Course Title: Engineering Ethics

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Engineering Ethics

Credit Points: 6.00

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
OENG1031	City Campus	Undergraduate	120H Civil, Environmental & Chemical Engineering	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor John Brumley

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99252379

Course Coordinator Email: john.brumley@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 10.12.01

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Final or penultimate year of program

Course Description

• Mode of Delivery: Face–to–face intense mode over 3 full days.

The course is designed to encourage students to recognise and reconsider their assumptions and attitudes relating to human impacts on the environment. Different perspectives arising from historical studies and from varying contemporary world views will be analyzed, e.g., with regard to the polarization of views in social attitudes to environmental issues; the connection between attitude and action will be explored and students will be equipped to make personal decisions relating to courses of action involving environmental changes and to take part in resolution of conflicts in organizations.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

The engineering profession in Australia aims to facilitate its practice for the common good based on values of, ethical behaviour, competent performance, innovative practice, engineering excellence, equality of opportunity, social justice and sustainable development.

This course integrates these values at a senior level so that on successful completion you will be able to demonstrate a professional competency embracing all these values with a specific focus on ethical behaviour and a sustainability ethic. You will be able to demonstrate your ability both orally and in writing, individually and in group situations.

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
LO1: Analyze assumptions and attitudes relating to human impacts on the environment.
LO2: Explain the need for an understanding of ethics in professional organizations.
LO3: Define and explain the meaning of relevant terms and concepts.
LO4: Evaluate complex environmental issues from various ethical perspectives.

Overview of Learning Activities

• Participate in class discussions and presentations.
• Read and reflect on the material presented from the course notes and other relevant references.
• Complete the written assignment and group presentation.
• Participate in the peer evaluation of the group presentations.

Overview of Learning Resources

Ethics and the Professional, J.S. Buckeridge, 2002.

Overview of Assessment

Written examination of 2 hours duration (closed-book).
• Value: 50%
• Due date: end of semester 1
• Criteria: demonstrated achievement of learning outcomes 1-4
• Feedback: grade

Written assignment.
• Value: 25%
• Due date: TBA
• Criteria: demonstrated achievement of learning outcomes 1 and 4
• Return date: TBA
• Feedback: mark and comments

Group presentation.
• Value: 25%
• Due date: TBA
• Criteria: demonstrated achievement of learning outcomes 1 and 4
• Feedback: mark based on staff and peer assessment and verbal comments