Course syllabus for The engineer in society

Course syllabus adopted 2024-02-05 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameIngenjören och samhället
  • CodeTEK391
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTIEPL
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyIndustrial Engineering and Management
  • ThemeMTS 7.5 c
  • DepartmentTECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 68128
  • Maximum participants60
  • Minimum participants15
  • Open for exchange studentsNo

Credit distribution

0124 Written and oral assignments 7.5 c
Grading: TH
0 c0 c0 c7.5 c0 c0 c

In programmes

Examiner

Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

No specific prerequisites.

Aim

The purpose of the course is to prepare the engineering students for a professional role in interplay with a complex society and deepen the student¿s understanding regarding the role of and development of the engineering profession in a historical perspective. The course also aims at increasing the understanding among the future engineers of the intended as well as the unintended consequences of technology - and highlight, on the basis of concepts like power, influence and responsibility - the position of technology and the engineer in society. One important starting point is the changeability and development of the engineering profession, technology, and the industrial production, in relation to the surrounding society.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)


Knowledge and Understanding
    Understand the development and role of the engineering profession and engineering education from a historical perspective.
    Understand that technological development is influenced by and influences changes in the surrounding world.
    Show a fundamental understanding of the interplay between gender and technology from a historical perspective.

Skill and competence
    Demonstrate the ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas related to technology and production development.
    Demonstrate the ability to search for, critically evaluate, discern, and use relevant information.
    Demonstrate the ability to communicate both orally and in writing, in both Swedish and international contexts.

Values and Attitudes
    Have some knowledge of other scientific disciplines and approaches, as well as some ability to apply them to understand the role of technology and the engineer in society.
    Have the ability to make ethical considerations in both professional and societal contexts.

Content

The first part of the course treats the rise and development of the engineering profession and the engineering education in a historical perspective. The second part of the course treats the rise and development of the industrial production from the perspective of history of technology. The third and last part of the course treats the modern industrial production - its pre-conditions and effects.

Organisation

The teaching is done partially through a theory section with lectures as well as practice sessions such as discussion tasks.

Literature

Indicated at the start of course.

Examination including compulsory elements

To pass the course you need to pass the oral and written assignments (Grade 3). For higher grades 4 and 5, you need to successfully complete a voluntary extra assignment that will be introduced during the course. Grading scale 5, 4, 3, fail.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.