ELECTRICAL AND MICROELECTRONIC
ENGINEERING
79 Lomb Memorial Dr., Rochester, NY 14623-5603
EEEE 381 – Electronics I
Lab #0: Engineering Ethics
OVERVIEW: We will be examining engineering ethics through discussion of three case studies.
The class will be divided into three approximately equal-sized groups. Each group will be
assigned one case which they will analyze with respect to ethics, broader impacts, and team
behavior. They will orally present their analysis to the class, who will challenge their arguments
and ultimately assess the quality of their evaluation / presentation of the case.
PRELAB: Prior to lab you must familiarize yourself with this document, the IEEE code of ethics
(Appendix A) and the evaluation sheets (Appendices B and C). A review of the ethical decision
making process discussed in FYE and the co-op orientation is recommended. The cases to be
evaluated will be provided in lab. Carefully review questions 1-3 in the Appendix C
evaluation sheet to ensure your analysis of each case addresses these issues upon which you
will be scored.
LAB: The class will be given 30 minutes at the start of lab so each student can read each case
study and identify at least two key ethical considerations which they feel should be addressed in
the analysis. Each student will document these on the form in Appendix B, and submit to the TA
at the end of this 30 minute review period. This will be used as part of the participation
component of the student’s grade.
Each team will then be assigned one of the three cases, and will be given 15 minutes to prepare
their analysis and presentation strategy. This is a group activity and all team members are
expected to actively participate in this discussion / planning phase.
The first team (Case Study 1) will then have 10 minutes to present their analysis to the class.
The rest of the class, the TA, and the faculty instructor will serve as evaluators. Following the
case presentation, they will then have 10 minutes to ask questions of the presenting team, and
challenge their analysis. Each evaluator will fill out an evaluation form (Appendix C) for the
presenting team and will submit to the TA at the end of the case discussion.
The same process will be followed for Case Study 2 and 3.
Grading: Your participation in this assignment is mandatory. It will be counted as a laboratory
assignment with equal weight to all other laboratory assignments. Failure to participate will
result in zero points.
Student evaluation sheet scores will be tabulated and averaged for each team. The overall grade
for this assignment will be calculated for each student as follows:
Average student evaluation sheet score for the team
Average faculty instructor / TA score for the team
Student participation as determined by instructor and TA
40%
40%
20%
Electronics I – EEEE 381 — Lab #0: Engineering Ethics — Rev 10.0 (8/9/13)
Page 1 of 4
Rochester Institute of Technology
Teaching Assistants — Office: 09-3248
ELECTRICAL AND MICROELECTRONIC
ENGINEERING
79 Lomb Memorial Dr., Rochester, NY 14623-5603
APPENDIX A: IEEE CODE OF ETHICS
We, the members of the IEEE, in recognition of the importance of our technologies in affecting
the quality of life throughout the world, and in accepting a personal obligation to our profession,
its members and the communities we serve, do hereby commit ourselves to the highest ethical
and professional conduct and agree:
1. to accept responsibility in making decisions consistent with the safety, health and welfare
of the public, and to disclose promptly factors that might endanger the public or the
environment;
2. to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever possible, and to disclose them to
affected parties when they do exist;
3. to be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based on available data;
4. to reject bribery in all its forms;
5. to improve the understanding of technology, its appropriate application, and potential
consequences;
6. to maintain and improve our technical competence and to undertake technological tasks
for others only if qualified by training or experience, or after full disclosure of pertinent
limitations;
7. to seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work, to acknowledge and correct
errors, and to credit properly the contributions of others;
8. to treat fairly all persons regardless of such factors as race, religion, gender, disability,
age, or national origin;
9. to avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious
action;
10. to assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional development and to support them
in following this code of ethics.
Approved by the IEEE Board of Directors
February 2006
Electronics I – EEEE 381 — Lab #0: Engineering Ethics — Rev 10.0 (8/9/13)
Page 2 of 4
Rochester Institute of Technology
Teaching Assistants — Office: 09-3248
ELECTRICAL AND MICROELECTRONIC
ENGINEERING
79 Lomb Memorial Dr., Rochester, NY 14623-5603
APPENDIX B: KEY ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Student Name:_______________________________
Each student will identify a minimum of two key ethical considerations which they feel should
be part of the analysis for each case. Enter them for each case below and submit to the TA prior
to the start of the team analysis portion of the lab.
Case #1
Case #2
Case #3
Electronics I – EEEE 381 — Lab #0: Engineering Ethics — Rev 10.0 (8/9/13)
Page 3 of 4
Rochester Institute of Technology
Teaching Assistants — Office: 09-3248
ELECTRICAL AND MICROELECTRONIC
ENGINEERING
79 Lomb Memorial Dr., Rochester, NY 14623-5603
APPENDIX C: EVALUATION SHEET
Evaluator:________________________
Team #:
Student name
Participation comments
1. Did the team integrate basic criteria for ethical decision making (harm, publicity, reciprocity) in
their analysis and cover all important ethical dimensions of the case?
0-10 pts
0 = No process or criteria were applied to the analysis.
1-3 = Serious deficiencies in use of criteria.
4-6 = Significant dimensions are missing or poorly covered.
7-9 = Most dimensions are present and well supported with criteria analysis.
10 = All dimensions present and well supported with criteria analysis.
2. Did the team demonstrate an understanding of ethical responsibilities and conduct within a
team environment as it relates to the case?
0-10 pts
0 = Ethical responsibilities and conduct within a team not addressed.
1-3 = Serious deficiencies in understanding of ethical responsibilities.
4-6 = Significant dimensions of ethical responsibility and conduct relevant to the
case are missing or poorly covered.
7-9 = Most dimensions are present and well supported with discussion.
10 = All dimensions present and explained appropriately.
3. Did the team illustrate an understanding of the broader impacts of the engineering decisions
presented in the case?
0-10 pts
0 = Broader impacts not addressed.
1-3 = Serious deficiencies in understanding of broader impacts.
4-6 = Significant dimensions of broader impacts relevant to the case are missing
or poorly covered.
7-9 = Most dimensions are present and well supported with discussion.
10 = All dimensions present and explained appropriately.
Final Score = ____ / 30
Electronics I – EEEE 381 — Lab #0: Engineering Ethics — Rev 10.0 (8/9/13)
Page 4 of 4
Rochester Institute of Technology
Teaching Assistants — Office: 09-3248