Designing teaching and assessment tools for an integrated engineering ethics curriculum

In 1996, the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan adopted an across-the-curriculum approach for teaching engineering ethics as part of the implementation of a new curriculum-Curriculum 2000. This paper describes the implementation of that decision, looking at the limitations and goals that shaped curriculum design; the strategic plan for weaving an ethics thread through the curriculum; the underlying teaching philosophy followed; the development of Web resources to support the teaching effort, plans for assessment; and finally prospects for the future. It is concluded that with proper planning, commitment and support, engineering faculty can, in the normal course of teaching in regular courses, help students develop a sufficient "understanding of professional and ethical responsibility" to satisfy EC 2000.