Fall 2021 

TTh  9:30-10:15   

ARMS 1109 

 

3 cr. Prereq: Junior or senior standing in the College of Engineering.   

Instructor: Prof. Matthew Krane

 

MSE 48900 is approved to count as a Tech Elective for AAE students.

 

The practice of engineering allows us many opportunities to aid our society and the individuals in it.  However, it also presents many situations in which an engineer can do harm through incompetence, malice, or inaction. The purpose of this course is to provide a venue where students can learn and discuss the application of ethics in their work environments. While we will discuss a few well-known ethical lapses in the engineering profession, this course will focus on the day-to-day practice of engineering. We will consider commonly faced ethical problems and ways to find reasonable solutions by application of ethical theory. There will be an emphasis on making logical arguments, considering opposing points of view, and decision-making. 

 

Several short essays will be assigned, and there will be a midterm and a final exam. Questions about course content may be addressed to Prof. Krane (krane@purdue.edu). 

 

Course can be used as a support area elective in MSE. It might be used as a technical, unrestricted, free or general education elective in other engineering majors. Students should discuss particulars with their undergraduate advisors.