE DETAILS:
Module 1: EGBC purpose and its role in engineering and geoscience
Module 2: EGBC Code of Ethics and the impact of the code on engineers and geoscientists
Module 3: Engineering culture, the what, where and how
Module 4: Exploring gender equality, diversity and inclusion
Module 5: How to manage whislte blowing and conflicts of interest
Module 6: IMproving sustainability in engineering design
Module 7: Health and safety considerations, including risk analysis in design
Module 8: Corporate structures and the Canadian court system
Module 9: How contract law can impact your work
Module 10: Torts, what are they and how can we avoid them
Module 11: Employment and labour laws in Canada
Module 12: Intellectual property and how to protect it
Module 13: How to approach writing your national professional practice exam
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
A8.1: Legal Responsibilities (eg. common legal issues in companies)
A8.3: Technical Standards and Codes of Practice, legal and regulatory
A9.1: Role of an Engineer, risk mgmt and design cycle
A9.2: Social, Environmental and Economical Sustainability
A10.1: Professional Ethics and Ethical Decision Making
A10.2: Codes of Conduct and Consequences
A10.3: Intellectual Property Rights and Protections
A10.4: Equity and Awareness of Diversity (gender, race and age)
Grading
- Final Exam 40%
- Participation and professionalism 12%
- Ethical case study 10%
- Whistle blowing and conflict of interest quiz 5%
- Health, safety and risk analysis quiz 5%
- Canadian courts, torts and contract law quiz 15%
- Intellectual property quiz 8%
- EGBC roles and responsibilites quiz 5%
NOTES:
Quizzes throughout the semester will be held on the days of the tutorial, wherever possible.
The instructor reserves the right to alter the above grading scheme, with the exception of the final exam weighting.
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
Reference textbooks for the course and exams:
Canadian Professional Engineering and Geoscience, Practice and Ethics, 5th edition, Gordon C. Andrews, Nelson Education
Practical Law of Architecture, Engineering and Geoscience, 2nd Canadian Edition, Brian M. Samuels / Doug R. Sanders, Pearson Canada
Law for Professional Engineeers, Canadian and Global Insights, 5th Edition, Donald L. Marston, McGraw Hill Education
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.