Engineering Ethics and Sustainable Development for B.tech third sem

Engineering Ethics and Sustainable Development

For B.Tech – Semester III (KTU)

Course Overview

This is a core Humanities & Management Course (HMC) offered in Semester III under the KTU curriculum. It carries 2 credits and is designed to develop an ethical mindset and sustainability awareness among engineering students 

Learning Objectives

• Understand the ethical responsibilities of engineers in society and their profession

• Interpret foundational moral and ethical theories suitable for technological contexts

• Appreciate principles of sustainable development aligned with global goals

• Learn how engineers contribute to environmental protection and sustainable systems

 Core Topic Modules

Module 1: Professional Ethics

• Morals, values, and ethics: personal and professional dimensions

• Integrity, accountability, respect, work ethic, civic responsibility

• Legal and regulatory frameworks in professional conduct 

Module 2: Ethical Theories & Dilemmas

• Engineering ethics perspectives: moral autonomy, Kohlberg's and Gilligan’s theories

• Ethical dilemmas in engineering practice—privacy, conflicts of interest, whistleblowing

• Professional roles and responsibilities across industries 

Module 3: Engineering as Social Experimentation

• Engineers’ role in social and environmental outcomes

• Codes of ethics from organizations like IEEE, IEI, ASCE

• Case studies such as the Bhopal gas tragedy, design failure ethics

Module 4: Rights, Responsibilities & Global Context

• Confidentiality, loyalty, discrimination, employee rights

• Intellectual property and professional integrity issues

• Engineers as consultants, experts, and decision leaders 

Module 5: Sustainable Development Principles

• Sustainable development: Brundtland definition, triple bottom‑line (environment, society, economy)

• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), resource equity, ecological footprint

• Role of engineers in energy efficiency, waste management, eco‑design, life‑cycle analysis