College of Engineering and Architecture Computer Engineering
CpE Laws and Professional Practice Responsible Engineering What we do,
matters a great deal Public health at stake
Environmental impact
Accidents are costly Minimal legal standards
Acknowledgement of fault Above and beyond call of duty
CASE STUDIES Engineering ethics is oftentimes best explained through the use of case studies. Case studies allow examples of good and bad decision making in a real-world context.
Case Study #1: Credit for Engineering Work Engineer A is designing abridge as part of an elevated highway system. Engineer Bis asked to help with the design and helps design critical elements of the bridge. Engineer A enters the bridge design into a
national competition and wins, but fails to credit Engineer B for his/her part in the design.
Question: Was it ethical for Engineer A to fail to give credit to Engineer B for his/her part in the design
Code of Ethics References Section 1.3.: Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements or testimony. They shall include all relevant and pertinent
information in such reports, statements or testimony. Section 111.3.: Engineers shall avoid all conductor practice which is likely to discredit the profession or deceive the public. Section a Engineers shall not accept financial or other considerations, including free engineering designs, from material or equipment suppliers for specifying their product. Section IlI. la Engineers shall, whenever possible, name the person or persons who maybe individually
responsible for designs, inventions, writings, or other accomplishments.
College of Engineering and Architecture Computer Engineering
CpE Laws
and Professional Practice Discussion: ― Basic to engineering ethics is the responsibility to issue statements in an objective and truthful manner. The concept of providing credit for engineering work to those to whom credit is due is fundamental to that responsibility. This is particularly the case where an engineer retains the services of other individuals because the engineer may not possess the education, experience and expertise to perform the required services fora client. While each individual case must be understood based upon the particular facts involved, we believe that Engineer A had an ethical obligation to his client,
to Engineer B, as well as to the public to take reasonable steps to identify all parties responsible for the design of the bridge.
Conclusion: It was unethical for Engineer A to fail to give credit to Engineer B for his/her part in the design.
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