American International University- Bangladesh (AIUB)

Faculty of Engineering (EEE)

Course Name: Engineering Ethics Course Code: EEE 3107

Semester: Summer 2018 Sec: D
Faculty: Dr M Tanseer Ali

Case No: 1
Case Title: Ethical Theory

Student Name: Uddin, Md.Borhan Student ID: 15-29797-2

Submission Date: 6/30/2018 Due Date:

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Marking Rubrics (to be filled by Faculty)

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Proficient Good Acceptable Unacceptable Secured

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Category
[4] [3] [2] [1] Marks
Issue/problem to be Issue/problem to be Issue/problem to be Issue/problem to be

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considered critically is stated considered critically is considered critically is considered critically is stated
Explanation of
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clearly and described stated, described, and stated, but description leaves without clarification or
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comprehensively, delivering clarified so that some terms undefined, description.
issues relevant information understanding is not ambiguities unexplored,
necessary for full seriously impeded by boundaries undetermined,
understanding. omissions.
Specific position Specific position Specific position Specific position
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(perspective, hypothesis) is (perspective, (perspective, hypothesis) (perspective, hypothesis) is

imaginative, considering the thesis/hypothesis) considers acknowledges different sides stated, but is simplistic and
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Student’s position complexities of an issue. the complexities of an issue. of an issue. obvious.

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Limits of position Others’ points of view and

(perspective,
(perspective, hypothesis) are assumptions are
thesis/ acknowledged. Others’ acknowledged within
hypothesis) points of view and position (perspective,
assumptions are synthesized hypothesis).
within position (perspective,
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hypothesis).
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Conclusions and related
Conclusions and outcomes (consequences and
implications) are logical and
related outcomes
reflect student’s informed
(implications and evaluation and ability to
consequences) place evidence.
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Conclusion is logically tied
to a range of information,
including opposing
viewpoints; related outcomes
(consequences and
implications) are identified
Conclusion is logically tied
to information (because
information is chosen to fit
the desired conclusion);
some related outcomes
(consequences and
Conclusion is inconsistently
tied to some of the
information discussed;
related outcomes
(consequences and
implications) are

clearly. implications) are not clear. oversimplified.

No apparent plagiarism or No apparent plagiarism or No apparent plagiarism or Some of the contents are
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copying has been found and copying has been found and copying has been found but copied and no citation has
Plagiarism appropriate citation has been some citation has been no citation has been given. been given
followed. given.
Submitted within due time Submitted with in one week Submitted after one week of Submitted after two week of
Timeliness of due time due time due time
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Total Marks
Comments:
(Out of 20):

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 Engineering Ethics
The growing consensus among scientists that carbon emissions are contributing to global warming is also beginning to
have a significant impact on local energy policies and projects. For example, Fort Collins, Colorado, has a Climate Wise
energy program to go with its official motto, ‘‘Where renewal is a way of life.’’ Local reduction of carbon emissions is one
of the city’s global aims.

At the same time, local communities such as Fort Collins have continued, if not growing, energy needs. AVA Solar and
Powertech Uranium are proposing ways of helping to meet these needs. Working with Colorado State University, AVA has
developed a manufacturing process to make electricity-producing solar panels. Solar energy has popular appeal and is
typically given high marks in regard to ‘‘green’’ technology. Local critics, however, have some worries about the AVA
project. The process uses cadmium, which raises concerns about cancer. AVA’s director of strategic planning, Russ
Kanjorski, acknowledges that the use of cadmium will call for careful environmental monitoring, particularly in the
discharge of water, and that monitoring practices are still in the developmental stage.

Powertech Uranium proposes drilling for uranium, which can be used to create nuclear power. Nuclear power promises
to reduce carbon emissions, but it lacks solar power’s popularity. Although Governor Bill Ritter, Jr., is strongly committed
to what he calls ‘‘the new energy economy,’’ this does not favor uranium mining. In fact, there are long-term, unresolved
scientific and technological worries about extracting, processing, and disposing of uranium. Complicating matters is that
both projects seem to have great economic potential for the companies and the local economy. As Kirk Johnson states,

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‘‘There is no doubt that new money is chasing new energy.’’

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Meanwhile, Johnson observes, local environmentalists such as Dan Bihn are genuinely puzzled. Bihn is an electrical

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engineer and environmental consultant on the Fort Collins Electric Utilities Board. Johnson quotes Bihn as saying ‘‘I think

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nuclear needs to be on the table, and we need to work through this thing and we can’t just emotionally react to it.’’
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What is Bihn’s emotional reaction to Powertech’s proposal? ‘‘Deep down inside,’’ he told Johnson, ‘‘my emotional
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reaction is that we should never do this.’’ Lane Douglas, a spokesperson for Powertech and its Colorado land and project
manager, urges that its company’s proposal be judged on facts, not prejudice. ‘‘The science will either be good science or
it won’t,’’ Douglas says. ‘‘We’re just saying give us a fair hearing.’’ Local citizens such as Ariana Friedlander are striving to
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be consistent in evaluating the proposals. Skeptical about uranium mining, she adds, ‘‘But we shouldn’t be giving the
other guys a pass because they’re sexy right now.’’
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Discuss the ethical issues raised by the Fort Collins circumstances. What responsibilities do engineers have in regard to
issues like these? When Dan Bihn says we shouldn’t just emotionally react to these issues, do you think he is saying that
he should ignore his own emotional reaction? (Why do you suppose he characterizes this as ‘‘deep down inside’’?) What
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do you think Lane Douglas has in mind by appealing to ‘‘good science’’ in resolving the issues about uranium mining? Do
you think ‘‘good science’’ alone can provide the answers?
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 Engineering Ethics
Answer:

Because of the growing productivity more energy is needed to be produced. But this growing productivity is not coping
up with the environment. As a result the environment is getting hampered and the earth is getting warmer. Global
warming is now catching the eyes of many scientific experts. As the energy needs are still to be fulfilled scientists are
trying to find better ways so that the environment will be less hampered.

Engineers have a role to play towards climate change. Climate change is a serious global problem, and the majority of
greenhouse gas emissions come from industries that are enabled by engineers and represented by the engineering
professional institutions. Engineers must follow a code of ethics regarding the climate change. They ought to find newer
resources that will decrease the emission of carbon dioxide. Engineers can make contribution to sustainability by using
their professional principles that reduce the impact of major industrial activities. Many scientific community are trying to
minimize the change whereas Fort Collins and Powertech Uranium has already proposed two solutions which are AVA
solar and drilling for Uranium. Though the solutions are proposed it is being criticized by many critiques. Bhin says not
react emotionally as he knows though there are side effects of Powertech solution but the solution should be still
considered and researched. He is ignoring his emotional feelings as the solution may bring successful outcomes. His

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characterization as deep down inside means though the Uranium drilling can be a good solution but the long term

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process can be dangerous.

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Lane Douglas being the manager of Powertech project is proposing to consider the proposal because of his business

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manner. He is saying that the outcome of the proposal may be bad but it can also be good by referring good science. He

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wants the project to be heard as there is a possibility to accept the project.
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Only good science cannot be the answer of the raised questions. Only considering the good science means ignoring the
bad science and its impact. If we do not know the impact of bad science we might not find the way to good science. We
can only maximize the good outcomes if the bad actions are analyzed first.
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