PE Ethics Workshop

In this latest version of the popular engineering ethics series, the first half of the workshop explores this question: What strategies can we use to better identify when our own judgment may be biased by pre-existing relationships or influences that may compromise our objectivity?  During the second half of the workshop, we examine a variety of actual cases where bias may have affected the judgement of the professionals involved - and ask how you would interpret and act in those situations.

While this course was developed for engineers, engineering knowledge is not a prerequisite. Those practicing architecture may also find the ethics principles beneficial for their careers and business relationships.

This course has been approved for 2 LU AIA credits.

How to Complete the "Online Anytime" Asynchronous Version of this Course

After enrolling and setting up your "NetID" username and password, proceed to the Canvas course web site and watch the recorded session.  After watching the full session, return to the Canvas course site and answer the 10 completion questions.  Score 70% or higher on the questions to download your completion certificate.  You may repeat the questions if needed.

During this ethics workshop you will:

• Develop awareness of bias or compromising influence in your professional relationships
• Recognize the kinds of personal or professional entanglements that lead to conflicts of interest
• Examine recent changes to professional codes of ethics and how these guiding documents provide greater clarity when facing ethical dilemmas
• Evaluate real case examples of ethics problems to identify options for addressing conflicts of interest

Laura Grossenbacher

Laura Grossenbacher, PhD, is the Director of the Technical Communication Program in the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has been teaching courses in engineering communication for over twenty years. Dr. Grossenbacher has been an active member of the Association for Practical and Profession Ethics, serving as a judge at the National Ethics Bowl Intercollegiate Competition for several years. She has served a three-year rotation as an NSF proposal reviewer for the Ethics in Engineering and Science Education panel, and actively develops cases for her undergraduate capstone course, Contemporary Issues in International Engineering.