Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Spring 2015
ENGR 398
Professional Communication for Engineers
Spring 2015
CONTACT INFORMATION
Instructors:
Demonstrate knowledge and application of the principles of professionalism and codes of ethics among
practicing engineers.
Describe the legal environment for matters of intellectual property and the practices and policies of
academic technology transfer.
Identify the principal issues involved in engineering entrepreneurship and design.
Demonstrate an understanding of the global, cultural, and contextual impact of engineering solutions.
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ENGR 398
Spring 2015
COURSE MATERIALS
Selected readings (PDFs and web links) will be available on ENGR 398 Blackboard site
WORK COMMITMENTS
Attendance & Participation: You are expected to attend all ENGR 398 lectures, to arrive on time, and to be
prepared for the days topic. You will be granted one free absence for any reason. Starting with the second
absence, five (5) points will be deducted from your attendance grade for each additional absence. Attendance
grades may be negative (e.g., if you miss four class sessions, your attendance grade would be -5), and you must
be present in class to take and receive credit for the reading quizzes.
Reading Quizzes: Throughout the semester, a total of 11 quizzes will be given to test your understanding of key
points from both assigned readings and guest lectures. Quizzes will be distributed at the beginning of the class
period and collected promptly at 11:40. Each quiz will usually be based on the prior weeks lecture and
assigned readings. Neither make-ups nor additional time will be granted without prior arrangement (and then
only under reasonable circumstances). While you will take 11 quizzes throughout the semester, your grade will
be calculated based on the top 10 scores you earn. Quizzes will not be re-graded except for calculation errors
but you are welcome to make an appointment with Prof. Wnek to discuss your answers and/or study strategies.
GRADING
Your final grade for this course will be calculated based on the following:
Assignment
Attendance
Reading Quizzes (9 @ scaled to 10 points each)
Grading Scale:
Grade
Total Score
A
90-100
B
80-89
C
70-79
D
60-69
F
59
Points
10
90
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ENGR 398
Spring 2015
COURSE SCHEDULE
Note: Readings and assignments are due on the day that they are listed below. This schedule is subject to
revision; changes will be announced in class. Abbreviation: BB = Articles or Selections available online.
Date
Week 1
1/13
Week 2
1/20
Professional Communication
Prof. Sunniva Collins, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Read: (1) Davis, M. (1998). A History of Engineering in the United States. In Thinking
Like an Engineer (pp.18-30). New York: Oxford University Press; (2) Goldberg, D.E.
(2006). Entrepreneurial Engineer: Ready for the 21st Century. In The Entrepreneurial
Engineer (pp. 1-9); (3) Engineering Value Propositions: Professional and Personal
Needs by Wnek and Williamson (21st-Century Engineer folder on BB)
Week 3
1/27
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ENGR 398
Date
Week 4
2/3
Spring 2015
Week 5
2/10
On-line Research CWRU Library Resources; The ENGR 398 Research Guide
Brian Gray, Librarian & Research Services for Chemical Engineering and
Macromolecular Science & Engineering, Kelvin Smith Library
Read: http://www.fastcoexist.com/3036939/4-ways-academic-libraries-are-adapting-forthe-future
Optional reading KSL annual report: http://library.case.edu/ksl/annualreport/2013
Quiz #3 based on Week 4 lecture
Week 6
2/17
Week 7
2/24
Week 8
3/3
(Week 9 Spring
Break)
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ENGR 398
Date
Week 10
3/17
Spring 2015
Week 11
3/24
Week 12
3/31
Week 13
4/7
Ethics in Engineering
Jared Schnall, CWRU EMAC alum and retired BP Chemicals Executive
Read: Lloyd, P., & Busby, J. (2003). Things That Went Well. Science and Engineering
Ethics, 9,503-516; IEEE Code of Ethics; Weil, V. (2002). Engineering Ethics. In R.E.
Spier (Ed.), Science and Technology Ethics (pp.59-88). London: Routledge.
Quiz #10 based on Week 12 lecture and readings
Week 14
4/14
Week 15
4/21
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