Semester:

1

Course Code

MA1100

Course Name

Ethics and Sustainability

Credit Value

2

Pre-requisites

None

Core/Optional

Compulsory

Hourly Breakdown

Theory

Small Group Activities

Independent Learning

15

15

70

Course Aim(s): To impart knowledge on basic concepts of sustainability and ethics.

Intended Learning Outcomes:
On completion of the course, students should be able to:

➢      explain the concept of morality and how it relates to standard ethical practices in the Education and Engineering Profession.

➢      reflect ethical conduct as a student and an engineering professional in contributing to decision-making in engineering activities.

➢      interpret the sustainability concepts and practices in different industrial sectors.

➢      assess the economic, social, and environmental impacts of development activities.

Course Content: (Only main topics & subtopics)

➢      Ethics and Morality: Concept of morality; personal morality; common morality; core values.

➢      Academic integrity: Usage of information; citation and acknowledgement; plagiarism; impersonation.

➢      Professional Ethics: Engineers in an organisation; introduction to IESL Code of Ethics.

➢      Ethics and Sustainability: Ethical considerations in decision making for sustainable development projects – application of IESL Code of Ethics.

➢      Global environmental and social issues: Global environmental issues with particular emphasis on global warming and recourse limitation; Contribution from present development practices to these issues. Need for different approaches for development.

➢      Concept of Sustainable Development: Concept of sustainable development, three pillars of sustainability, the need for a sustainable approach to development; Sustainable development goals (SDGs).

➢      Introduction to Tools and Concepts for sustainable development of Industries: Concepts of Life Cycle Thinking, design for sustainability, cleaner production, sustainable consumption and production, circular economy.

Teaching/Learning Methods:

➢      Lectures

➢      Student Based Activities

Assessment Strategy:

Continuous Assessment
60%

Final Assessment
40%

Small Group Activities 40%

Quizzes 20%

Theory(%)

40%

Practical(%)

-

Other (%)

-

Recommended Reading:

➢      Harris, C. E., Pritchard, M.S., Rabins, M.J. (2009) Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases, Wadsworth Cengage Learning, USA.

➢      Kelly, W. E., Luke, B., Wright, R.N. (2017). Engineering for Sustainable Communities-Principles and Practices, ASCE Press.

➢      Martin, M. W., Schinzinger, R. (2010). Introduction to Engineering Ethics, McGraw-Hill, USA.

➢      Robertson, M. (2017). Sustainability Principles and Practice, Routledge, UK.

➢      The Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka. (2017). Code of Ethics, The Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka.

➢      Whitbeck, C. (2011). Ethics in Engineering Practice and Research, Cambridge University Press.