Project 01: Code of Ethics

The University of Notre Dame College of Engineering Code of Ethics written by Mary Kate Nawalaniec, Emily Kearney, and myself focuses on ethical challenges that engineering students face at Notre Dame. Section 1 provides general guidelines for computer science and engineering ethics. We are expected to keep the user in mind and respect the privacy of others with regard to technology and design. The next section discusses the roles expected to be taken by an aspiring engineer. In the classroom, students should learn for the sake of learning, rather than to simply achieve good grades. Additionally, we must respect our professors, who dedicate their lives to education. Because students are in a learning community, mistakes and failures will always occur, so we have the responsibility to report issues immediately because they could have harmful effects on the end user. The third section focuses on collaboration of engineering students, which I believe to be the most important reminder to engineering students. Development and design in every engineering discipline require group collaboration. Ethically, we are expected to personally contribute to team work, acknowledge our weaknesses, and respect others. While doing so, although group projects, more often than not, become frustrating, we are required to learn from teamwork and collaboration. Finally, the last section requires the student to comply with the Code of Ethics.

Like any ethical document, this unique code of ethics has weaknesses. A document of this length cannot address every problem that might arise in the classroom or an academic setting. Some of the guidelines are open for interpretation. For example, 1.2 says: "Study for the sake of learning." Many can argue that certain classes won't affect our future careers or jobs, so do we always have to study for the sake of learning? Are there times where we can simply pass a class so we have extra time to study for a more relevant class? I am an Electrical Engineering major and was required to take an Engineering Science Elective. Is it unethical to get the work done in Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics to check off a box on the graduation list of requirements if it means better understanding Electronics and Semiconductors, which will apply to my future career? The Code of Ethics offers a list of guidelines, but discussion of specific ethical issues inevitably will arise.

To me, a Code of Ethics is useful because it allows students to remember why we are learning and our responsibilities as aspiring engineers. It's easy to complain about group projects, but if we remember our ethical duties, we can gain more than just frustration out of the situation. Most of the guidelines expressed in this Code of Ethics seem obvious, but refreshing the ideas allows us to remember the basics of ethical learning.

Our Code of Ethics is attached in the link below:

https://drive.google.com/a/nd.edu/file/d/0B67qe2XRTHtqUDJIYnhSQ0xQbm8/view?usp=sharing