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2019　Ethics of Scientists and Engineers D

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Academic unit or major
Career development courses
Instructor(s)
Fudano Jun  Akagi Hirofumi 
Class Format
Lecture     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Wed9-10(J221)  
Group
D
Course number
LAC.C621
Credits
1
Academic year
2019
Offered quarter
4Q
Syllabus updated
2019/10/1
Lecture notes updated
2019/12/5
Language used
Japanese
Access Index

Course description and aims

In this course, the word “scientists” is used in a broad sense. According to the Science Council of Japan, the word "refers to researchers and specialists engaged in activities that create new knowledge, or in the use and application of scientific knowledge, in all academic fields ranging from humanities and social sciences to natural sciences, regardless of which institution they belong to." (The Science Council of Japan, “The Code of Conduct for Scientists”; thus, engineers are included.) The first aim of this course is to examine the values which scientists have to share through careful reading of various codes of conduct including those at Tokyo Institute of Technology. Then, by examining real cases of research misconduct and through e-learning (eAPRIN), students learn and understand basic terms and concepts such as “Academic Integrity,” "Responsible Conduct of Research," "Questionable Research Practice," "Research Misconduct," and “Compliance,” and they not only raise their ethical sensitivity but also acquire problem solving skills by learning the ethical decision-making method called "Seven Step Guide." In addition, through case studies, they examine causes of accidents, scandals, and research misconduct and obtain knowledge and skills to design "ethics programs" which can be implemented in their respective practicing and research environments in order to prevent such unethical behaviors and to promote responsible conduct of engineering practice and research. Furthermore, the students learn the educational and learning objectives of science and engineering ethics education as well as educational methods to achieve those objectives, and design an ethics education program which is appropriate to their respective engineering and research context.

Student learning outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to
1) explain basic concepts such as “Academic Integrity,” "Responsible Conduct of Research," "Questionable Research Practice," "Research Misconduct," and “Compliance” by using concrete cases
2) demonstrate that they have fundamental knowledge on responsible conduct of research by completing the e-learning program called "eAPRIN<"CITI Japan>"
3) propose solutions for ethical problems using decision-making methods such as "Seven Step Guide."
4) explain major causes of ethical problems including research misconduct, by illustrating with real cases.
5) explain the necessity of "ethics program" and propose such programs which are appropriate to their own context.
6) explain the educational and learning objectives of science and engineering ethics education as well as educational methods to achieve those objectives

Keywords

Code of Conduct for Scientists, Academic Integrity, Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), Questionable Research Practice (QRP), Misconduct, Compliance, Ethics Program, Ethics Education In Context

Competencies that will be developed

✔ Specialist skills ✔ Intercultural skills ✔ Communication skills ✔ Critical thinking skills ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

This course is conducted in the mode of active learning incorporating group discussions and indivisual presentations. Thus, active participation in course activities is inevitable for successful completion of the course. A hybrid-type e-learning, i.e. combination of e- learning and group discussions, is an important component of the course.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 December 4 (Wednesday), 16：50-18:20, Suzukakedai J232 1) Course guidance (contents, assignments, and policy) 2) Lecture on the educational and learning objectives of science and engineering ethics education as well as educational methods 3) Video on research misconduct 1) After the first class, read the textb thoroughly. 2) After the class, read thoroughly the given in the class
Class 2 December 11 (Wednesday), 16：50-18:20, Suzukakedai J232 1) Lecture on values which engineers and scientists should share 2) Lecture on research ethics program 3) Lecture on research ethics education in context 1) Submit an assignment on the code which a learned society to which you 2) Submit an assignment on the Code Scientists of SCJ
Class 3 December 18 (Wednesday), 16：50-18:20, Suzukakedai J232 1) Lecture on educational methods and tools for ethics education in context: Part 1 2) Group discussion on how to implement ethics education program in each laboratory: Part 1 1) Submit an assignment on "The Lab" 2) Submit an assignment on research program
Class 4 December 25 (Wednesday), 16：50-18:20, Suzukakedai J232 1) Lecture on educational methods and tools for ethics education in context: Part 2 2) Group discussion on how to implement ethics education program in each laboratory: Part 2 1) Submit a response sheet on research misconduct cases
Class 5 January 8 (Wednesday), 16：50-18:20, Suzukakedai J232 1) Examination of real-world cases 2) Methods of ethical decision making 3) Ethics education by the case method 1) Prepare and submit a report on a research misconduct case
Class 6 January 15 (Wednesday), 16：50-18:20, Suzukakedai J232 1) Student presentations on ethics program and discussion 1) Prepare a draft report on an ethics for the research lab to which you belong 2) Prepare a presentation on the above ethics program 3) Submit a certificate of completion eAPRIN program
Class 7 January 22 (Wednesday), 16：50-18:20, Suzukakedai J232 1) Student presentations on ethics education in context and discussion 1) Prepare a draft report on an ethics module for the research lab to which belong 2) Prepare a presentation on the above module
Class 8 January 29 (Wednesday), 16：50-18:20, Suzukakedai J232 １）Reflective discussion on science and engineering ethics education at Tokyo Tech 1) Submit the final report on the ethics program 2) Submit the final report on the ethics education module education module

Textbook(s)

JSPS, For the Sound Development of Science -The Attitude of a Conscientious Scientist-, 2015

Other materials will be distributed at the first class meeting

Reference books, course materials, etc.

CITI Japan
JSPS e-learning Course
Japan Science and Technology Agency, "The Lab"

Other materials will be introduced at the first class meeting

Assessment criteria and methods

1) Response Sheets and other assignments (10%)
2) Report on Ethics Program (30%)
3) Report on Ethics Education in Context (30%)
3) eAPRIN（20%）
4) Participation and contribution to class activities including discussion (10%)

Related courses

  • Other career courses
  • LAH.S402 ： Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences2:Ethics in Engineering
  • LAC.M521 ： Ethics of Scientists (Master Course)
  • LAH.T105 ： Ethics in Engineering A
  • LAH.T206 ： Ethics in Engineering B
  • LAH.T305 ： Ethics in Engineering C

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

No specific prerequisites

Contact information (e-mail and phone)    Notice : Please replace from "[at]" to "@"(half-width character).

fudano.j.aa[at]m.titech.ac.jp
iidpinfo[at]jim.titech.ac.jp
(Please make sure to Indicate your name and affiliation)

Office hours

Wednesdays, 13:00-15:00

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