Ethics and Responsibilities of Engineers
$44.95
Description
In today’s increasingly competitive business world, engineers are continually faced with ethical questions that balance the needs of clients with those of society as a whole. With the dynamic nature of technological growth, the ethical challenges become more and more difficult to quantify and the potential for unintended and unwanted consequences increases exponentially. Individual profits and public service do not often align, hence the need for a code of ethics.
Ethics and Responsibilities of Engineers is designed to help students and new practitioners understand from where ethics originate and how they have developed in the profession. It is written to help engineers understand how the coursework they take in school aligns with the public good. What separates this book from others is the focus on the historical development of ethics for the profession and the role played by our educational system, accreditation commissions, and licensing boards. The knowledge and regulatory basis for the engineering occupation permits engineers to comprehend and address (and thereby often avoid) the challenges that might compromise the image of engineers in society. The trust that the public has in their judgment to protect and serve society is what allows engineers to be held in high esteem.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: The Profession and Ethical Conduct
Learning Objectives
1.1 What Engineers Do
1.1.1 Engineers in History
1.2 Engineering Ethics
1.3 Summary
References
Problems
Chapter 2: From Where Do Ethics Evolve?
Learning Objectives
2.1 A Brief History of the Development of Ethics
2.2 The Philosophers’ Pontificate
2.3 Creeds, Codes, and Canons
2.4 Summary
References
Problems
Chapter 3: States and Licensure
Learning Objectives
3.1 Licensure
3.2 Rules Guiding Engineers
3.3 Failing to Do Your Job
3.3 Case Studies
3.3.1 Continuing Education
3.3.2 Licensure
3.3.3 Failure to Seal Correctly
3.3.4 Plan Stamping and Letting Someone Use Your Seal
3.3.5 Practicing in Your Area of Competence
3.3.6 Construction Observation
3.3.7 Safety
3.3.8 Negligence—The Failure to Follow Codes
3.4 The MORAL of the Story
3.5 Summary
References
Problems
Chapter 4: Fundamental Education Competency
Learning Objectives
4.1 Accreditation
4.2 Education
4.3 Teaching Ethics in College
4.4. Summary
References
Problems
Chapter 5: Working as an Engineer
Learning Objectives
5.1 What Clients Seek in the Selection of Engineers
5.1.1 What Clients (Should) Seek from Consulting Engineers
5.1.2 What Consultants Do Not Need
5.2 The Proposal Process
5.2.1 Scope of the Project
5.2.2 Requirements of Proposers
5.2.3 Evaluation of Proposals
5.3 Negotiation of Contracts
5.4 Working As an Engineer
5.5 Stages in the Design and Fabrication Process
5.5.1 Documentation and Reports
5.5.2 Failure to Write TMs and Basis of Design Reports
5.6 Summary
References
Problems
Chapter 6: Organizing for Work
Learning Objectives
6.1 Types of Organizations
6.2 Ongoing Operations of a Firm
6.3 Summary
Problems
Chapter 7: Examples of Ethical Conundrums for Engineers
Learning Objectives
7.1 The Challenges of the Engineer’s Creed
7.2 Agents of Social Change Means Social Responsibility
7.2.1 Social Responsibility
7.3 More Complicated Issues
7.3.1 Fixed Budget Challenge
7.3.2 Changing the Design
7.3.3 Product Liability
7.4 Lobbying/Disparaging Comments
7.5 The Groundwater Conundrum
7.5.1 Klamath River Basin
7.6 Risk Assessment: Is Fracking Desirable?
7.7 Artificial Intelligence (AI)
7.8 Contributing to Politicians
7.9 Summary
References
Chapter 8: Economics and Engineering—The Need for Leadership
Learning Objectives
8.1 Defining Leadership
8.2 Results of an Engineering Survey on Leadership
8.3 Conclusions
References
Chapter 9: Conclusions
References
Appendix A – NSPE Code of Ethics
Appendix B – ASCE Code of Ethics
Index
Key Features
- Presents the origins of ethical responsibility for engineers and how ethics have developed in the profession over centuries
- Explores why engineers must operate under a specific code of ethics that recognizes the obligation to protect and serve the public first and foremost
- Discusses the ethics behind how to balance the needs of the client with the needs of society at large
- Outlines how education in the classroom, and experience post classroom, are required to provide tools for licensure and the legal responsibilities that accompany licensure
- Includes actual case studies from licensing boards across the United States
- Offers valuable insight and preparation for civil and construction engineering professional practice
- WAV contains a variety of professor materials (chapter slides, assignments, and the answers to many end-of-chapter questions in the book) suitable for classroom instruction—available from the Web Added ValueTM Download Resource Center
Reviews
“Not only does Ethics and Responsibilities of Engineers address its title topics, but it also serves as a compelling testament to the field itself. While the writing style is accessible to emerging engineers, the oftentimes nuanced subject matter is critical to all engineers.”
—William Schnabel, P.E., PhD, Dean, University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Engineering and Mines
“Dr. Bloetscher’s book provides the engineering community with an awareness of the complex ethical challenges facing today’s engineers. Written with a focus on young professionals, it presents a clear vision with a historical perspective of the Code of Ethics applied to engineers for maintaining public trust and confidence. I highly recommend reading and sharing this publication with your fellow practitioners.”
—Albert Muniz, P.E., Vice President, Hazen and Sawyer
