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Coverage of Legal and Ethical Aspects in Electrical and Computer Engineering Curriculum (ABET Outcomes c and f)

Abstract – Legal and Ethical aspects of engineering have been an integral part of the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) curriculum at the Saint Louis University. The coverage of both legal and ethical issues begins at the freshman engineering course and continues throughout the four years. Various available resources in print and online are employed. Case study approach is adopted to bring about a better understanding of legal, ethical and professional responsibility. Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) requires engineering programs to include “an ability to design a system, component or process to meet with desired constraints …. “ (ABET outcome c) and “understanding of Ethical and Professional Responsibility” (ABET Outcome f) as two of programs educational outcomes. The ECE Dept. continuous assessment has shown achievement of desired performance levels for its Program Educational Outcomes.

Introduction

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the Saint Louis University is fully dedicated to undergraduate teaching and research. The department offers two degree programs in Electrical Engineering (EE) and in Computer Engineering (CpE). The Electrical Engineering program is ABET accredited. The Computer Engineering program will graduate its first class in two to three years. Both our programs are to be visited by ABET team in 2012. The department was established in 1987 by the generous support of local industry.

The Bachelor of Science in either of the programs offered by the department requires a minimum of 125 credits for graduation.

In meeting the program educational outcomes both programs place an important emphasis on the integration of legal, ethical and professional responsibilities throughout the curriculum. Coverage of such issues begins at the incoming freshman orientation (SLU 101). Professional and ethical responsibilities (ABET outcome f), engineering design process, and ability to design a product to meet desired needs within realistic constraints (ABET outcome c) are introduced in a required freshmen engineering course called “Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering” (EENG-101). Legal and ethical aspects of engineering are further emphasized in the sophomore and junior electrical engineering courses. As a major part of senior year experience ECE students are expected to be engaged in two sixteen week senior design course sequence, Design I (EENG-490) and Design II (EENG-491). Students are expected to be involved in major interdisciplinary design projects. In Design I and Design II various aspects of engineering design are covered. The resources available to the Saint Louis University community, such as speakers from two centers of ethics in Schools of Medicine and Business, and law professors from university law school, are employed to carry out workshops in ethical and legal issues. In addition, textbooks, published articles, and many resources available

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Gharabagi, R. (2007, June), Coverage Of Legal And Ethical Aspects In Electrical And Computer Engineering Curriculum Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--1862