The document discusses several ethics case studies related to engineering practice, including situations where an engineer discovers environmental violations but is asked not to report them, potential conflicts of interest, and refusing to sign completed work. It also covers topics like defining ethics, codes of ethics, the engineering registration process, and tips for presentations. The case studies pose ethical dilemmas and questions around engineers' obligations and responsibilities.

1. Post one (two page) two response
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Module Recourses
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Module –one: Discussion Title:
Setting the stage (Based on your prior knowledge, the lecture
and the resources provided, what does sustainability mean to
you? Review the Visualizing Sustainability blog; identify the
diagram that seems most relevant to you. Why? What do you
think is the difference between sustainability and environmental
compliance?)
Module –two: Discussion Title:
Systems thinking and Economics
1. Knowledge of Damaging Information
The State Pollution Control Authority advises the Bright
Corporation that it has 60 days to apply for a permit to
discharge manufacturing wastes into a body of water.
In order to convince the Authority that it will meet the
environmental standards, the Bright Corporation employs
Persaud, an engineer, to perform consulting engineering
services and submit a detailed report. After completing the
studies, Persaud concludes that the discharge from the plant will
violate environmental standards and that the corrective action
will be very costly to Bright. Persaud verbally notifies the
company, which terminates its contract with Persaud with full
payment for the services performed. It instructs Persaud not to
render a written report to the corporation.
A short time later, Persaud learns that the Authority has called a

2. public hearing, where the Bright Corporation will present data
to support its claim that the present plant discharge meets
minimum standards.
What, if anything, should Persaud do now? Is Persaud obliged
to report the violation of environmental standards to the
Authority? Does Persaud have any residual obligation to the
Bright Corporation that would stand in the way of doing so?
2. Conflict of Interest – Specifying Equipment of Company
Owned by Engineer
Engineer A is asked by a firm to prepare specifications for an
air compression system. Engineer A made the firm aware that
she is the President (and major shareholder) of a company that
manufactures and sells air compression systems and that she has
no problem with preparing a set of generic specifications.
Engineer A also provides the firm with four other manufacturers
that prepare air compression systems for bidding purposes, and
Engineer A did not include her company as one of the four
specified manufacturers.
The firm now wants to meet with Engineer A and a salesman
from her company. Engineer A indicated to the firm that it
might be a conflict-of-interest.
Would it be a conflict of interest for Engineer A to prepare a set
of specifications for an air compression system and then have
her company manufacture the air compression system under the
facts?
3. Refusing to sign/seal construction documents
Engineer A, employed by Firm X, left Firm X and goes to work
for Firm Y, a competitor. A project on which Engineer A was in
responsible charge was virtually completed, but Engineer A did
not sign or seal the construction documents before leaving Firm
X’s employment. Engineer B, a principal in Firm X requests
Engineer A to sign and seal the drawing. Engineer A refuses to
sign or seal the construction documents unless Firm X pays
Engineer A an additional fee.
Was it ethical for Engineer A to refuse to sign or seal the plans?
Was it ethical for Engineer B to ask Engineer A to sign and seal

3. the construction documents?
If additional work was required on the part of Engineer A,
would it be ethical for Engineer A to request additional
compensation?
Dr. Rick Clifft, P.E.
Professor of Civil Engineering
College of Engineering
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Structural
Transportation Systems
Geotechnical
Environmental
Water Resources
Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering

4. Industrial Structures (Offshore Platforms, Equipment Supports)
Buildings & Bridges (Steel, Concrete, Wood)
Demolition (Implosions, Explosives, Cleanups)
Transportation Systems
Highways (Route Layout/Design, Pavements)
Mass Transit (Subways, Monorails, Railroads)
Airports (Site Location, Fueling Systems, Pavements)
Geotechnical Engineering
Foundations (Industrial & Public Structures)
Earthen Structures (Water Dams, Slurry Walls)
Tunnels (Water, Utilities, Transportation)
Groundwater (Contaminant Modeling, Wells, Cleanup)
Water Resources
Reservoirs (Flood Controls, Stream Hydrology, Water Supply)
Drainage Systems (Urban Runoff, Retention Ponds, Pumping)
Canals (Structural Aspects, Water Supply, Transportation)
Irrigation Systems (Crops, Golf Courses, Treated Wastes)
Environmental Engineering
Design of Water/Wastewater Collection and Distribution
Water/Wastewater Treatment (Public & Industrial Systems)
Solid Waste Municipal Landfills/Incinerators
Hazardous/Toxic Wastes Treatment/Disposal/Cleanup

5. ENGINEERING ETHICS
Dr. Rick Clifft, P.E.
Professor of Civil Engineering
College of Engineering
ENGINEERING ETHICS
Percent of executives selecting the indicated professionals as
most ethical
Engineers are considered to be among the most ethical of all
professionals
Defining Ethics
What is Ethics? Is it the same as law? Not always. In some
cases, acting within the law may be considered unethical.
Ethics might be defined as the process each person uses to
make value-laden decisions. Components, attributes of morality,
might include:
Diligence (persistent effort)
Efficiency (acting/producing with minimum effort)
Equality (equal rights, political & social)
Equity (being just, impartial, and fair)
Freedom (act, speak, think without restraint)

6. Honesty (telling the truth)
Honor (esteem, respect, reputation)
Integrity (keep promises, fulfill expectations)
Defining Ethics …contd.
A persons individual values may be different and carry a
different weight than for someone else. We are brought up in
different social settings. So, an action one individual considers
ethical may not be considered ethical by another individual.
Ethics might be defined simply, as what you do when no one
is looking. Your reputation is what others think of you; your
ethics is what you really are.
Legal and Ethical
LEGAL ILLEGAL
1
2
3
4
ETHICAL
UNETHICAL
Quadrant 1- most engineering planning, design, construction
Quadrant-2- an engineer successfully designs a project outside
of his or her area of
competence
Quadrant 3- bid rigging or collusion to secure a contract (For
example: fraud)
Quadrant 4- violating a signed “secrecy” agreement with an

7. employer to “go public” on something believed to be
hazardous to the public
Codes of Ethics
A. All engineering societies and many businesses and
government entities developed and adopted codes of ethics to
address ambiguities. Over 850 different codes of ethics exist.
B. Purpose of Codes of Ethics:
Establish Goals
Identify Values
Identify Rights/Responsibilities of Members
Provide Guidance and Inspiration
Codes of Ethics …contd.
C. Engineering Codes of Ethics:
ASCE:
http://www.asce.org/leadership-and-management/ethics/code-of-
ethics
ASME:
http://www.asme.org/groups/educational-resources/
IEEE:
http://www.ieee.org/portal/pages/iportals/aboutus/ethics/code.ht
ml
NSPE:
http://www.nspe.org/ethics/codeofethics/index.html

8. CODES OF ETHICS …CONTD.
D. Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at
Illinois Institute of Technology:
http://ethics.iit.edu/ecodes lists over 850 codes of ethics
Government Code of Ethics:
http://ethics.iit.edu/codes/gov.html
Federal Code contains 14 principles of ethical conduct
Ex: Employees shall not use public office for private gain,
employee cannot accept gifts of more than $20
NSPE Code of Ethics
Six Fundamental Canons
Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public
Perform services only in areas of their competence
Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner
Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees
Avoid deceptive acts
Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and
lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness
of the profession

9. NSPE Code of Ethics …contd.
Rules of Practice for each of the fundamental canons,
examples:
Shall not reveal facts, data or information without prior consent
of the client or employer
Shall issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments on technical
matters that are paid for by interested parties unless revealing
the interest of the individuals involved
Shall not accept gifts from outside agents in connection with the
work for which they are responsible
Handling Ethical Issues
A. Online Ethics Center- National Academy of Engineering:
http://www.onlineethics.org
Ethics Help-Line (discussion groups)
Engineering Ethics Cases (discussions by NSPE Board)
Student Problems (problem situations for study)
Essays on Science & Engineering Ethics
Handling Ethical Issues contd.
A Practical Situation:
Assume that you are a college senior, and that you accept an
expense-paid trip to interview with an
engineering/manufacturing firm for potential employment upon
graduation
You accept the interview invitation knowing that you will not

10. accept the job even if it is offered
Is this a violation of “your” professional society’s code of
ethics? Explain and identify applicable elements of the code
Handling Ethical Issues …contd.
ASCE Canon No 6: Engineers shall act in such a manner as to
uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and dignity of the
engineering profession
National Association of College and Employers (NACE), see:
http://www.jobweb.org/ has code of ethics, also good site to
help with job search preparation, interviews, etc
PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION
Dr. Rick Clifft, P.E.
Professor of Civil Engineering
College of Engineering
Why Registration?
Mark of a Professional: The process demands an extra measure
of competence. Employers find registered engineers to be more
dedicated, have enhanced leadership and management skills.
Jobs: Employers recognize PE, more job opportunities exist.

11. Promotions: Some employers require PE for advancement
Money: PEs have significantly higher pay.
Credibility: PEs can consult in private practice. It’s the law.
Respect: Respect from other engineers as well as the public
Security: Moving from state to state, as well as
internationally
Steps for Registration
Engineering Degree: Most licensing boards require a bachelors
degree from a 4-year ABET accredited program.
FE Examination: 8-hr Fundamentals of Engineering Exam over
math, science and engineering courses, required for Senior
Design I.
Engineering Experience: After passing FE exam, you are an
Engineering Intern. You must complete four years of
progressive, acceptable engineering experience verified by a
PE.
PE Examination: 8-hr Practice of Engineering Exam over
practical applications, mostly design work, but also ethics
Proposed for those taking the PE exam in 2020. 30 hours past
the BS, or MS in Engineering. Thus, affects those graduating in
2016.
License Renewal
Annual renewal is required in most states, Arkansas renewal fee
is $40.
Continuing Education is also required in many states. Arkansas
requires 15 professional development hours (PDH’s) per year.

12. State Boards administer and enforce the laws in most states:
Review applicants
Set dates/administer testing
Sanctions for violations of laws by fines and loss of license
ORAL PRESENTATION
Dr. Rick Clifft, P.E.
Professor of Civil Engineering
College of Engineering
Presentation Types
Impromptu: Always avoid, no preparation
Memorized: Suitable only for tour guides & actors
Written: Suitable for politicians, graduations, etc.
Extemporaneous: Best for technical presentations, well prepared
and practices, not memorized or read
Contents
Introduction: Announce the subject, team members, scope and
plan of the talk
Body: Chronological approach, no more than 5 minutes per
topic, which should include:

13. Problem Statement (define, constraints, etc)
Alternative Evaluation and Final Choice
Description of the
Solution
(may involve several people)
Implementation Aspects (costs, safety, recommendations)
Presentation Tips
Visual Aids:
Must be simple, readable, well labeled
Use PowerPoint presentation software for slides
Use a pointer or laser light
Topical lists are good for you and the audience
Too many or irrelevant slides are distracting
Do not pass exhibits through the audience

14. Presentation Tips …contd.
Delivery:
Have the talk well planned and PRACTICE
Use index cards to help you (nervousness is temporary)
Establish eye contact frequently
Use a natural posture, do not pace around
Short pauses in delivery are good
Presentation Tips …contd.
Other Suggestions: Practice, Practice, Practice
Don’t use vague expressions
Give short, but complete answers to questions
Don’t make up an answer off the top of your head, it will be
wrong
Don’t make excuses and don’t argue with a questioner
Direct questions to the person who can best answer them

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