MA1100 – Ethics and Sustainability
Course Information
Semester
1
Course Code
MA1100
Course Name
Ethics and Sustainability
Credit Value
2
Pre-requisites
None
Category
Compulsory
Hourly Breakdown
Theory
15
Small Group Activities
15
Practical
–
Assignment
–
Independent Learning
70
Course Aim
To impart knowledge on basic concepts of sustainability and ethics.
Intended Learning Outcomes
- 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; implementation.
- Professional Ethics: Engineers in an organisation; introduction to BES Code of Ethics.
- Ethics and Sustainability: Ethical considerations in decision making for sustainable development projects – application of BES Code of Ethics.
- Global environmental and social issues: Global environmental targets with particular emphasis on global warming and resource limitation; the creation of new global environmental practices in broad areas; health of children; applications for distribution.
- Concept of Sustainable Development: Concept of sustainable development, three pillars of sustainability, the need for a sustainable approach of understanding 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 | Final Assessment |
|---|---|
| 60% | 40% |
|
Small Group Activities: 40%
Coursework: 20%
|
Theory: 40%
Practical: –
Other: –
|
Recommended Reading
- Harris, C. E., Pritchard, M.S., Rabins, M.J. (2009) Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases, Wisconsin: 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. (2016), 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.