An Interactive Professional Ethics Case Simulation

Abstract

Dr. Beal's teaching interests include system dynamics and control, mechanical design, mechatronics and robotics, and first year introductory engineering. His research is focused on the application of control systems to vehicle dynamics to improve safety, stability, and performance of vehicles on roads with uncertain friction conditions. Current research projects include identification of road surface conditions from onboard measurements and approaches to maintaining stability during sudden changes in road condition. Dr. Beal also serves as an Associate Editor for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Dynamic Systems and Control Conference (DSCC) and for the American Control Conference.

Integration of ethics in sustainability in a first-year design course

“…After a culminating expo, the final week of the semester focused on engineering ethics. "Ethics week" involved traditional exposure to the NSPE Code of Ethics, case studies, an online ethics simulation [6], and a final paper involving the analysis of an engineering ethics case study.…”

“…The instructor transitioned to one of the common case studies of engineering professional ethics:well-known historic engineering disasters resulting in life/death situations. An interactive ethics case simulation [6] was employed for students to experience a situation that involves a string of seemingly regular and less critical decisions (rather than a single life/death decision) that contribute to the determination of the final (possibly catastrophic) result.…”