Master Course Description
No: EE 398
Title: INTRODUCTION TO PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
Credits: 1
Coordinator: Martin A. Afromowitz Professor, Electrical Engineering
Goals: To discuss some of the many issues beyond those covered in our technical courses that a newly-minted engineering professional needs to know in order to succeed and contribute to the best of his or her ability.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
Textbook: Professional Issues: a Guide for Undergraduate Engineering Students, by Martin A. Afromowitz, sold without royalties through the EE Store.
Reference Texts: None
Prerequisites by Topic: None
Topics:
Course Structure: The class meets for one hour each week for discussion of selected topics. A variety of reading assignments will amplify the issues under discussion, and short essays and/or web research may be assigned each week. A final paper will be assigned in lieu of a final exam.
Computer Resources: Students will respond to class assignments on a Catalyst website set up for the class.
Laboratory Resources: None
Outcome Coverage:
(F) An understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities. We discuss society’s expectations of a professional, the Code of Ethics established by the IEEE and its applicability to documented ethical and legal conflicts. (H)
(G) An ability to communicate effectively. The class is assigned short essays each week for homework, based on assigned readings or web-based research. The importance of effective communication in English is emphasized. The essays are assessed using a standard rubric. (H)
(H) The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental and societal context. We discuss several famous lapses of quality engineering practice, such as the Ford Pinto design flaw, which resulted from faulty economic analysis, and the Challenger disaster, which resulted from political pressure. (H)
(I) A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning.We discuss the half-life of technologies, and the need to maintain competence and sometimes completely reinvent oneself in order to advance one’s career. (H)
(J) Knowledge of contemporary issues. We discuss many non-technical contemporary issues that impact the engineering profession, such as changing patent laws, outsourcing and immigration policy. (H)
Prepared By: Martin A. Afromowitz
Date: 4 October 2012