An engineering student

An engineering student will not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do. __________________________________

Rules of thumb:

1. Does this action attempt to deceive anyone or allow anyone to be deceived? Handing in or using

someone else’s work in electronic or any other form is deceiving my instructor. Grades are assigned to assess my grasp of a concept or skill for future use. If I choose to evade the evaluation or grading process in this way I will deceive my instructor, but I will also deceive my future employer, the clients who will depend on my engineering expertise, and the general public.

2. Does this action result in an undue advantage to which I would otherwise not be entitled? 3. Would I be satisfied by the outcome if I were on the receiving end of this action?

Embedding Ethics into an Engineering Curriculum

Science and Engineering Ethics, Volume 10, Issue 2, 2004 375

As a part of the introduction to the honor code we present a short case study and involve students in using the “rules of thumb” to evaluate the case study. The case study features a temptation to copy and share electronic data – a temptation that we know will occur in the first course. In this way we are able to address a major problem that we have observed in the past and we are able to show students how such behavior violates every one of the “rules of thumb” that are printed on their laminated cards. We can also discuss with the students how this type of copying destroys the integrity of the evaluation process and ultimately destroys the academic environment. Using this case study (tied to the first course) does two important things. First, it allows us to demonstrate how the card can be used in this class; second, it allows us to clearly tell students what our expectations are in the area of individually prepared work that is presented for evaluation.

FIGURE 2: Spirit of the Honor Concept – as it appears on the inside of the double

card into which the laminated Honor Code card is placed.

The Co-op Program The Padnos School of Engineering (PSE) has a mandatory co-op program. All students apply for secondary admission to the school after completing the engineering fundamentals. This typically occurs at the end of the sophomore year. At that point students interview for co-op positions and are placed with a company beginning with the summer preceding their junior year. They then alternate full-time work and school semesters on a year-around schedule to finish the program at the end of the summer in the senior year with a full year (3 semesters) of work experience. The entire program increases a sense of professionalism as our students begin their work experience as engineers. It also offers a golden opportunity to teach ethics in the context of professionalism.

The Spirit of the Honor Concept The Honor Concept is way of life that affects every part of life – rather than a set of regulations for which violators will be punished. It should extend to all areas of an engineer’s life – personal as well as professional because the habits of the mind (such as integrity or honesty) that rule one area also tend to rule others – especially when under stress. The Honor Concept is pro-active rather than re-active; its main goal is not to punish but to build the level of trust-worthiness or integrity of every member of the engineering community. Students must be trained in the Honor Concept as an essential part of their preparation to practice engineering in an ethical manner. Application: At all times I should consciously do the right thing because it is the right thing to do and not out of fear of punishment. If I, as an engineer, cannot be trusted, no amount of skill or knowledge will be useful to others. Because of the level of public trust placed in engineers, the Honor Concept is absolutely essential to the engineering profession. If I cannot be trusted, I also cannot be tolerated as a member of the professional community of engineers.

Signature/date: _______________________________

S. T. Fleischmann

376 Science and Engineering Ethics, Volume 10, Issue 2, 2004