Ge8076 Professional Ethics in Engineering
Ge8076 Professional Ethics in Engineering
Ge8076 Professional Ethics in Engineering
OBJECTIVE
To enable the students to create an awareness on Engineering Ethics and Human Values, to instil
Moral and Social Values and Loyalty and to appreciate the rights of others.
Morals, values and Ethics – Integrity – Work ethic – Service learning – Civic virtue – Respect
for others – Living peacefully – Caring – Sharing – Honesty – Courage – Valuing time –
Cooperation – Commitment – Empathy – Self confidence – Character – Spirituality –
Introduction to Yoga and meditation for professional excellence and stress management.
Senses of ‗Engineering Ethics„ – Variety of moral issues – Types of inquiry – Moral dilemmas –
Moral Autonomy – Kohlberg„s theory – Gilligan„s theory – Consensus and Controversy –
Models of professional roles - Theories about right action – Self-interest – Customs and Religion
– Uses of Ethical Theories.
Safety and Risk – Assessment of Safety and Risk – Risk Benefit Analysis and Reducing Risk -
Respect for Authority – Collective Bargaining – Confidentiality – Conflicts of Interest –
Occupational Crime – Professional Rights – Employee Rights – Intellectual Property Rights
(IPR) – Discrimination.
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TOTAL: 45 PERIODS
OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to apply ethics in society, discuss
the ethical issues related to engineering and realize the responsibilities and rights in the society.
TEXT BOOKS:
1. Mike W. Martin and Roland Schinzinger, ―Ethics in Engineering‖, Tata McGraw Hill, New
Delhi, 2003.
REFERENCES:
1. Charles B. Fleddermann, ―Engineering Ethics‖, Pearson Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 2004.
3. John R Boatright, ―Ethics and the Conduct of Business‖, Pearson Education, New Delhi,
2003
4. Edmund G Seebauer and Robert L Barry, ―Fundamentals of Ethics for Scientists and
Engineers‖, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2001.
5. Laura P. Hartman and Joe Desjardins, ―Business Ethics: Decision Making for Personal
Integrity and Social Responsibility‖ Mc Graw Hill education, India Pvt. Ltd.,New Delhi, 2013.
6. World Community Service Centre, ‗ Value Education„, Vethathiri publications, Erode, 2011.
Web sources:
1. www.onlineethics.org
2. www.nspe.org
3. www.globalethics.org
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7. What is meant by civic virtue and how is it related to respect for others? [Apr / May
2018]
Civic virtue is morality or a standard of righteous behavior in relationship to a citizen‟s
involvement in society. If we have civic virtue then we are respecting the entire society, for
example our parents, teachers, elders, college rules, traffic laws, family and cultural
traditions, other peoples‟ feelings and rights.
8. Define the term empathy and how is it related to Emotional Quotient? [Apr / May 2018]
The ability to imagine oneself in another‟s place and understand the others‟ feelings, desires,
ideas and actions. If a person having empathy then his emotional quotient will be always
above average. (Emotional Quotient means emotional intelligence often as represented by a score in a
standardized test)
9. Define moral values with suitable examples. [Nov / Dec 2020, Apr / May 2017, Apr /
May 2015]
Moral values reside both in the acts of a person chooses to do and in the results of
those acts on the character of the person. They are defined as the ideals and
principles that guide how people act.
Honesty, respect for others, loyalty, responsibility for personal actions. Generosity
and kindness are all examples of moral values
10. Define the term “ Service Learning” [Apr / May 2017]
Service learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community
services with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic
responsibility, and strengthen communities.
11. What are human values in engineering ethics? [Nov / Dec 2016]
Human values are basic moral values one ought to possess to live as a citizen or a person.
Typical human values are love, truth, right conduct, peace, non-violence, etc.
12. List out any two aspects of honesty. [Nov / Dec 2016]
Truthfulness – Meeting responsibilities concerning truth-telling
Trustworthiness – Meeting responsibilities concerning trust
13. What are the values? [May / Jun 2016]
A value is defined as a principle that promotes well-being or prevents harm. Example: Right
conduct, Peace, Truth, Love and Non-violence
14. What is meant by self-confidence and moral leadership? [Apr / May 2015, May / Jun
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Self-confidence is positive attitude, wherein the individual has some positive and realistic
view of himself, with respect to the situations in which one gets involved.
Moral leadership: When the leaders‟ goal is not only permissible but also morally valuable,
then it known as moral leadership.
15. Define „Professionalism‟. [Nov / Dec 2020, Apr / May 2015]
It is the status of a professional which implies certain attitudes or typical qualities that are
expected of a professional.
16. List the factors that enhance the self-confidence in a person. [Apr / May 2015]
Positive self-image
Your view to the world
Deal your mistakes by yourself
List your weakness and strength
Part - B
1. Write the need and importance of studying ethics and how far the study of ethics improves
the behavior of an individual and boosts the organization culture. [Apr / May 2021]
2. What is service learning? Discuss its role in caring and sharing in society with suitable
examples. [Nov/ Dec 2020, Nov / Dec 2018]
3. What is empathy? Discuss its role in the spiritual development for excellence in an
organization with suitable examples. [Nov / Dec 2018]
4. What is integrity? How integrity plays a major factor in work ethics? Discuss with suitable
examples. [Nov/ Dec 2020, Apr / May 2018]
5. What is spirituality? What are the spiritual traits to be developed for excellence in an
organization? Discuss with suitable examples. [Apr / May 2018]
6. Explain the scope and importance of professional ethics in Engineering. [Apr / May 2017]
7. Explain the role of Yoga and meditation in the field of professional excellence and stress
management. [Apr / May 2021, Nov/ Dec 2020, Apr / May 2019, Nov / Dec 2016, Apr /
May 2017]
8. Explain integrity and honesty in ethics. [Apr / May 2019, Nov / Dec 2016]
9. Explain character and spirituality and their importance in ethics. [May / Jun 2016]
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2. What are the general features of morally responsible engineers? [Apr / May 2021]
A conscientious commitment to live by moral values
A comprehensive perspective on relevant information
Unrestricted free-personal involvement in all steps of the project development
Be accountable for the results of the project
3. What are the uncertainties that occur in Model Design? [Apr / May 2019, Apr / May
2017]
The uncertainties may include uncertainties in the
(i) Design calculations
(ii) Exact properties of raw materials used
(iii) Constancies of materials processing and fabrication
(iv) Nature of working of final product
2. What is the Code of Ethics? [Apr / May 2019]
The primary aspect of codes of ethics is to provide the basic framework for ethical
judgment for a professional
The codes of ethics, also referred as codes of conduct, express the commitment to
ethical conduct shared by members of a profession. In other words, these codes
furnish common. Agreed-upon standards for professional conduct.
3. What are the advantages of codes of ethics? [Nov / Dec 2018]
Sets the right culture
Builds a good reputation
Attracts outstanding employees
Helps remain in compliance with laws and regulations
4. What are the limitations of standardized experimentation? [Nov / Dec 2018]
In standardized experiments there will be control group (used only when the project
is limited to laboratory experimentation)
“Informed consent” is not applicable in standardized experientation
5. What are the limitations of codes of ethics? [Apr / May 2021, May / Jun 2016, Apr /
May 2018]
General and vague wordings. Many statements are general in nature and hence
unable to solve all problems
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Not applicable to all situations. Codes are not scared, and need not be accepted
without criticism. Tolerance for criticism of the codes themselves should be allowed.
6. What are the merits of standardized experimentation? [Apr / May 2018]
Standardized experiments reduces the production costs
Reduces time
Quality is achieved easily
It helps the manufacturer, customers and the public in keeping competitiveness
7. What is meant by engineering experimentation? [Apr / May 2017]
The engineering experimentation involves human beings as experimental subjects. In fact,
clients and customers have more control. As they own the authority of that project. So here
the experimental subjects are out of the engineering experimenter‟s control, unlike standard
experiments.
8. How does the law facilitate ethics in engineering? [Apr / May 2017]
The laws can authoritatively establish reasonable minimal standards of professional
conduct
The laws can provide a self-interested motive for most of the people and corporations
to comply
The laws act a s protector of ethical engineers. That means, they serve as a powerful
support and defense to those who which to involve in ethical activities.
9. What is the need to view engineering projects as experimentation? [Nov / Dec 2016]
In engineering, each and every stage of product or process development experiments are
conducted. There may be many uncertainties at each stage. But engineers cannot afford to
delay projects until all the information is received. Thus the final outcome of an experiment
could be uncertain. That is why, engineering projects are viewed as experimentation.
10. Enumerate the roles of codes in ethics of profession. [Nov / Dec 2016]
Inspiration and Guidance
Deterrence and Discipline
Contributions to Public Image
Education and Mutual Understanding
11. Differentiate scientific experiments and engineering projects. [Apr / May 2021, May /
Jun 2016]
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12. Why engineers are considered as responsible experimenters? [Apr / May 2015]
o Engineering projects, like the standard experiments, are carried out in partial
uncertainties
o The final outcomes of engineering projects are also generally uncertain like those of other
experiments.
13. Define „informed consent‟. [Apr / May 2015]
The experimenters whose experiments involve human subjects have moral and legal obligations to
inform about all the relevant facts about the experiments to the person who participates in experiments.
(Hint: Informed consent is practiced in medical experimentation)
Part B
1. Write short notes on the following: (i) Employee rights (ii) Professional Rights (iii) Occupational
Crimes. [Nov/ Dec 2020]
2. Explain the characteristics of Morally Responsible Engineers. [Apr / May 2019]
3. Compare and contrast engineering experiments with standard experiments. [Nov / Dec 2018, Apr /
May 2018]
4. Discuss the models of research ethics with suitable examples. [Nov / Dec 2018]
5. What is research ethics? Discuss the models of research ethics with suitable examples. [Apr
/ May 2018]
6. Explain the Challenger space shuttle disaster. Discuss the violation of moral ethical and
professional codes of standards in it. Write a conclusion to avoid such disaster in future. [Nov /
Dec 2020, Apr / May 2015, Apr / May 2018]
7. What is the importance of codes of ethics? Explain in detail. [Apr / May 2021, Apr / May
2017]
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8. How can an engineer become a responsible experimenter? Explain in detail. Apr / May
2021, May / Jun 2016, Nov / Dec 2016, Apr / May 2017]
9. Explain in detail about balanced outlook on law. [Nov / Dec 2016]
10. Discuss on the roles played by the codes of ethics set by professional societies. [May / Jun
2016]
11. Explain how the codes of ethics guide an engineer in the professional behavior. [Apr / May
2019, Apr / May 2015]
Unit - IV: Safety, Responsibilities and Rights
Part - A
1. Define confidentiality. [Apr / May 2021]
Confidentiality means keeping the information on the employer and clients, as secrets. It is one of
the important aspects of team work.
2. State the industrial definition on safety. [Nov / Dec 2020]
A thing is safe with respect to a given person or group at a given time, if its risks were full known,
if those risks would be judged acceptable in light of settled value principles.
3. What is meant by Disaster? [Nov / Dec 2020]
A disaster is a result from the combination of hazard, vulnerability and insufficient capacity or
measures to reduce the potential chances of risk.
4. Differentiate Bribe from Gift. [Nov / Dec 2020]
Gifts are not bribes as long as they are gratitudes of smaller accounts. But bribes are illegal and
immoral because they are worth of substantial amounts.
Gifts may play a legitimate role in the normal conduct of business, whereas a bribe
influences the judgment.
5. What is Hired Gun? [Apr / May 2021, Nov / Dec 2020]
Hired gun refers to an expert who is biased and does not appear to be impartial. He / she adapts his
/ her expert evidence to the requirements of the party that calls him / her as a witness. A hired gun
expert is easily recognizable.
6. What is Professional Right?[Apr / May 2019]
Professional rights are the rights possessed by virtue of being professionals having special
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moral responsibilities.
Example:
o Right to exercise one‟s professional judgment on the basis of his conscience
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analyze the risk in a project and to determine whether the project should be carried out or not.
14. Define „collegiality‟. What are its elements? [Apr / May 2015]
Collegiality is the tendency to support and cooperate with the colleagues. It is a virtue essential
for the team work to the effective.
Part B
1. Define the concept of confidentiality in professional ethics. [Nov/ Dec 2020]
2. Discuss on the importance of Collective Bargaining. [Apr / May 2021, Nov/ Dec 2020, Apr
/ May 2019]
3. Explain the procedure in risk benefit analysis and discuss its role in reducing risks with suitable
examples. [Nov/ Dec 2020, Nov / Dec 2018]
4. Discuss the „faithful agent argument‟ and „public service argument‟ of collective with suitable
examples. [Nov / Dec 2018]
5. Discuss the testing strategies for safety with suitable examples. Mention the difficulties in assessing
the personal risks. [Apr / May 2018]
6. „Safety in a commodity comes with a price‟ – substantiate with explanation. Discuss how the
knowledge of risk is always better for safety with suitable examples. [Apr / May 2018]
7. Explain the Bhopal gas tragedy. Discuss the violation of moral, ethical and professional codes of
standards in it. Write conclusion to avoid such tragedy in future. [Apr / May 2015, Apr / May 2018]
8. Describe the concept of Risk-Benefit analysis and Fault free analysis with an example. [Nov/ Dec
2020, Apr / May 2015, Apr / May 2017]
9. Discuss in detail about the “Employee Rights” and its role in the organizations. [Apr / May
2019, Apr / May 2017]
10. Define the term Risk and Safety. How we, Engineers assess the safety? [Nov / Dec 2016]
11. Discuss Event Tree analysis with some practical example of risk analysis. [Nov / Dec 2016]
12. What are the factors that affect risk acceptability? What is the use of knowledge of risk
acceptance to engineer? [May / Jun 2016]
13. Discuss the significance of intellectual property rights. Also explain the legislation covering
IPR in India. [Apr / May 2021, Nov/ Dec 2020, May / Jun 2016]
14. Discuss the significance of loyalty and collegiality in team work. [Nov/ Dec 2020, Apr / May
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Unit - V: Global Issues
Part - A
1. Define appropriate technology. [Apr / May 2021]
Identification, transfer, and implementation of most suitable technology for a set of new
situations, is called appropriate technology.
2. What are the International rights listed by Donaldson? [Apr / May 2021]
Donaldson proposes standards for international institutions by which to protect fairness and freedom,
ownership of property, free speech, and minimum education and subsistence levels.
3. What is Global rule? [Nov / Dec 2020]
The term Global ethical rule refers to a set of common moral values and ethical standards which are
shared by the different faiths and cultures on Earth. These common moral values and ethical standards
constitute a humane ethic, or, the ethic of humanity.
4. What is CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)? [Apr / May 2019, Nov / Dec 2018] Corporate
social responsibility means that organizations have also ethical and societal responsibilities that
go beyond their economic responsibilities.
5. What is Environmental Ethics? [Apr / May 2021, Apr / May 2019]
Environmental ethics is the study to explore the ethical roots of the environmental movement and to
understand what ethics tells us about our responsibility to the environment.
6. What are the demerits of MNCs to host country? [Nov / Dec 2018]
Social and cultural disturbance
Loss of jobs for the home country, and loss or exploitation of natural resources,
political instability for the host countries
are some of the demerits of MNCs to host country
7. What are the advantages of MNCs to host country? [Apr / May 2018]
Inexpensive labour
Availability of natural resources
Conducive-tax atmosphere and
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Codes of conduct, also referred as codes of ethics, express the commitment to ethical conduct shared
by members of a profession. In other words, these codes furnish common, agreed- upon standards for
professional conduct.
Significance:
o A well-designed code of conduct is a foundation for an effective ethics and compliance
program.
o It is the core from which other policies and procedures are designed.
9. What do you mean by IPR? [Apr / May 2019, May / Jun 2016, Apr / May 2017] Intellectual
property (IP) is a property that results from mental labour. Intellectual property is the information and
original expression that derives its original value from creative ideas with a commercial value.
10. How is corporate social responsibility practiced? [Apr / May 2017]
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a management concept whereby companies integrate
social and environmental concerns to their business operations and interactions with their
stakeholders on a voluntary basis.
CSR is generally understood as being the way through which a company achieves a balance
of economic, environmental and social imperatives, while at the same time addressing the
expectation of shareholders and stakeholders.
11. What is meant by computer ethics? [Nov / Dec 2016]
Computer ethics is the study of ethical issues that are associated primarily with computing machines
and the computing profession.
12. What is moral leadership? [May / Jun 2016]
When the leaders‟ goal is not only permissible but also morally valuable, then it known as moral
leadership. In other works, moral leadership means employing morally permissible means to stimulate
groups to move toward morally desirable ends.
13. What is meant by globalization? [May / Jun 2016]
Globalization means integration of countries through commerce, transfer of technology, and exchange
of information and culture.
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Business ethics is concerned with truth and justice and has variety of aspects such as the expectation of
society, fair competition, advertising, public relations, social responsibilities, consumer autonomy, and
corporate behavior.
13. What does whistle blowing mean? [Nov / Dec, 2008]
Whistleblowing is defined as conveying information by an employee, on an important moral problem
to somebody in a position to take action on the problem. Further, this is done outside the
approved organizational channels.
Part - B
1. What is cyber crime? Discuss in detail the various cyber crimes in the context of Ten
Commandments of Computer Ethics. [Apr / May 2021]
2. Discuss in detail the concept of Business Ethics and Environmental Ethics in the context of
technological development and for the sustenance of sustainable development. [Apr / May
2021, Nov/ Dec 2020].
3. Develop a model code of conduct for Multinational Corporation which is employing mainly software
engineers. [Nov/ Dec 2020]
4. With various examples explain the various ethical issues faced by an consultant engineer.
How an engineer can create a good ethical climate in any industry. [Apr / May 2021 (Part
C)]
5. Explain the significance of Environmental Ethics for an Engineer by giving examples of
environmental issue. [Apr / May 2019 (Part C), Apr / May 2015]
6. Discuss the ethical role of engineers as consultants with suitable examples. [Apr / May 2018, Nov /
Dec 2018]
7. Discuss the ethical role of engineers as expert witness with suitable examples. [Nov/ Dec
2020, Nov / Dec 2018]
8. Discuss the ethical role of engineers in weapon development with suitable examples. [May / Jun
2016, Nov / Dec 2018 (Part C), Apr / May 2018]
9. Discuss in detail about the moral and ethical issues involved in use of computers. [Nov/ Dec
2020, Apr / May 2019, Apr / May 2017]
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10. Explain the role of engineers as consultant and expert witnesses. [Apr / May 2019, Apr / May
2017]
11. Explain in detail the various advantages and disadvantages of MNCs. [Nov / Dec 2016]
12. Discuss the scope and functions of corporate responsibility. [Nov / Dec 2016]
13. Justify Engineers as Expert witness and advisors with suitable examples. [May / Jun 2016]
14. Discuss the various global issues that have an impact on business. [Apr / May 2015]
COURSE OUTCOMES:
Course Name : GE 8076 – Professional Ethics Engineering
Year / Semester : IV / VIII
Year of Study : 2021 – 2022 (2017 R)
On completion of the course, the students will be able to
Course
Statement
Outcome
CO1 Describe the human values with regard to the individual life style for the society
CO4 Explain the engineering ethics based safety, responsibilities and rights
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MAPPING TABLE
CO PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 PO7 PO8 PO9 PO10 PO11 PO12 PSO PSO PSO
1 2 3
CO1 - - - - - - - 3 - - - 3 - - -
CO2 - - - - - - - 3 - - - 3 - - -
CO3 - - - - - - - 3 - - - 3 - - -
CO4 - - - - - - - 3 - - - 3 - - -
CO5 - - - - - - - 3 - - - 3 - - -
CO6 - - - - - - - 3 - - - 3 - - -
AVG - - - - - - - 3 - - - 3 - - -
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