ENGR 4109 Senior Seminar

Professor Miqdadi
UT at Tyler
Houston Engineering Center

Lecture 1
Professionalism
Engineers

as professionals
Engineering ethics and obligations

What is Professionalism?

Dressing nice?
Looking good?
Having a degree and being educated?
Having a license / certification?
Being a member of professional associations?
Having high social prestige?

The skill, good judgment, and polite

behavior that is expected from a person
who is trained to do a job
well (Merriam Webster)

Engineers are Professionals

A

professional is a member of a profession

(earns his/her living from a specified activity)
Professionals get education and training that
prepare them with the particular knowledge
and skills necessary to perform the role of
that profession.
Professionals are subject to strict codes of
ethics and obligations.
Professionals act in professional manner.

Professionalism encompasses a
number of different attributes
1) Specialized Knowledge: professionals have
worked in a serious, thoughtful and
sustained way to master the specialized
knowledge needed to succeed in their
fields; and that they keep this knowledge upto-date, so that they can continue to deliver
the best work possible.

2) Competency (the ability to do something

successfully or efficiently):
Professionals get the job done. They're
reliable, and they keep their promises. They
don't make excuses, but focus on finding
solutions.

3) Honesty and Integrity: They keep their

word, and they can be trusted. They never
compromise their values. They are humble:
if a job falls outside their scope of
expertise, they're not afraid
to admit this. They ask for
help when they need it,
and they're willing to
learn from others.

4) Accountability: Professionals hold

themselves accountable for their thoughts,
words, and actions, especially when they've
made a mistake.

5) Self-Regulation: Professionals stay

professional under pressure.

Instead of getting upset or angry, they exhibit true

professionalism by maintaining a calm, business-like
demeanor.
They show respect for the people around them, no matter
what their role or situation.
NO GOSSIP

6) Image: Professionals are polished, and they

dress appropriately for the situation. They
are nice to others, and they smile. Because
of this, they are confident, and they gain
respect for this.

Professional at work

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/

outside-voices-careers/2013/07/22/whatdoes-it-mean-to-be-professional-at-work

Unprofessionalism

https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=KH68B5j9kZE

Engineering Ethics
Engineering

ethics is the field of applied

ethics and system of moral principles that
apply to the practice of engineering.
The field examines and sets the obligations
by engineers to society, to their clients, and
to the profession.

In the United States growing professionalism gave

rise to the development of four founding
engineering societies:
1) The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
(1851)
2) The American Institute of Electrical Engineers
(AIEE) (1884) (now IEEE)
3) The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
(ASME) (1880)
4) The American Institute of Mining Engineers
(AIME) (1871)

By the beginning of the 20th century, there had

been series of significant structural failures
(bridges, river roads)
These had a profound effect on engineers and
forced the profession to confront shortcomings in
technical and construction practice, as well as
ethical standards.
One response was the development of formal
codes of ethics by three of the four founding
engineering societies: AIEE adopted theirs in
1912. ASCE and ASME did so in 1914

Civil Engineers:
http://www.asce.org/code-of-ethics/
Mechanical Engineers:
https://www.asme.org/getmedia/9EB36017FA98-477E-8A73-77B04B36D410/P157_Ethics.aspx
Electrical Engineers:
http://www.ieee.org/about/corporate/governance/
p7-8.html
Professional Engineers:
http://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethics

ASCE Code of Ethics

ASCE Code of Ethics

First

Canon

Paramount is the safety, health, and welfare of the

public and shall strive to comply with the principles
of sustainable development
The public welfare: Prosperity (economical
projects) and happiness (successful completion of a
project)
Second

Canon

Perform services only in areas of competence.

Others more qualified must be called upon to
provide service beyond experiences

ASCE Code of Ethics

Third Canon
Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner
Fourth Canon
Act in a professional manner (faithful agent must be frank and open
with the employer and client. Dont violate the other canons to please
them)
Avoid conflicts of interest (in the eyes of the public, any gift maybe seen
as an attempt to gain favors (In the publics view perception is reality)
Fifth Canon
Build their professional reputation on the merit of their service
(cheating is unethical)
Avoid unfair competition (example: request to review the work of
another engineering firm)

ASCE Code of Ethics

Sixth Canon
Uphold and enhance honor, integrity, and dignity of the
profession (treat the others with the same courtesy that
you would expect from them, and behave such that the
credibility of your work is not jeopardized)
Seventh Canon
Continue professional development
Provide opportunities for professional development of
those engineers under their supervision

Discussion Question #1
The professional organization that you
belong to has been offered the opportunity
to meet in the facilities of a local casino free
of charge. As the person in charge of
arrangements, what action would you
recommend to the executive committee of
your organization.
(NB: Think ASCE Code of Ethics)

Discussion Question #2
The city engineer has called your firm to ask
that you review the design of a sewer that
has periodic flooding. The design was
performed by another consulting firm in the
community. What actions should you take
before accepting the job?
(NB: Think ASCE Code of Ethics)

Online sources
http://www.merriam-webster.com
http://www.mindtools.com
http://money.usnews.com
https://www.wikipedia.org