Professional Ethics in Engineering, Part 1: Professionalism Michael C. Loui Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign September 2008

What is engineering? Your ideas here!

Your ideas here!

What is engineering? Engineering is the profession in which knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind . – Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

Engineering is the profession in which knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind . – Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

What is a profession? Examples of professions: Physician, lawyer, engineer, others? Examples of non-professions: Plumber, fashion model, sales clerk, others? What distinguishes professions from other occupations? Your ideas here!

Examples of professions:

Physician, lawyer, engineer, others?

Examples of non-professions:

Plumber, fashion model, sales clerk, others?

What distinguishes professions from other occupations?

Your ideas here!

What are characteristics of professions? Special knowledge and intellectual skills Formal education, often graduate degree Professional authority, judgment, peer review Community sanction, accreditation, licensing Professional associations; in engineering, AIAA, AIChE, ASCE, ASME, IEEE, …

Special knowledge and intellectual skills

Formal education, often graduate degree

Professional authority, judgment, peer review

Community sanction, accreditation, licensing

Professional associations; in engineering, AIAA, AIChE, ASCE, ASME, IEEE, …

Why do professionals have special ethical responsibilities? Professionals have clients, not customers (what is the difference?) Clients must trust professionals Profession serves a public good Codes of ethics: special responsibilities of professionals

Professionals have clients, not customers (what is the difference?)

Clients must trust professionals

Profession serves a public good

Codes of ethics: special responsibilities of professionals