Teaching of engineering ethics
The decisions and actions of engineers have a profound impact on the world we live in, and society at large. Making a clear and public commitment to operating with integrity and honesty is essential to create a greater level of trust and confidence, and a positive perception of the engineering profession.
Statement of Ethical Principles, The Royal Academy of Engineering.
The increase in interest in engineering ethics is leading to a demand for ethical aspects of engineering to be included within all undergraduate engineering programmes, and it is therefore likely that there will be a mandatory element of engineering ethics at all levels, as well as optional elements:
Evidence has shown that the introduction of engineering ethics as a significant theme in the curriculum provides distinctive added value. The curriculum is enriched and made more relevant to the practice of engineering.
An Engineering Ethics Curriculum Map, Royal Academy of Engineering and Engineering Professors’ Council.
The Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied CETL (IDEA CETL) at the University of Leeds, in partnership with the Engineering Subject Centre and the engCETL at Loughborough University, has developed a series of case studies to assist with teaching ethics to engineering students.
Esat Alpay, Imperial College London, has developed web pages and list of recommended further reading as part of an Engineering Subject Centre Mini-Project 'Student-inspired activities for the teaching and learning of engineering ethics'.
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