Engineering Laws and Ethics Part 1

Engineering Laws, Ethics, Contracts, Codes, Safety, and Standard of Practice - Part 1

• Course Description: This course studies engineering laws, legal procedures, the Code of Ethics and Canons of Conduct for Engineers, the engineer's relationship with the state, public, clients, employers, and other professionals. It also covers preparing and writing technical specifications and contracts.

• Definitions (ABET): Engineering is the creative application of scientific principles to design, develop structures, machines, apparatus, manufacturing processes, and works. It includes constructing and operating them, forecasting their behavior under various operating conditions, and considering safety and economic factors.

• Engineering as a Science: Engineering seeks to discover laws governing physical phenomena, develop theories explaining facts, and generate generalizations from specific cases.

• Engineering as an Art: Engineering involves applying technical know-how to solve specific problems. The process moves from general principles to specific methods.

• Engineering Law: This field studies engineering ethics and legal frameworks, aiming to ensure public safety in engineering practice. It controls engineering activities through specific laws. Engineering practice is legally separated from that of unlicensed persons. The laws vary across engineering disciplines. Licensed engineers often hold the responsibility or immunity for their work. Engineers are held to specific legal standards for ethics and performance.

• Engineering Law Topics:

  • Licensing Laws
  • Professional Negligence Laws
  • Environmental Laws
  • Intellectual Property Laws (patents, copyrights, trademarks)
  • Contract Law (professional relationships, role, responsibility, and compensation)

• Safety and Quality Assurance Regulations: These regulations cover mandated safety standards and processes for quality assurance in engineering projects.

• Engineering Law Key Takeaways: Engineering laws guide professional conduct, manage licensing, protect intellectual property rights, ensure ethical and sustainable practices, and importantly help ensure projects maintain quality standards protecting stakeholders.

• Qualities of an Engineer: Engineers are versed in the design, construction, and operation of structures, equipment, devices, and machinery. They are professional and trained, innovators, likely to bring changes or introduce new ideas.

• Engineering Practitioner: A practicing engineer is someone who renders engineering services for compensation, is duly licensed and registered according to law, and may use titles associated with practicing engineering.

• Practice of Engineering: "Practice of Engineering” encompasses any service or creative work needing engineering education, training, and experience in applying principles and interpreting data for activities potentially affecting public health, safety, and welfare.

• Forms of Engineering Services: This includes consultation, investigation, valuation, project specifications, tendering, construction, equipment supply, operations, data management, machinery maintenance, and contract preparation.

• Considerations in Engineering Practice:

  • Load and stress analysis
  • Motion of component design
  • Selection of appropriate materials
  • Size and form of components
  • Frictional resistance
  • Operational convenience
  • Safety of the operation
  • Standard parts selection
  • Workshop facility use
  • Construction costs
  • Overall project assembly

• Guidelines for Case Analysis: Case studies should contain the following sections:

  • Situationer: Background, Problem statement, and Problem analysis
  • Assumptions: Justified assumptions and their basis
  • Alternatives: Possible courses of action
  • Recommendation: Selected course of action, and reasoning for the selection
  • Implementation Plan: Detailed steps, time frame, resources, and realistic scheduling