C. Adams, 2015 ELG/SEG/CSI 2911 Professional Practice Carlisle Adams, Ph.D., P.Eng. Office: STE 5035 [email protected] cadams Some

C. Adams, 2015

ELG/SEG/CSI 2911Professional Practice

Carlisle Adams, Ph.D., P.Eng.Office: STE 5035

[email protected]

www.eecs.uottawa.ca/~cadams

Some of the material in the course slides is derived from slides produced by Sara Basse, the Author of the “Gift of Fire” textbook, and also by other professors who have taught this course including Tyseer Aboulnasr, Stan Matwin, Liam Peyton, Emil Petriu, Claude D’Amours, and Tim Lethbridge.

C. Adams Winter 2015 2

What is engineering??

Root of the word engineering? Engine??

Latin “ingenious”, inginerare = to create

Engineering is the professional art of applying scientific concepts to the optimum conversion of

resources to benefit mankind (Encyclopedia Britannica)


Using scientific methods and problem solving skills to provide

practical, safe, and reliable solutions that benefit society.

Building a machine to squeeze an orange?

Developing a system to build machines to squeeze oranges over and over again in a safe, efficient,

reliable, and economic way!

What is engineering??


What about Science in general?

A scientist tries to understand what happens in nature and to keep searching for better

understanding of our world.

The scientist builds to understand, but

the engineer understands to build…

What’s the difference?


Natural questions…

This is not a technical course – why is it required?

Will I learn something useful? Will I enjoy the course?

My background – why am I teaching this course?


Heart of engineering

Problem solving Product development Usability of products Economics, safety, reliability

Maintaining the high level of trust that society has in our profession


What you may deal with “out there”other than Design

Requirement Specification, Implementation, Maintenance, Sales or Marketing of a product

Management of a project for any of the above

Interaction with the human, legal, policy, safety, health, business and ethical issues that are part and parcel of the product delivery process.


Necessary skills for Engineering

Technical skills Skills necessary to interact with:

Senior Management Engineers in other disciplines Sales Marketing Lawyers Policy / decision makers Customers Society at large


Why a Professional Practice course?

Recognizing your responsibility as an engineer Recognizing the importance of living up to

society’s expectations Recognizing the skill set you need to fulfill this

responsibility Technical skills (“hard skills”) Soft skills Knowledge of related domains

2911 is intended to help you more fully appreciate and respect these other skills and knowledge areas.


Will you be prepared by the end of your degree?

Hard skills: yes Through technical courses

Soft skills and other knowledge: maybe Harder to teach Some must be learned on your own Exposure in humanities courses, extra

curricular activities, 2911, …


What to expect in your education…

Accreditation requirements Math and science Engineering science and

Engineering design Complementary Studies:

humanities, social sciences, arts, management, engineering economics, communication


Engineering Design

“Engineering design integrates mathematics, basic sciences, engineering sciences and complementary studies in developing elements, systems and processes to meet specific needs. It is a creative, iterative, and often open-ended process subject to constraints which may be governed by standards or legislation to varying degrees depending upon the discipline. These constraints may relate to economic, health, safety, environmental, social, or other pertinent interdisciplinary factors.”


Complementary studies

“While considerable latitude is provided in the choice of suitable courses for the complementary studies component of the curriculum, some areas of study are considered to be essential in the education of an engineer. Accordingly, the curriculum must include studies in engineering economics and on the impact of technology on society, and subject matter that deals with central issues, methodologies and thought processes of the humanities and social sciences. Provision must also be made to develop each student’s capability to communicate adequately, both orally and in writing.”


Professionalism

“The program must ensure that students are made aware of the role and responsibilities of the

professional engineer in society.

Appropriate exposure to ethics, equity, public and worker safety and health considerations, and

concepts of sustainable development and environmental stewardship must be an integral

component of the engineering curriculum”


CEAB Graduate Attributes

1. A knowledge base for engineering

2. Problem analysis

3. Investigation

4. Design

5. Use of tools

6. Individual and team work

7. Communication Skills

8. Professionalism

9. Impact on society and the environment

10. Ethics and Equity

11. Economics and project management

12. Life Long Learning


Accreditation of Computing Programs

Provides evidence that computing education meets the standards of the profession

Performed in Canada by the CIPS agency CSAC• Computer Science Accreditation Council• Accredits CS and SE Programs in Canada• Analogous to CEAB that accredits engineering• SE programs accredited by both CSAC and CEAB

CS Accredited programs: http://www.cips.ca/node/288

SE Accredited programs: http://www.cips.ca/node/289

http://www.cips.ca/node/288

http://www.cips.ca/node/289


Accreditation of Computing Programs (cont’d)International recognition of CSAC accreditations through the Seoul Accord

• http://www.seoulaccord.com/• Analogous to the Washington Accord for

engineering and Canberra Accord for architecture• US, Korea, Australia, UK, Canada, Hong Kong,

Taiwan, Japan—Your degree will be recognized for certifications

in these countries

All accreditation agencies are themselves accredited

• AAAC: Association of Accrediting Agencies of Canada

• http://www.aaac.ca

http://www.seoulaccord.com/

http://www.aaac.ca/


Seoul Accord Expected Graduate Attributes1. Academic Education

2. Possess knowledge for solving computing problems• Computing fundamentals, math, science, domain knowledge

3. Ability to analyse complex computing problems

4. Ability to design and develop solutions• Systems, components or processes• Consideration of public health, safety, culture, environment

5. Ability to create, use and adapt modern computing tools

6. Ability to work both in teams and individually• As a member or leader, and in a multidisciplinary context

7. Communication skills (written and presentation)

8. Professionalism

9. Understand and commit to principles of ethics

10. Commitment to life-long learning


Why should you really care? Engineering is a profession legislated by the government What engineers do impacts and is impacted by laws What engineers do impacts and is impacted by business Engineers have technological knowledge that gives them

significant power to affect society because of the scale and nature of their projects (e.g., water, roads, comm’s)

Power is sometimes good, sometimes bad. But it always has a huge impact!This course asks you to think about the impact, to consider not just the goals, but also the consequences…


Keep the “big picture” in mind…


What are Professions?

Full-time, paid occupations• recognized in society• as requiring advanced knowledge and/or skill• with at least one association members can or must join• and a code of conduct/ethics.

Some professions are legally recognized• Governments have passed laws recognizing members• In turn, members have a legal responsibility to uphold the

interests of society, above other interests

Others professions are less formal


Legally Recognized Professions(“*” is used to mark places where the name be disputed)

A. Professions with practice-restricting licenses in many jurisdictions• Practice, or aspects of practice, limited to license holders

• Medicine, Dentistry, Chiropractic, Pharmacy, Law, School Teaching, Engineering (e.g., in Canada), Architecture

—Some licensed professions in Ontario http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/working/career/

—Licensed professions in New York State http://www.op.nysed.gov/title8.htm

• *Divinity (those licensed can perform marriages, etc.)

• Those requiring less education are commonly called ‘trades’—*Truck Driving, (required training and driver’s license)—*Hairdressing, barbering

http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/working/career/

http://www.op.nysed.gov/title8.htm


Legally recognized professions (cont’d)

B. Professions with signoff-restricting licenses or certifications • A licensed/certified person must approve certain types of work

done, but may delegate most of the work to others

• Anyone may ‘do certain of the work’, but members have a legal basis to state to others that they are competent

• Engineering (in some places), Financial Analysis (CFA), Chartered Accountancy (CA), Certified Management Accountancy (CMA), certain ‘trades’ (*Electrician, *Plumber)

C. Professions with legal standing but where there is no license issued nor legal requirement for signoff of work

• Information Systems Professional (I.S.P.) in Canada


Professions without legal recognition

D. Professions with optional certifications that do not have legal weight

• Software Development (CSDP), Project Management (PMP)

E: Professions not generally licensed or certified, but where a degree or diploma provides evidence of competence

• *Scientist (various types), Journalist

F: Other professions or trades where an apprenticeship model is typically followed

• *Mason

G. Professions where the limiting factor is simply that you must have sufficient skill or knowledge that someone is willing to pay you enough to do it full time

• *University Professor, *Sport player (Hockey, Golf, Football), *Actor, *Artist, *Musician, *Politician


Key attribute of a profession

Public recognition: Others outside profession X understand what a member of profession X does and can do

• So outsiders know who to consult when they want some service• So outsiders can feel confident they are getting work done by

someone competent

To ensure public recognition: There must beA. A defined scope of practiceB. A recorded body of knowledge (principles, facts, best practices,

required procedures such as the building or plumbing code)C. A code of ethics

—consequences when it is violatedD. Methods to educate/train, accredit education, and ensure

continuing educationE. Well-understood criteria for membershipF. Organizations to establish and administer the above


So what does it mean to exhibit professionalism?

Obtain the required education and ongoing education (D)

Adhere to the code of ethics (C)

Apply the principles and knowledge properly (B)

Practice within the scope of your expertise (A, D) and defer to others when boundaries are reached

Obtain and maintain appropriate credentials (E)

Participate in the appropriate professional organizations (F)


Other attributes of many professionsMembership and practice may be limited or controlled

• As opposed to ‘de-facto’

The profession may be self-governing• The profession controls all attributes on the previous slide • Members are disciplined by their organization

There may be legal recognition and responsibility• Includes the concept of malpractice, professional misconduct

Being a professional may confer respectability• status / social privilege

Professionals may enter private practice with individual clients

Professionals may enjoy work autonomy• You are able to control aspects of how you do your work, even

when working for an employer• Your responsibility to society and your profession comes first in

case of conflict


Is this interest in professionalism and ethics new?


Responsibility!!!Code of Hammurabi

(law of the Babylonian king, ca. 1760 BC)

If a builder build a house for a man and does not make its construction firm, and the house which he has built collapse and cause the death of the owner of the house, that builder shall be put to death.

If it cause the death of the son of the owner of the house, then they shall put to death a son of that builder.

If it cause the death of a slave of the owner of the house, then they shall give to the owner of the house a slave of equal value.

If a builder build a house and do not make its construction meet the requirements and a wall fall in, that builder shall strengthen the wall at his own expense.

If it destroy property, he shall restore whatever it destroyed, and because he did not make the house which he built firm and it collapsed, he shall rebuild the house which collapsed from his own property.

(From “To Engineer is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design”, by Henry Petroski.)


That sounds like it’s important for civil engineers…

How about electrical/computer/software engineers? Is their work “safety critical”?

Examples?

Relevance?


Safety Critical ELG/CEG/SEG/CSI products

Power generation and transmission Space shuttle Medical image processing for diagnosis Computer assisted surgery Telephone lines 9-1-1 emergency network Cell phones


Artificial Heart



Shuttle Remote Manipulator System


Ceramic joint


The price of failure can be

HUGE!!!!


Impact of Engineering and Computer Science

on Society

Expert Witnesses Electrical, computer, and

software examples of impact on society…


CDs, DVDs, video games, Internet, patient simulators, biomedical image processing, ...


The bigger the project, the harder it is to see the final impact

(Sometimes, the smaller the project, the harder it is to see the final impact…)

This does not mean it is not there!


2911: Ethical Considerations

I know I can do it

but

should I do it?


Is it safe? Is it legal? Is it just? Is it right?

2911: Ethical Considerations


The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer has been instituted with the simple end of directing the newly qualified engineer toward a consciousness of the profession and its social significance and indicating to the more experienced engineer their responsibilities in welcoming and supporting the newer engineers when they are ready to enter the profession.

It is all in the ring…- Ethics in engineering is symbolized by the iron ring


Iron ring

The Iron Ring may be worn on the little finger of the working hand by any engineer who has been obligated at an authorized ceremony of the Ritual of the Calling of the Engineer.

The ring symbolizes the pride which engineers have in their profession, while simultaneously reminding them of their humility.

The ring serves as a reminder to the engineer and others of the engineer's obligation to live by a high standard of professional conduct.

It is not a symbol of qualification as an engineer - this is determined by the provincial and territorial licensing bodies.


The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer

An obligation taken by graduating engineering students to bind themselves upon “honour and cold iron” to not “suffer or pass, or be privy to the passing of, bad workmanship or faulty material” in anything concerning their work as engineers, or in dealings with their own souls before their maker.


Responsibility is huge… Henry Petroski

“When I was a student of engineering I came to fear the responsibility that I imagined might befall me after graduation. How, I wondered, could I ever be perfectly sure that something I might design would not break or collapse and kill a number of people? I knew my understanding of textbooks was less than total, my homework was seldom without some sort of error, and my grades were not straight A’s.


Responsibility is huge… Henry Petroski

This disturbed me for some time , and I wondered why my classmates, both A and C students, were not immobilized by the same phobia. The topic never came to the surface of our conservations, however, and I avoided confronting the issue by going to graduate school instead of taking an engineering job right away.


Responsibility!

Since then, I have come to realize that my concern was not unique among engineering students, and indeed many if not all students experienced self doubts about success and fears of failure. The medical student worries about losing a patient, the lawyer about losing a crucial case.

But, if we all were to retreat with phobias from respective jobs, we would cause exactly what we wished to avoid.

It is thus that we practice whatever we do with as much assiduousness as we can command…”

Henry Petroski (Then we rely on our peers & betters in the profession, professional associations

and oversight committees, laws / regulations / best practices, etc.)


ELG/SEG/CSI 2911

Exposure to the profession of engineering and the licensing process

Exposure to non-technical aspects of the professional practice of Eng./CS

Plant the seeds for some important questions that we hope will stay in your head throughout your career (and beyond…)


Course Material

Texts (2) are in Agora and in the university bookstore

Lecture slides and presentations by speakers will be on website (whenever possible)

The final exam questions will be drawn from all material discussed in class (based on the available slides and the relevant chapters of the course texts)


Invited Speakers

They are here out of the goodness of their hearts to help you with the course material. Respect and professional conduct are expected

Attendance and punctuality are mandatory Remain in the classroom for the duration of the

presentation Be attentive and polite (no “side” conversations,

no open laptops or other distracting devices) Show interest (e.g., ask questions, offer relevant

comments)


Student declaration

I have read the document “Beware of plagiarism” and I am aware of the zero tolerance policy in the course whereby all acts of plagiarism will be reported to the Faculty Executive.

I understand that ethical conduct and a professional attitude are expected throughout the course. I understand that failing to demonstrate such conduct will result in serious consequences.

I understand that I am responsible for maximizing my own learning experience.

I understand that I am expected to participate in respectful discussions in class.


I understand that I will work within a team for some portion of this course. I understand that I have a responsibility towards my team members to ensure the necessary work is done on time and with the highest quality I am capable of achieving.

I understand that it is my responsibility to seek help if I am having problems in the course.

I have read the course handout. I understand the expectations with regard to workload, conduct, and the final exam.

I understand that exceptions to any given deadline will require prior approval (well in advance) and must have very special/valid reasons.

Student declaration (cont’d)


Questions?

Documents

C. Adams, 2015 ELG/SEG/CSI 2911 Professional Practice Carlisle Adams, Ph.D., P.Eng. Office: STE 5035 [email protected] cadams Some