ENGR 413: Law and Ethics for Engineers

Course Overview

ENGR 413: Law and Ethics for Engineers is a fourth-year course at UBC Okanagan, taught by Dr. Lukas Bichler, running from January 8 to April 4, 2024. Lectures occur Wednesdays and Fridays (3:30–5:00 p.m., COM 201), with bi-weekly quizzes and guest lectures from industry professionals. The course explores ethical dilemmas, legal frameworks, and professional responsibilities in engineering, covering topics like contracts, torts, and intellectual property. Assessments include ethics quizzes (30%), law quizzes (30%), and a final exam (40%), blending theory with real-world case studies.

Syllabus

• Weeks 1-4: Ethics Foundations

  • Professional practice, licensing, and ethical theories
  • Hazards, liability, and codes of ethics

• Weeks 5-8: Ethics in Practice

  • Employment ethics, sustainability, and global standards
  • Guest lectures (e.g., EGBC, professional development)

• Weeks 9-13: Legal Principles

  • Canadian legal system, contracts, and torts
  • Guest lectures on business, employment law, and IP

• Key Dates:

  • Quiz #1: Jan 17 (Ethics)
  • Quiz #2: Jan 31 (Ethics)
  • Quiz #3: Feb 14 (Ethics)
  • Quiz #4: Mar 7 (Law)
  • Quiz #5: Mar 21 (Law)
  • Quiz #6: Apr 4 (Law)
  • Final Exam: Apr 15–26, TBA

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, I’ll be able to:

• Apply ethical theories to engineering case studies.
• Understand legal principles in contracts and liability.
• Grasp professional duties and societal responsibilities.

Key Project

Ethics and Law Case Studies

Bi-weekly quizzes (e.g., Jan 17, Mar 7) task me with analyzing real-world scenarios—like whistleblowing or contract disputes—using ethical frameworks and legal principles. Supported by guest lectures (e.g., EGBC, Lawson Lundell), these in-class exercises test my ability to navigate complex professional challenges.