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Professional issues in Civil and Natural Resources Engineering. Society and environment, ethics, communication skills, historical developments, future engineering issues, and system thinking.
MotivationMuch of a professional engineer’s work relies less on the “technical” skills and knowledge developed at university and more on the “professional” competencies in which that technical knowledge is applied. This is reflected in the Competency Profiles developed by IPENZ for graduate engineers; it includes the following items:1. Investigation and Research: Able to recognise when further information is needed and be able to find it by identifying, evaluating and drawing conclusions from all pertinent sources of information.2. Teamwork: Function effectively in a team by being able to work cooperatively with the capacity to lead or manage a team.3. Communication: Communicate clearly by being able to comprehend and produce effective reports and design documentation, summarise information, make effective oral presentations and to give and receive clear oral instructions.4. The Engineer and Society: Be aware of the role of engineers and their responsibility to society by demonstrating understanding of the general responsibilities of a professional engineer.Some of these skills have been touched on in other courses, but usually as peripheral issues to particular technical tasks. However, this course will focus on the development of these skills specifically, using some projects past, present and future from Civil/Natural Resources Engineering to provide suitable context.
At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:Apply reasoning informed by contextual knowledge to assess societal, health, safety, legal, and cultural issues.Apply ethical principles, and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities and norms in engineering practice.Prepare to engage in independent and life-long learning in the broadest context of technological change.Improve communication skills, with an emphasis on development of an argument and conveying complex concepts.
ENCN301 (in 2014 and beyond)
ENCI403
Tom Cochrane
Kim Parrent
Late assignments will have 20% deducted, and an additional 20% for each full day late, unless prior arrangement has been made. While a minimum of 50% of the overall course marks is required for passing, you must also achieve at least 50% on the ethics part of the examination.
For guidance with communication skills used in this course, students are required to have a copy of the Department’s Communications Portfolio Guide (2nd edition), which can be purchased from University Bookshop for ~$30. This will also serve as a useful reference for your future engineering career.Students are also expected to monitor Learn regularly for any notices about the course and to use it for class/group discussions and queries to lecturers.Students are not permitted to contact the markers and tutors for the course. If students believe that additional contact with the markers/tutors will be beneficial, please approach the course co-ordinator to see what can be arranged.All course communication will be managed through Learn. Students are expected to read the emails received through Learn and consult Learn for past news notices.
Domestic fee $1,038.00
International fee $5,000.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
This course will not be offered if fewer than 15 people apply to enrol.
For further information see Civil and Natural Resources Engineering .