Ethics in Engineering & Science Online Course

Investigate the ethical tools and philosophical foundation necessary for the engineer and scientific professional to judge right actions from wrong actions.

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About the Ethics in Engineering & Science

Ethics is the philosophical discipline that asks: “what actions should we perform?” In this course, we will investigate the ethical tools and philosophical foundation necessary for the engineer and scientific professional to judge right actions from wrong actions. Ethics is not about following rules but about understanding where “right” and “wrong” come from, in order to arrive at one’s own ethical standard for choice and action. Therefore, we will understand where the scientific professional’s duty derives from and how to use it as a guide for action. Upon establishing a groundwork of ethical tools and frameworks, we will turn to practical case studies in an attempt to understand the many variables at play in any given scientific activity. As we will see, to act ethically we must take a step back and question our actions from the ground up. In this course, you will receive the background and tools necessary to judge right from wrong, while thinking critically about where these tools come from to begin with. Upon completion, students will be able to:

• Articulate different ethical theories and their application to scientific practice.
• Explain what it means to be an “ethical professional” and why it is important.
• Identify different forms of ethical dilemmas, with scientifically relevant examples.
• Determine a variety of possible actions and outcomes for a given situation and identify a variety of tools that aid in trying to understand which is “right.”
• Understand the code of ethics for engineering and the sciences and apply them.
• Exercise deeper and sharper critical thinking skills.

This course is for budding scientists, engineers, researchers, mathematicians, healthcare professionals, philosophers, and any other student curious about what it means to ethically apply our thinking through practice in the world.

Students have 3-9 months to complete 12 lessons and a final project designed to focus your study of Ethics in Engineering and Science, and to assist you in achieving the course learning objectives/outcomes. You will work through a combination of required readings, view captioned videos, and complete quizzes at the end of each lesson. Lesson topics include:

• What is Ethics?
• What is Science?
• Ethics & Professionalism
• Moral Reasoning & Code of Ethics
• Moral Frameworks
• Engineering as Social Experimentation
• Commitment to Safety
• Workplace Responsibilities and Rights
• Truth and Truthfulness
• Computer Ethics
• Environmental Ethics
• Global Justice & Code of Ethics for Engineers

Required Textbook and Materials

Introduction to Engineering Ethics, by Mike Martin & Roland Schinzinger, 2nd edition. ISBN 978-0072483116.

How will the course appear on my transcript?

You may enroll at any time and have up to 9 months to complete this online course. The credits earned will be recorded on your UND transcript based on the date you registered for the course. It will appear on your transcript in the same way as a course taken during a regular semester. There is no indication that the course was taken online or that you completed it at your own pace. 

Why Take Online Classes at UND?

Here are a few reasons why you should take an online enroll anytime course at UND:

• Great customer service – Our registration team is ready to answer questions quickly so you can focus on your coursework.
• Affordable – UND's enroll anytime courses are priced at North Dakota's affordable, in-state tuition rate.
• Accredited – UND is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
• Easily transfer credits – Transferring credits is always at the discretion of the institution to which the credits are being transferred. In general, credits from schools/universities that are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission transfer to other regionally accredited institutions. UND's online courses appear on your UND transcript in the same way as other courses.

Flexible 100% Online Course

You'll take this online course at your own pace. Some students thrive in this environment, while other students may struggle with setting their own deadlines. If you have successfully taken an independent study or correspondence course previously, UND’s enroll anytime courses may be right for you. Still not sure? Take our online quiz to help determine if online enroll anytime courses are right for you.

Course information including tuition, technology requirements, textbooks, lessons and exams is subject to change without notice.