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David Chesney
Explore unique case studies in engineering ethics. In this four-week course, you’ll examine different historical case studies and understand how they led to classic engineering failures.
Read more
Explore unique case studies in engineering ethics. In this four-week course, you’ll examine different historical case studies and understand how they led to classic engineering failures.
Read more
Explore unique case studies in engineering ethics. In this four-week course, you’ll examine different historical case studies and understand how they led to classic engineering failures.
Though each case is unique and has a distinct context, they all share common themes; a backstory, a disastrous event, a post-event with ramifications, and outcomes.
For each case, you’ll watch and hear video lectures and explore foundational literature. You’ll also have the opportunity to discuss the case in detail and check your knowledge through quizzes and reflections on your understanding of the case. This format will help you develop a working knowledge of ethical foundations.
Delve into four case studies, including the VW emissions scandal, the failure of the Denver airport baggage system, the fatal case of the Therac 25 radiation machine, and the software failure of the Ariane 5 rocket launch.
With each case, you’ll identify key aspects that led to the engineering failures and discuss the outcomes of the failures.
You’ll also explore the significance of each case and how they led to corrective actions.
Develop your knowledge of engineering alongside experts in the industry. The course will help you reflect on engineering as a design discipline and its impact on humans.
You’ll be guided by Dr. David Chesney, an expert in both industry and academics with 20 years of experience at General Motors Corporation and 20 years working at the University of Michigan. Dr. Chesney’s background is in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Computer Science and he is the Toby Teorey Collegiate Lecturer in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan College of Engineering.
This course will be particularly useful for engineering students and professionals, although no prior experience is required.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/6o5axr/ethics
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What's inside
Syllabus
Week 1
Welcome to the Ethics in Engineering Course! Let’s get to know each other, meet Dr. Chesney, and get an overview of what we will learn.
Read more
Syllabus
Week 1
Welcome to the Ethics in Engineering Course! Let’s get to know each other, meet Dr. Chesney, and get an overview of what we will learn.
Read more
Week 2
Welcome to our second case study! We start with an introduction to the DIA baggage handling catastrophe so that we ground our understanding in facts.
Week 3
Welcome to our third case study! We start with an introduction to the Therac 25 radiation machine malfunction so that we ground our understanding in facts.
Week 4
Welcome to our fourth case study! We start with an introduction to the Ariane 5 rocket launch disaster so that we ground our understanding in facts.
Good to know
Good to know
Know what's good ,
what to watch for , and
possible dealbreakers
Examines negative consequences of engineering failures, fostering responsible decision-making and ethical considerations
Led by Dr. David Chesney, renowned for his expertise in Mechanical, Biomedical, and Computer Engineering
Develops critical thinking through detailed case study analysis, enhancing learners' understanding of ethical implications in engineering
Covers diverse and relatable case studies, providing learners with a comprehensive perspective on ethical dilemmas in engineering
Suitable for students seeking to enhance their ethical decision-making skills in the engineering field
Course format combines video lectures and quizzes, fostering engagement and knowledge retention
Save this course
Save Ethics in Engineering to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Ethics in Engineering with these
activities:
Review Engineering Fundamentals
Show steps
Refresh your understanding of core engineering concepts to strengthen your foundation for the course.
Browse courses on
Thermodynamics
Show steps
-
Review textbooks or online resources on key engineering disciplines.
-
Solve practice problems.
-
Attend a refresher course or workshop.
Seek Mentorship from Industry Professionals
Show steps
Connect with experienced engineers who can provide guidance and share industry insights on ethical practices.
Show steps
-
Identify potential mentors who work in the field of engineering ethics.
-
Reach out to potential mentors and express your interest in learning from them.
-
Meet with your mentor regularly to discuss ethical challenges and best practices.
Read 'Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases' by Harris, Pritchard, and Rabins
Show steps
Gain insights into engineering ethics principles and real-world case studies.
View
Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read each chapter and take notes on key concepts.
-
Reflect on the ethical dilemmas presented in the case studies.
-
Participate in class discussions or forums on the book's content.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Case Study Analysis Drills
Show steps
Reinforce your critical thinking and problem-solving skills by analyzing engineering case studies.
Show steps
-
Identify key issues and failure points in the case study.
-
Analyze the ethical implications of the engineering decisions.
-
Propose alternative solutions or recommendations.
Participate in Ethics Discussion Groups
Show steps
Engage in discussions with peers to exchange perspectives and deepen your understanding of ethical issues.
Show steps
-
Join or start a study group focused on engineering ethics.
-
Prepare for discussions by reading assigned materials and considering ethical perspectives.
-
Actively participate in group discussions, sharing insights and listening to others' perspectives.
Develop an Engineering Ethics Poster
Show steps
Synthesize your understanding of ethical principles and create a visual representation of key concepts.
Show steps
-
Identify key ethical frameworks and concepts.
-
Design a visually appealing poster.
-
Summarize ethical principles and provide real-world examples.
-
Share your poster with peers for feedback.
Contribute to Open Source Projects on Ethics
Show steps
Get involved in open-source initiatives that promote ethical considerations in engineering.
Show steps
-
Identify open-source projects related to engineering ethics.
-
Review the project's documentation and codebase.
-
Identify areas where you can contribute your skills and knowledge.
-
Submit pull requests or report issues to contribute to the project.
Review Engineering Fundamentals
Show steps
Refresh your understanding of core engineering concepts to strengthen your foundation for the course.
Browse courses on
Thermodynamics
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review textbooks or online resources on key engineering disciplines.
- Solve practice problems.
- Attend a refresher course or workshop.
Seek Mentorship from Industry Professionals
Show steps
Connect with experienced engineers who can provide guidance and share industry insights on ethical practices.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify potential mentors who work in the field of engineering ethics.
- Reach out to potential mentors and express your interest in learning from them.
- Meet with your mentor regularly to discuss ethical challenges and best practices.
Read 'Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases' by Harris, Pritchard, and Rabins
Show steps
Gain insights into engineering ethics principles and real-world case studies.
View
Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read each chapter and take notes on key concepts.
- Reflect on the ethical dilemmas presented in the case studies.
- Participate in class discussions or forums on the book's content.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Case Study Analysis Drills
Show steps
Reinforce your critical thinking and problem-solving skills by analyzing engineering case studies.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify key issues and failure points in the case study.
- Analyze the ethical implications of the engineering decisions.
- Propose alternative solutions or recommendations.
Participate in Ethics Discussion Groups
Show steps
Engage in discussions with peers to exchange perspectives and deepen your understanding of ethical issues.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Join or start a study group focused on engineering ethics.
- Prepare for discussions by reading assigned materials and considering ethical perspectives.
- Actively participate in group discussions, sharing insights and listening to others' perspectives.
Develop an Engineering Ethics Poster
Show steps
Synthesize your understanding of ethical principles and create a visual representation of key concepts.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify key ethical frameworks and concepts.
- Design a visually appealing poster.
- Summarize ethical principles and provide real-world examples.
- Share your poster with peers for feedback.
Contribute to Open Source Projects on Ethics
Show steps
Get involved in open-source initiatives that promote ethical considerations in engineering.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify open-source projects related to engineering ethics.
- Review the project's documentation and codebase.
- Identify areas where you can contribute your skills and knowledge.
- Submit pull requests or report issues to contribute to the project.
Career center
Learners who complete Ethics in Engineering will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Software Engineer
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software systems. This course may be useful in helping you learn how to identify and avoid engineering failures, which can be critical to success in this role. Additionally, the course can help you develop your knowledge of engineering ethics, which can be important for making decisions that are in the best interest of the public.
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
A Mechanical Engineer designs and builds mechanical systems. This course may be useful in helping you learn how to identify and avoid engineering failures, which can be critical to success in this role. Additionally, the course can help you develop your knowledge of engineering ethics, which can be important for making decisions that are in the best interest of the public.
Chemical Engineer
Chemical Engineer
A Chemical Engineer designs and operates chemical plants and processes. This course may be useful in helping you learn how to identify and avoid engineering failures, which can be critical to success in this role. Additionally, the course can help you develop your knowledge of engineering ethics, which can be important for making decisions that are in the best interest of the public.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineer
An Environmental Engineer designs and builds systems to protect the environment. This course may be useful in helping you learn how to identify and avoid engineering failures, which can be critical to success in this role. Additionally, the course can help you develop your knowledge of engineering ethics, which can be important for making decisions that are in the best interest of the public.
Quality Assurance Manager
Quality Assurance Manager
A Quality Assurance Manager plans and executes quality assurance programs to ensure that products and services meet quality standards. This course may be useful in helping you learn how to identify and avoid engineering failures, which can be critical to success in this role. Additionally, the course can help you develop your knowledge of engineering ethics, which can be important for making decisions that are in the best interest of the public.
Petroleum Engineer
Petroleum Engineer
A Petroleum Engineer designs and operates oil and gas wells. This course may be useful in helping you learn how to identify and avoid engineering failures, which can be critical to success in this role. Additionally, the course can help you develop your knowledge of engineering ethics, which can be important for making decisions that are in the best interest of the public.
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical Engineer
A Biomedical Engineer designs and builds medical devices and systems. This course may be useful in helping you learn how to identify and avoid engineering failures, which can be critical to success in this role. Additionally, the course can help you develop your knowledge of engineering ethics, which can be important for making decisions that are in the best interest of the public.
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineer
A Civil Engineer designs and builds infrastructure projects. This course may be useful in helping you learn how to identify and avoid engineering failures, which can be critical to success in this role. Additionally, the course can help you develop your knowledge of engineering ethics, which can be important for making decisions that are in the best interest of the public.
Nuclear Engineer
Nuclear Engineer
A Nuclear Engineer designs and operates nuclear power plants. This course may be useful in helping you learn how to identify and avoid engineering failures, which can be critical to success in this role. Additionally, the course can help you develop your knowledge of engineering ethics, which can be important for making decisions that are in the best interest of the public.
Electrical Engineer
Electrical Engineer
An Electrical Engineer designs and builds electrical systems. This course may be useful in helping you learn how to identify and avoid engineering failures, which can be critical to success in this role. Additionally, the course can help you develop your knowledge of engineering ethics, which can be important for making decisions that are in the best interest of the public.
Manufacturing Engineer
Manufacturing Engineer
A Manufacturing Engineer plans and oversees the production of products. This course may be useful in helping you learn how to identify and avoid engineering failures, which can be critical to success in this role. Additionally, the course can help you develop your knowledge of engineering ethics, which can be important for making decisions that are in the best interest of the public.
Systems Engineer
Systems Engineer
A Systems Engineer designs, develops, and integrates complex systems. This course may be useful in helping you learn how to identify and avoid engineering failures, which can be critical to success in this role. Additionally, the course can help you develop your knowledge of engineering ethics, which can be important for making decisions that are in the best interest of the public.
Design Engineer
Design Engineer
A Design Engineer designs and develops products, systems, or components. This course may be useful in helping you learn how to identify and avoid engineering failures, which can be critical to success in this role. Additionally, the course can help you develop your knowledge of engineering ethics, which can be important for making decisions that are in the best interest of the public.
Engineering Manager
Engineering Manager
An Engineering Manager plans, organizes, and controls the operations within an engineering or technical department. This course may be useful in helping you learn how to identify and avoid engineering failures, which can be critical to success in this role. Additionally, the course can help you develop your knowledge of engineering ethics, which can be important for making decisions that are in the best interest of the public.
Product Safety Manager
Product Safety Manager
A Product Safety Manager develops and implements product safety programs, and ensures that products meet safety regulations. This course may be useful in helping you learn how to identify and avoid engineering failures, which can be critical to success in this role. Additionally, the course can help you develop your knowledge of engineering ethics, which can be important for making decisions that are in the best interest of the public.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/6o5axr/ethics
Reading list
We've selected seven books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Ethics in Engineering.
Provides a comprehensive overview of engineering ethics. It covers topics such as the nature of engineering, the ethical responsibilities of engineers, and the ethical implications of engineering decisions.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the ethical issues surrounding the use of information technology. It covers topics such as privacy, intellectual property, and the digital divide.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the ethical issues surrounding the use of information and communication technologies. It covers topics such as privacy, intellectual property, and the digital divide.
Provides a practical guide to ethics in engineering practice. It covers topics such as the ethical responsibilities of engineers, the ethical implications of engineering decisions, and the ethical challenges of engineering practice.
Save
Provides a practical guide to ethics in engineering practice. It covers topics such as the ethical responsibilities of engineers, the ethical implications of engineering decisions, and the ethical challenges of engineering practice.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the ethical issues surrounding the use of technology in the environment. It covers topics such as the ethical implications of environmental engineering, the ethical challenges of sustainable development, and the ethical responsibilities of engineers in protecting the environment.
Save
Provides a collection of essays on ethical issues in engineering. The essays cover topics such as the ethics of technology, the ethics of engineering design, and the ethics of engineering practice.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/6o5axr/ethics
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Effort
13 Hours
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Michigan
Instructor
David Chesney
Language
English
Good to know
Examines negative consequences of engineering failures, fostering responsible decision-making and ethical considerations
Led by Dr. David Chesney, renowned for his expertise in Mechanical, Biomedical, and Computer Engineering
Develops critical thinking through detailed case study analysis, enhancing learners' understanding of ethical implications in engineering
Covers diverse and relatable case studies, providing learners with a comprehensive perspective on ethical dilemmas in engineering
Suitable for students seeking to enhance their ethical decision-making skills in the engineering field
Course format combines video lectures and quizzes, fostering engagement and knowledge retention
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