Department of Systems Engineering

Faculty of Engineering
University of Lagos.

Course Code: GEG 228

Course Title: ENGINEER IN SOCIETY

Course Unit: (1,0) Lecture 3

Academic Session: 2017/2018
Lecturer
Engr. (Dr.) Kehinde. O. Orolu MNSE, Registered
Systems Engineer 1
 The Engineering Professional Organ
WHAT IS A PROFESSION?

This is a vocation founded upon specialized

educational training, the purpose of which is to
supply objective counsel and service to others,
for a direct and definite compensation.

(Source - Wikipedia)
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The Engineering Professional Organ

CHARACTERISTICS OF A PROFESSION:
• EXPERTISE

• CODE OF ETHICS

• MONOPOLY

• AUTONOMY

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 Characteristics of a Profession

¨EXPERTISE
• Command over a body of systematized and standardized
knowledge, developed and updated on behalf of society,
transmitted through recognized channels of training and
examining of new recruits.

¨CODE OF ETHICS
• Which governs the performance of the professional and
defines his relationship with his clients in particular and
society in general.
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 Characteristics of a Profession (cont.)

¨MONOPOLY
• Granted by society through laws that reserve defined functions
solely to members licensed by the profession’s own institutions
as possessing the requisite training and qualifications of
expertise referred to above .

¨AUTONOMY
• A measure of independence granted by society through law to
enable the profession to regulate itself, discipline its members,
and control the practice of the profession without undue
interference from the employer or clients or government.
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 Acquisition of Engineering Expertise

¨Distilled from historical underpinnings:

(Hybrid of Scientist and Craftsman)

• Scientific know how

• Professional practice tutelage.

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 Engineering Code of Ethics

¨Supported by Professional Tripod:

• Fundamental Canons
• Rules of Practice

• Professional Responsibilities /
Obligations
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 Fundamental Canons of Engineering Practice.

1. Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public.

2. Perform services only in the areas of their competence.
3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
5. Avoid deceptive acts.
6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to
enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.
7. Continue their professional development throughout their careers, and
provide opportunities for the professional development of those under
their supervision.

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 Engineering Rules of Practice.
1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and
welfare of the public.

If engineer’s judgment is overruled under circumstances that

endanger life or property, they shall notify their employer or
client and such other authority as may be appropriate
Engineers shall approve only those engineering documents that
are in conformity with applicable standards
Engineers shall not reveal facts, data or information without
prior consent of the client or employer except as authorised or
required by law or this Code
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 Engineering Rules of Practice.
1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health
and welfare of the public. (cont’d)

Engineers shall not permit the use of their name or associate

in business venture with any person or firm that they believe
are engaged in fraudulent or dishonest enterprise.

Engineers having knowledge of any alleged violation of this

Code shall report thereon to appropriate professional bodies
and, when relevant, also to public authorities, and cooperate
with the proper authorities in furnishing such information or
assistance as may be required. 10
 Engineering Rules of Practice.
2. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of
their competence.
Engineers shall undertake assignments only when qualified
by education or experience in the specific technical fields
involved.
Engineers shall not affix their signatures to any plans or
documents dealing with subject matter in which they lack
competence, nor to any plan or document not prepared
under their direction and control.

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 Engineering Rules of Practice.
2. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of
their competence. (cont’d)

Engineers may accept assignments and assume responsibility

for coordination of an entire project and sign and seal the
engineering document for the entire project, provided that
each technical segment is signed and sealed only by the
qualified engineers who prepared the segment.

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 Engineering Rules of Practice.
3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an
objective and truthful manner.
Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional
reports, statements, or testimony. They shall include all
relevant and pertinent information in such reports, statements
or testimony, which would bear the date indicating when it
was current.

Engineers may express publicly technical opinions that are

founded upon knowledge of facts and competence in the
subject matter. 13
 Engineering Rules of Practice.
3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an
objective and truthful manner. (cont’d)
Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments on
technical matters that are inspired or paid for by interested
parties, unless they have prefaced their comments by explicitly
identifying the interested parties on whose behalf they are
speaking, and by revealing the existence of any interest the
engineers may have in the matters.

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 Engineering Rules of Practice.
4. Engineers shall act for each employer or client as faithful agents or
trustees.
 Engineers shall disclose all known or potential conflicts of interest
that could influence or appear to influence their judgment or the
quality of their services.
 Engineers shall not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from
more than one party for services on the same project, or for services
pertaining to the same project, unless the circumstances are fully
disclosed and agreed to by all interested parties.
 Engineers shall not solicit or accept financial or other valuable
consideration, directly or indirectly, from outside agents in connection
with the work for which they are responsible.

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 Engineering Rules of Practice.
4. Engineers shall act for each employer or client as faithful agents
or trustees. (cont’d)
Engineers in public service as members, advisors, or employees of a
governmental or quasi-governmental body or department shall not
participate in decisions with respect to services solicited or provided by
them or their organisations in private or public engineering practice.

Engineers shall not solicit or accept a contract from a governmental body

on which a principal or officer of their organisation serves as a member.

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 Engineering Rules of Practice.
5. Engineers shall avoid deceptive acts.

Engineers shall not falsify their qualifications or permit

misrepresentation of their or their associates’ qualifications. They
shall not misrepresent or exaggerate their responsibility in or for
the subject matter of prior assignments. Brochures or other
presentations incident to the solicitation of employment shall not
misrepresent pertinent facts concerning employers, employees,
associates, joint ventures, or past accomplishments.

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 Engineering Rules of Practice.
5. Engineers shall avoid deceptive acts. (cont’d)

 Engineers shall not offer, give, solicit or receive, either directly or indirectly,
any contribution to influence the award of a contract by public authority, or
which may be reasonably construed by the public as having the effect of
intent to influencing the awarding of a contract. They shall not offer any gift
or other valuable consideration in order to secure work. They shall not pay a
commission, percentage, or brokerage fee in order to secure work, except to
a bonafide employee or bonafide established commercial or marketing
agencies retained by them.

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 ENGINEER’S PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES / OBLIGATIONS.

1. Engineers shall be guided in all their relations by the highest standards

of honesty and integrity.
• Engineers shall acknowledge their errors and shall not distort or alter the facts.
• Engineers shall advice their clients or employers when they believe project will not
be successful.
• Engineers shall not actively participate in strikes, picket lines, or other collective
coercive action.

2. Engineers shall at all times strive to serve the public interest.

3. Engineers shall avoid all conduct or practice that deceives the public.
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 Engineer’s Professional Responsibilities / Obligations.

4. Engineers shall not disclose, without consent, confidential information

concerning the business affairs or technical processes of any present
or former client or employer, or public body on which they serve.

5. Engineers shall not be influenced in their professional duties by

conflicting interests.

6. Engineers shall not attempt to obtain employment or advancement or

professional engagements by untruthfully criticizing other engineers,
or by other improper or questionable methods.
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 Engineer’s Professional Responsibilities / Obligations.

7. Engineers shall not attempt to injure, maliciously or

falsely, directly or indirectly, the professional reputation,
prospects, practice, or employment of engineers.
– Engineers who believe others are guilty of unethical or illegal
practice shall present such information to the proper authority
for action.

8. Engineers shall give credit for engineering work to those

to whom credit is due, and will recognize the proprietary
interests of others.
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 Disciplines and Specialties in Engineering

Aeronautical/Aerospace • Heating, Ventilating,

Engineering Refrigerating and Air
Agricultural Engineering Conditioning Engineering.
Architectural ,, • Industrial Engineering
Automotive ,, • Manufacturing ,,
Biomedical ,, • Materials ,,
Ceramic ,, • Mechanical ,,
Chemical ,, • Metallurgical ,,
Civil ,, • Nuclear ,,
Computer ,, • Ocean ,,
Electrical ,, • Petroleum ,,
Environmental ,, • Robotic ,,
Food • Software ,,
Systems • Structural ,,
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 Brief Description of Some Engineering Discipline
1. Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering: Design and development of technology for
commercial aviation, national defense and space exploration.

2. Agricultural Engineering: Design farms, food processing equipment, livestock

buildings, crop storage. Also irrigation systems, waste removal and drainage.

3. Architectural Engineering: This is the application of Engineering principles to the

design of technical systems of buildings and structure of buildings.

4. Automotive Engineering: A branch of Mechanical Engineering Research alternative

fuel choices, study aerodynamics for fuel efficiency.

5. Biomedical Engineering: The objective in this field is to enhance healthcare by solving

complex medical problems using engineering principles. Notable products include the
pacemaker. Practitioners go into surgical lasers, telemedicine, nuclear medicine, and
clinical computer systems. 23
 Other products include: artificial organs (e.g. hearing aids, kidneys, hearts, blood
oxygenerators, synthetic blood vessels, pacemaker etc).
 prosthetic devices (e.g. arms, legs, hands, feet etc.)
 automated patient monitoring devices for surgery and intensive care
 blood chemistry sensors.
 Computer-aided diagnostic systems
 Medical imaging
 Sports medicine in rehabilitation and physical therapy
 External support devices
6. Chemical Engineering: An intellectually challenging field. Dealing mostly with
manufacturing, pharmaceuticals design and construction of chemical plants, pulp
and paper, petrochemicals, food processing, specialty chemicals, advanced
materials, polymers etc.
7. Computer Engineering: Deals with many aspects of computer systems. It is full of
diverse and exciting opportunities.
8. Civil Engineering: This is one of the oldest and largest branches of Engineering,
planning and designing of roads, bridges, high rises, dams, airports etc.
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9. Electrical and Electronics Engineering: Electrical Engineers specializing in power-
work with motors and generators, design transmission lines and power plants.
10. Environmental Engineering: (used to be called sanitary engineering) focuses on
development of water distribution systems, recycling methods, sewage treatment
plants.
11. Mechanical Engineering: One of the broadest and most diverse disciplines. Mech.
Engineers design, develop and manufacture every kind of vehicle, power system,
machine and tool:
12. Nuclear Engineering: Splitting of atoms to produce useful energy
13. Petroleum Engineering: Identifying and solving problems in the oil and natural gas
industries.
14. Robotic Engineering: Generating field with a wide range of newly developing
applications.
15. Systems Engineering: This is a people-oriented profession, as it helps society to
determine the most effective ways to use all the components of a system: people,
machines, materials, information and energy.
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 Assignment III (Individual)
Engineering Profession

Describe your discipline - its relevance and opportunities in

Nigeria.

List five (5) skill set that will be required to be relevant in your
discipline by year 2023?

Deadline for Submission: Sunday July 29, 2018

To: [email protected]
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