Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2018 - ENSC 406 D100

Engineering Ethics, Law, and Professional Practice (2)

Class Number: 1124

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 7 – Aug 3, 2018: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 11, 2018
    Sat, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    100 units including one of ENSC 100, ENSC 106, or CMPT 106, or MSE 102.

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 MSE 402 may not take ENSC 406 for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Information regarding each week will be posted on Canvas (canvas.sfu.ca).

Attendance in ENSC 406 is not mandatory, but you will be evaluated on your participation, so missing lectures and tutorials will affect this portion of your mark. Participating means more than showing up to tutorials. We expect that you will come prepared and will interact. Additionally, lectures may have in-class assignments that must be handed in. These assignments will be part of your participation marks. A rubric will be distributed outlining this portion of your mark.

Assignments due in tutorial are to be handed in at the start of the tutorial; late assignments will not be accepted. Other assignments will be penalized 10% per day.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of the course, you should be able to

* Explain the purpose of professional organizations such as EGBC

* Define and explain the rights and responsibilities of engineers

* Summarize the APEGBC codes of ethics

* Define the terms/concepts Utilitarianism, Duty ethics, Right ethics, Virtue ethics

* State the criteria for safe design

* Explain how line drawing, flowcharting and other problem solving methods are used to analyze a case

* Analyze case studies using the ethical theories, the APEGBC code of ethics, the criteria for safe design, and the problem solving methods

* Apply the concepts of ethics to research and experimentation

* Define the concept of sustainability and cradle-to-cradle design

* Examine social implications and environmental impact of technology

* Analyze a project/procedure using the three pillars of sustainability

* Describe the difference between ethics and law

* Recognize common legal problems in companies and how to avoid such situations

* Define and apply concepts associated with Contracts and Torts, Intellectual Property, Employment and Labour law, and Corporate structures and commercial law

Grading

  • Midterm 1 35%
  • Tutorials 25%
  • Midterm 2 45%

NOTES:

Academic Honesty

Students are responsible for maintaining academic honesty and should be familiar with the policies governing student conduct and discipline (http://www2.sfu.ca/policies/teaching/index.htm). In particular, students should be familiar with section 3.0 of T10.02, Code of Academic Honesty

(http://www2.sfu.ca/policies/teaching/t10-02.htm). Confirmed cases of academic dishonesty could result in failing the course or could lead to a hearing before the University Board of Student Discipline to determine if more serious discipline is warranted. (See the 2001/2002 Report on Student Discipline (http://www.reg.sfu.ca/Senate/SenateComms/UBSDannual2001-2.html) for examples of the range of disciplinary actions taken by the Board.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

“Fundamentals of Ethics for Scientists and Engineers”, Oxford University Press, 2001.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/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

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS