Planned Year of Introduction: 2027
Introduction
This unit develops students' ability to make responsible, ethical, and sustainable engineering decisions. Through an exploration of ethics, legal responsibilities, and environmental impact assessment, students will gain the skills and knowledge needed to balance engineering objectives with all dimensions of sustainability—social, economic, and environmental—and act ethically as professional engineers. Emphasis is placed on pollution management, environmental impact assessments, and quantifiable testing in design, ensuring that students are well-prepared to contribute to climate-safe engineering projects.
Students will continue to engage in the Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) in this unit, where they will apply their learning in collaborative, multi-cohort project environments. VIP runs from year 1 to year 3 in both semesters and involves students working in teams across year levels and specialisations to contribute to real-world design and research challenges related to Climate Safe Engineering. These project experiences will enable students to develop the professional skills necessary for engineering while integrating their technical knowledge. In the second year of the VIP, students will take on increasing responsibility for their team's progress, particularly within their individual design scope.
Summary
| Unit name | Ethics and Environmental Responsibility |
| Unit code | ENG209 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| College/School | Sciences and Engineering School of Engineering |
| Discipline | Engineering|Philosophy |
| Coordinator | Doctor Anna Wrobel-Tobiszewska |
| Available as an elective? | Yes |
| Delivered By | University of Tasmania |
| Level | Intermediate |
Sustainable Development Goals
The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.
Availability
Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August
Learning Outcomes
- Explain and apply ethical principles in engineering, guided by the Engineers Australia (EA) Code of Ethics and legal requirements, to make responsible engineering decisions.
- Identify the elements of environmental impact assessments and strategies for pollution management.
- Integrate specialisation specific outcomes and their contribution to designing and completing engineering projects and systems.
- Collaborate within a multi-year project team by applying engineering principles in a real-world engineering challenge.
Fee Information
2027 fee information will be available in August.
Requisites
Prerequisites
ENG111 Climate Safe Engineering, ENG112 Sustainable and Life-Centred Design, and (ENG106 Civil Engineering Foundations for Civil Specialisation students OR ENG107 Mechanical Engineering Foundations for Mechanical Specialisation Students OR ENG108 Electrical Engineering Foundations for Electrical Specialisation Students)Teaching
| Teaching Pattern | 3 x 2 hour workshop per week |
|---|---|
| Assessment | VIP Demonstration (15%)|Climate Safe Analysis (20%)|Environmental Impact Assessment (30%)|VIP Notebook and Peer Evaluations (35%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes. |
|---|
The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.