Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition

Chapter 1: What engineers do

1-1) Draw a conceptual sketch of your computer. Identify the keyboard, screen, power source, and information storage devices using arrows and labels.

Note: Eventually we will show you (if you dont know already) how to draw a decently formatted sketch on your computer. Meanwhile this crude representation will suffice!

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition

1-2) Draw a conceptual sketch of an incandescent light bulb. Identify all the components using arrows and numbers as in Figure 1.1.

1 = glass envelope

2 = Filament 3 = Supports 4 = Seals 5 = Wires 6 = Plug

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition

1-3) Draw a conceptual sketch of a ballpoint pen. Identify all the components with arrows and labels as in Figure 1.2 of this chapter. The name of ballpoint pen's parts and components No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Name refill ball point socket slot eyelet refill tube ink grease cartridge plastic lube point barrel No. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Name clip barrel shell cap clip screw clip screw connector button spring ratchet spring retracting spring plunger trapped spring ratchet frame liner

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition

--see http://www.ball-penmanufacturers.com/pen_show_110_The_name_of_ballpoint_pen's_parts.htm (Hong-Li Pen manufacturing Co, Ltd.)

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition 1-4) The figure below is an exploded view of a table. Identify and label all the components.

Table top

Frame

Legs

Mortise & Tenon

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition

1-5) The figure below is an exploded view of a box. Identify and label all the components.

Hinges

Lid End Brackets

Bottom Sides End

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition 1-6) Repeat Example 1.3 using the NSPE Code of Engineering Ethics. Solve using the Engineering Ethics Matrix.

(Example 1.3: An Ethical Situation

You and your roommate are both enrolled in the same engineering class. Your roommate spent the weekend partying and did not do the homework that is due on Monday. You did the homework, and your roommate asks to see it. You are afraid he or she will just copy it and turn it in as his or her own work. What are you ethically obligated to do? a. Show your roommate the homework. b. Show the homework but ask your roommate not to copy it. c. Show the homework and tell the roommate that if the homework is copied, you will tell the professor. d. Refuse to show the homework. e. Refuse to show the homework but offer to spend time tutoring the roommate.)

Ethical Decision Matrix

Canons 1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public. 2. Perform services only in the area of your competence. 3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. 4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.

Option (a) Not applicable.

Option (b) Not applicable.

Option (c) Not applicable. Not applicable. Not applicable. Same as option (a). Same as option (a).

Option (d) Not applicable. Not applicable. Not applicable. OK.

Option (e) Not applicable. Are you a competent tutor? Not applicable. OK.

Not applicable

Not applicable.

Not applicable

Not applicable.

5. Avoid deceptive acts.

Violates this canon if home work is not to be shared. Violates this canon if sharing home work is considered cheating by instructor..

Same as option (a). Same as option (a).

OK.

OK.

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition 6. Conduct themselves honorably. Same as above. Same as option (a). Same as option (a). OK.

8 OK.

Of course, it may be possible to find a code of professional ethics that will lead to a contrary opinion to another code, but as per the solution in the text for Example 1.3, this code of professional ethics favors the same solutions, namely d & e.

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition

1-7) Repeat Example 1.4 using the Five Cornerstones of Ethical Behavior. Solve using the Engineering Ethics Matrix

(Example 1.4
You are a civil engineer on a team designing a bridge for a state government. Your team submits what you believe to be the best design by all criteria, at a cost that is within the limits originally set. However, some months later the state undergoes a budget crisis. Your supervisor, also a qualified civil engineer, makes design changes to achieve cost reduction that he or she believes will not compromise the safety of the bridge. You are not so sure, though you cannot conclusively demonstrate a safety hazard. You request that a new safety analysis be done. Your supervisor denies your request on the grounds of time and limited budget. What do you do?)

Cornerstone 1. Do what you say you will do. 2. Never divulge information given to you in confidence. 3. Accept responsibility for your mistakes.

a) Go along with the decision You did not say you would do this. Not applicable

b) Appeal to higher management You did not say you would do this.

c) Quit your job

You did not say you would do this. You may appeal Not to higher applicable. management Not applicable. Not applicable. Maybe, if you think someone is lying. Not applicable.

d) Write your state representative You did not say you would do this. Violates this cornerstone.

e) Call a newspaper reporter You did not say you would do this. Violates this cornerstone.

Not applicable

Not applicable. Not applicable. Maybe, if you think someone is lying. Maybe, if you think someone is lying.

4. Never become involved in a lie.

5. Never accept gifts that compromise your ability to perform in the best interests of your organization.

Violates this cornerstone of you believe your supervisor is lying. Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable. Not applicable.

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition

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Again, its roughly the same conclusion as per Example 1.4 I the text: Your best bet is to go over your immediate supervisors head and bring your dilemma to higher management.

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition

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1-8) It is the last semester of your senior year and you are anxious to get an exciting electrical engineering position in a major company. You accept a position from company A early in the recruiting process, but continue to interview hoping for a better offer. Then your dream job offer comes along from company B. More salary, better company, more options for advancement, it is just what you have been looking for. What should you do? a. Just dont show up for work at company A. b. Send a letter to A retracting your job acceptance with them. c. Ask company B to contact company A and tell them you wont be working for them. d. Reject the offer from company B and work for company A anyway.

Options Canons Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public. Perform services only in the area of your 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

a.) Just dont show up Yes-no risks

b.) Send letter retracting Yes-no risks

c.) Ask B

d.) Reject B

Yes-no risks Yes-no risks

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply-not yet employee Nodeceptive

Does not Does not apply-not yet apply-not employee yet employee Yes is not deceptive No-unless No potentially deceptive if B doesnt do it No-

Does not apply-not yet employee

Yes

No

Yes

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition themselves honorably you initially passing the made it clear buck to A that you would retract if offered by B

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The best answer is to reject the offer from Company B; however, the real message here is to be upfront with company A while provisionally accepting their offer saying you reserve the right to go to Company B.

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition

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1-9) A company purchased an expensive computer program for your summer job with them. The license agreement states that you can make a backup copy, but you can only use the program on one computer at a time. Your senior design course professor would like you to use the program for your senior design project. What should you do? a. Give the program to your professor and let him/her worry about the consequences. b. Copy the program and use it because no one will know. c. Ask your supervisor at the company that purchased the program if you can use it at school on your senior project. d. Ask your professor to contact the company and ask for permission to use the program at school. Options Canons Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public. Perform services only in the area of your 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 a.) Give to Prof Yes- no risk b.) Copy and use Yes-no risk c.) Ask supervisor Yes-no risk d.) Ask Prof to contact Yes-no risk

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

No-cheats company

No- cheats company

Yes

Yes

No is deceptive No

No is deceptive No

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

You need to do c) and d).

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition

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1-10) You are attending a regional conference along with five other students from your institution. The night before the group is scheduled to return to campus, one of the students is arrested for public intoxication and is jailed. Neither he nor the other students have enough cash for bail, and he doesnt want his parents to know. He asks you to lend him the organization's emergency cash so that he doesn't have to spend the night in jail; he'll repay you as soon as his parents send money. What should you do? a. Lend him the money since his parents are wealthy and you know he can repay it quickly. b. Tell him to contact his parents now and ask for help. c. Give him the money, but ask him to write and sign a confessional note to repay it.. d. Tell him to call a lawyer since its not your problem. Options Canons Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public. Perform services only in the area of your 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 a). Lend Yes-no risk b). Tell: contact parents Yes-no risk c). Money and note Yes-no risk d). Tell not your problem Yes-no risk

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

No- unless money was previously authorized for bail No if you are hoping to put money back without telling organization

Yes

No-unless money was previously authorized for bail Yes-if you show note to organization.

Yes

Yes

Yes

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition Conduct themselves honorably Noallowing your concern for friend to override your duty to organization Yes Yes an attempt, though flawed, to combine duties to friend and organization Yes although as a matter of personal ethics, telling a friend that his problems are not yours may be unacceptable, this is not a violation of professional ethics

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So you should consider telling him to call his parents and/or a lawyer.

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition

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1-11) You are testing motorcycle helmets manufactured by a variety of your competitors. Your company has developed an inexpensive helmet with a liner that will withstand multiple impacts, but is less effective on the initial impact than your competitors. The Vice President for Sales is anxious to get this new helmet on the market and is threatening to fire you if you do not release it to the manufacturing division. What should you do? a. Follow the vice presidents orders since he/she will ultimately be responsible for the decision. b. Call a newspaper to blow the whistle on the unsafe company policies. c. Refuse to release the product as unsafe and take your chances on being fired. d. Stall the vice president while you look for a job at a different company. Options Canons Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public. Perform services only in the area of your competence Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees a). Follow order No Would knowingly put public at risk Yes b). Blow whistle No Would knowingly put public at risk c). Refuse to release Yes avoids putting public at risk d). Stall No-leaves public at risk

No- press Yes relations is not your area of expertise Yes - but only if you are sure of your facts No- as an agent, you are expected to get permission before speaking to press Yes is not deceptive Yes- no public statement made Yes

Yes

Yes no public statement made Maybe depends on whether supervisor intends to deal with risk in another manner Yes is not deceptive

Yes-no public statement made No- you owe your employer a truthful interpretation of your actions No-stalling is deceptive

Avoid deceptive acts

Yes- is not deceptive

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition Conduct themselves honorably Yes Yes Yes Nohiding your true views is dishonorable

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Refuse to release the defective article should at least be a major option to consider even though it may have a serious effect on your career.

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition

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1-12) Paul Ledbetter is employed at Bluestone Ltd. as a manufacturing engineer. He regularly meets with vendors who offer to supply Bluestone with needed services and parts. Paul discovers that one of the vendors, Duncan Mackey, like Paul, is an avid golfer. They begin comparing notes about their favorite golf courses. Paul says he's always wanted to play at the Cherry Orchard Country Club; but since it is a private club, he's never had the opportunity. Duncan says he's been a member there for several years and that he's sure he can arrange a guest visit for Paul. What should Paul do? 1 a. Paul should accept the invitation since he has always wanted to play there. b. Paul should reject the invitation since it might adversely affect his business relationship with Duncan. c. Paul should ask Duncan to nominate him for membership in the Club. d. Paul should ask his supervisor if its OK to accept Duncans invitation. Options Canons Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public. Perform services only in the area of your competence Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees a). Accept Yes-no risk b). Reject Yes-no risk c). Ask Duncan to nominate Yes-no risk d). Ask supervisor Yes-no risk

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Yes if you have consulted company ethics guidelines and determined that its ok;

Yes

Yes

Yes

Extracted from TEACHING ENGINEERING ETHICS, A CASE STUDY APPROACH, Michael S. Pritchard Editor, CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF ETHICS IN SOCIETY WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY. http://ethics.tamu.edu/pritchar/golfing.htm]

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition otherwise, no Yes is not Yes is not deceptive deceptive Yes Yes

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Avoid deceptive acts Conduct themselves honorably

Yes Yes- unless you suggest to Duncan that if he says no, he wont get the order

Yes Yes

You have a lot of latitude here so you can pick almost any action or a combination.

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In Exercises 13 16 below use the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics (see http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/index.html) to respond to these ethical situations. 1-13) Some American companies have refused to promote women into positions of high authority in their international operations in Asia, the Middle East, and South America. Their rationale is that business will be hurt because some foreign customers do not wish to deal with women. It might be contended that this practice is justified out of respect for the customs of countries which discourage women from entering business and the professions. Circuit Judge Warren J. Ferguson argued, however, that such practices are wrong. He ruled that gender stereotypes are not to be used in formulating job qualification, and that customer preferences do not justify gender discrimination. He added that while our legal system cannot be used to force other countries to stop gender discrimination, other countries cannot dictate gender discrimination for citizens of our country. Present and defend your view as to whether Judge Ferguson's ruling was justified. Most students will agree with the judge. However, they need to present some comments as to why they reached their conclusion.

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1-14) Marvin Johnson is Environmental Engineer for one of several local plants whose water discharges flow into a lake in a flourishing tourist area. Included in Marvin's responsibilities is the monitoring of water and air discharges at his plant and the periodic preparation of reports to be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources. Marvin has just prepared a report that indicates that the level of pollution in the plant's water discharges slightly exceeds the legal limitations. However, there is little reason to believe that this excessive amount poses any danger to people in the area; at worst, it will endanger a small number of fish. On the other hand, solving the problem will cost the plant more than $200,000. Marvin's supervisor says the excess should be regarded as a mere "technicality," and he asks Marvin to "adjust" the data so that the plant appears to be in compliance. He explains: "We can't afford the $200,000. It would set us behind our competitors. Besides the bad publicity we'd get, it might scare off some of tourist industry." How do you think Marvin should respond to Edgar's request? a) Do what Edgar says b) Ask Edgar to join him in discussing this with Edgars boss c) Do not do what Edgar s says Options Canons Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public. Perform services only in the area of your competence Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees a). Do what Edgar says Yes-no risks b). Ask Edgar to join in discussing Yes-no risks c). Do not do what Edgar says Yes-no risks

Yes

Yes

Yes

Does not apply

Does not apply

Does not apply

Noexposes company to legal action

Yes

No - simple disobedience, even if justified, is not the action of a faithful agent

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition Avoid deceptive acts Conduct themselves honorably No. Yes Deceptive to is not customer deceptive No is putting oneself above the law Yes No potentially deceptive if boss thinks hes obeying Maybe, depending on how done

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Here the solution is clear get Edgar involved b).

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition

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1-15) Derek Evans used to work for a small computer firm that specializes in developing software for management tasks. Derek was a primary contributor in designing an innovative software system for customer services. This software system is essentially the "lifeblood" of the firm. The small computer firm never asked Derek to sign an agreement that software designed during his employment there becomes the property of the company. However, his new employer did. Derek is now working for a much larger computer firm. Derek's job is in the customer service area, and he spends most of his time on the telephone talking with customers having systems problems. T his requires him to cross reference large amounts of information. It now occurs to him that by making a few minor alterations in the innovative software system he helped design at the small computer firm the task of cross referencing can be greatly simplified. On Friday Derek decides he will come in early Monday morning to make the adaptation. However, on Saturday evening he attends a party with two of his old friends, you and Horace Jones. Since it has been some time since you have seen each other, you spend some time discussing what you have been doing recently. Derek mentions his plan to adapt the software system on Monday. Horace asks, "Isn't that unethical? That system is really the property of your previous employer." "But," Derek replies, "I'm just trying to make my work more efficient. I'm not selling the system to anyone, or anything like that. It's just for my use -- and, after all, I did help design it. Besides, it's not exactly the same system -- I've made a few changes." What should be done about this situation? 2 a) Derek should go ahead and make the adaptation b) Derek should suggest to his boss a meeting with the other company to discuss use of the program. c) Derek should drop the idea Options Canons Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public. Perform services only in the area of your competence
2

a). Make the b). Suggest a adaptation meeting Yes-no risks Yes-no risks

c). Drop the idea Yes-no risks

Yes

Yes

Yes

Adapted from: http://ethics.tamu.edu/pritchar/property.htm

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees Avoid deceptive acts Does not apply Does not apply Does not apply

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Conduct themselves honorably b) is the best course.

Maybe- may Yes expose current employer to possible suit or bad publicity No- while Yes is not possibly deceptive legal, the action is deceptive (implies new company developed idea) No (see Yes deceptive)

No- an employee should pursue good ideas No employee is hiding a good idea

Yes

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition

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1-16) Jan, a professional engineer on unpaid leave, is a part-time graduate student at a small private university and is enrolled in a research class for credit taught by Dimanro, a mechanical-engineering professor at the University. Part of the research being performed by Jan involves the use of an innovative geothermal technology. The University is in the process of enlarging its facilities, and Dimanro, a member of the University's building committee, has responsibility for developing a request for proposal (RFP) in order to solicit interested engineering firms. Dimanro plans to incorporate an application of the geothermal technology into the RFP. Dimanro asks Jan to serve as a paid consultant to the University's building committee in developing the RFP and reviewing proposals. Jans employer will not be submitting a proposal and is not averse to having Jan work on the RFP and proposal reviews. Jan agrees to serve as a paid consultant. Is it a conflict of interest for Jan to be enrolled in a class for credit at the University and at the same time serve as a consultant to the University? 3 a) Jan should assume a conflict of interest and drop the idea b) Jan should request a legal opinion as to the legality of this service c) Jan should go ahead and serve without inquiring further Options Canons Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public. Perform services only in the area of your competence Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees
3

a). Drop idea

b). Request legal opinion

c). Go ahead Yes-no risks

Yes-no risks Yes-no risks

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes, if he acknowledges his connection to university yes

Yes- has consulted with employer

Yes

Adapted from NSPE Board of Ethical Review Case No. 91-5

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Kosky, Wise, Balmer, Keat: Exploring Engineering, Second Edition Avoid deceptive acts Conduct themselves honorably Yes Yes Yes, if he acknowledges his connection to university Maybe, depending on whether he or university hopes to gain from the connection (e.g., unjustified positive opinion, unjustified higher grade)

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Yes

Yes

Note: as is evident from the matrix, the answer to this question depends on detailed legal knowledge (whether being a student and paid consultant simultaneously constitutes a conflict of interest).

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