Toby Teorey Collegiate Lecturer Computer Science and Engineering
Ethics in Engineering
What You'll Learn
- Key factors that led to historical cases of engineering failures
- The causes and outcomes of these classic engineering failures
- A working knowledge of the ethical foundations of engineering
4 Modules
16 Hours
4 hrs per module (approx.)
Rating
About Ethics in Engineering
Explore unique case studies in engineering ethics. In this four-week course, you’ll examine different historical case studies and understand how they led to classic engineering failures.
Though each case is unique and has a distinct context, they all share common themes; a backstory, a disastrous event, a post-event with ramifications, and outcomes.
For each case, you’ll watch and hear video lectures and explore foundational literature. You’ll also have the opportunity to discuss the case in detail and check your knowledge through quizzes and reflections on your understanding of the case. This format will help you develop a working knowledge of ethical foundations.
Delve into four case studies, including the VW emissions scandal, the failure of the Denver airport baggage system, the fatal case of the Therac 25 radiation machine, and the software failure of the Ariane 5 rocket launch.
With each case, you’ll identify key aspects that led to the engineering failures and discuss the outcomes of the failures.
You’ll also explore the significance of each case and how they led to corrective actions.
Develop your knowledge of engineering alongside experts in the industry. The course will help you reflect on engineering as a design discipline and its impact on humans.
You’ll be guided by Dr. David Chesney, an expert in both industry and academics with 20 years of experience at General Motors Corporation and 20 years working at the University of Michigan. Dr. Chesney’s background is in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Computer Science and he is the Toby Teorey Collegiate Lecturer in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan College of Engineering.
This course will be particularly useful for engineering students and professionals, although no prior experience is required.
Skills You'll Gain
- Data Ethics
- Engineering Ethics
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of Completion:
- Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Welcome Message
Welcome to Ethics in Engineering, an online course that uses real-world case studies to examine ethical decision-making in engineering and complex systems. Through detailed analyses of historic and contemporary failures, you will explore how design choices, organizational pressures, and policy decisions contribute to outcomes—and what can be learned to prevent future harm. Each case stands alone, allowing flexible engagement with ethical frameworks and lessons learned.
This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools and reviewed by staff. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.
Course Schedule
Module 1: Ethical Models and the VW Emissions Scandal
- Reading: About this course
- Video: Welcome to Ethics in Engineering!
- Discussion Prompt: Introduce Yourself
- Reading: Syllabus
- Reading: Pre-Course Survey
- Reading: Course Case Studies
- Discussion Prompt: What does "engineering ethics" bring to your mind?
- Video: Overview of Ethical Models (Part 1)
- Video: Overview of Ethical Models (Part 2)
- Reading: Introduction to the VW Emissions Scandal
- Video: Introduction to the VW Emissions Scandal
- Reading: The Case Study
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: What did you learn about the case study so far?
- Video: The Backstory of the VW Emissions Scandal
- Discussion Prompt: Reflection and Discussion on the VW Emissions Scandal
- Video: What Happened with the VW Emissions Scandal?
- Reading: A Deep Dive to the Event of the VW Emissions Scandal
- Discussion Prompt: Reflection and Discussion on the VW Emissions Scandal's Event
- Video: The Aftermath of the W Emissions Scandal
- Discussion Prompt: Reflection and Discussion on the Aftermath of the Event
- Video: Lessons Learned & Summary of the VW Emissions Scandal
- Video: One More Thing to Add on the VW Emissions Scandal
- Reading: End of Week 1 and Coming Up Next
Module 2: Denver International Airport Baggage Handling Catastrophe
- Reading: Introduction to DIA Baggage Handling Catastrophe
- Video: Introduction to DIA Baggage Handling Catastrophe
- Reading: The Case Study
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: What did you learn about the case study so far?
- Video: The Backstory of the DIA Baggage Handling Catastrophe
- Reading: Reflection and Discussion on the DIA Baggage Handling Catastrophe
- Video: What Happened with the DIA Baggage Handling Catastrophe?
- Reading: A Deep Dive to the Event of the DIA Baggage Handling Catastrophe
- Discussion Prompt: Reflection and Discussion on the Event of the DIA Baggage Handling Catastrophe
- Video: After the Event of the DIA Baggage Handling Catastrophe
- Discussion Prompt: Reflection and Discussion on the Aftermath of the Event
- Video: Lessons Learned & Summary of the DIA Baggage Handling Catastrophe
- Video: One More Thing to Add on the DIA Baggage Handling Catastrophe
- Reading: End of Week 2 and Coming Up Next
Module 3: Therac-25 Radiation Machine Malfunction
- Reading: Content Warning
- Reading: Introduction to the Therac 25 Radiation Machine Malfunction
- Video: Introduction to the Therac 25 Radiation Machine Malfunction
- Reading: The Case Study
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: What did you learn about the case study so far?
- Video: The Backstory of the Therac 25 Radiation Machine Malfunction
- Discussion Prompt: Reflection & Discussion on The Therac 25 Radiation Machine Malfunction
- Video: What Happened with the Therac 25 Radiation Machine Malfunction?
- Reading: A Deep Dive to the Event of the Therac 25 Radiation Machine Malfunction
- Discussion Prompt: Reflection and Discussion on the Event of the Therac 25 Radiation Machine Malfunction
- Video: The Aftermath of the Therac 25 Radiation Machine Malfunction
- Discussion Prompt: Reflection and Discussion on the Aftermath of the Event
- Video: Lessons Learned & Summary of the Therac 25 Radiation Machine Malfunction
- Video: One More Thing to Add on the Therac 25 Radiation Machine Malfunction
- Reading: End of Week 3 and Coming Up Next
Module 4: Ariane 5 Rocket Launch Disaster
- Reading: Content Warning
- Reading: Introduction to the Ariane 5 Rocket Launch Disaster
- Video: Introduction to the Ariane 5 Rocket Launch Disaster
- Reading: The Case Study
- Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: What did you learn about the case study so far?
- Video: The Backstory of the Ariane 5 Rocket Launch Disaster
- Discussion Prompt: Reflection & Discussion on the Ariane 5 Rocket Launch Disaster
- Video: What Happened with the Ariane 5 Rocket Launch Disaster?
- Reading: A Deep Dive to the Event of the Ariane 5 Rocket Launch Disaster
- Discussion Prompt: Reflection and Discussion on the Event of the Ariane 5 Rocket Launch Disaster
- Video: The Aftermath of Ariane 5 Rocket Launch Disaster
- Discussion Prompt: Reflection and Discussion on the Aftermath of the Event
- Video: Lessons Learned & Summary of the Ariane 5 Rocket Launch Disaster
- Video: One More Thing to Add on the Ariane 5 Rocket Launch Disaster
- Discussion Prompt: Concluding Thoughts
- Reading: Post-Course Survey
Grading Policy
Course materials and assessments are available for self-paced learning. Learners must earn an overall grade of 80% or higher to pass the course and receive a certificate. The final grade is based on four quizzes worth 25% each.
Course content developed by U-M faculty and managed by the university. Faculty titles and affiliations are updated periodically.
Beginner Level
This course is for engineering students and professionals but designed for anyone interested in the underlying causes of engineering failures.
