Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Course Content
Module 1
Week 1: Ethical concepts of development.
Indicators of development, and the role of
science and technology
Week 2: The contribution of Government to the
process of development and the Nigerian
experience in the process of economic
development (Nigerian Vision 20:2020,
development plans, successes and setbacks)
Week 3: Limits of growth, appropriate
technology and a new world of science and
technology
Course Content
Module 2
Week 4: The inter-relationship of social
ethics and values, and science and
technology
Week 5: Societal needs and resources in
the genesis and development of science
and technology
Week 6: Social problems, impact
assessment, and control of science and
technology. Responsibilities of Engineers.
Science, Technology and Environment
Course Content
Module 3
Week 7: Disruption or enhancement
of environmental quality through
harmful or sound science and
technology in relation to air, space,
water, land, populations, agriculture,
industry, wild life, human
settlements, culture, education etc.
Course Content
Module 4
Week 8: Theistic and secular concepts of
personal, social and professional ethics
Week 9: Codes of conduct of Engineers. Council
for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria
(COREN), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE)
and other professional Engineering Societies
Week 10: Motivation, control, responsibility,
rewards and accountability of engineers and
development of an ethical engineering
professionalism
Week 11: Revisions
Limits of Growth
The agricultural society, family, town and community,
religion, and education have been identified as traditional
value input sources in a persons environment
However the growth of a technologically oriented culture,
with its increased mobility and affluence has altered the
impact of those five traditional value inputs
Technology currently has a significant influence on the
formation of value systems though other forces play a
significant role too
We can conclude that since engineers and scientists are
largely responsible for much of technology, then it is not
unreasonable to say that they may have a significant
influence on the evolutionary path of human value systems
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Limits of growth
The practice of engineering has historically been
affected (+ve and ve) by the forces of society
Simultaneously, engineering, science and
technology have influenced the direction taken
by society
These assertions were true in the past and they
are still true in the present, and the synergetic
effects will likely be greater in the future
An understanding of historical forces will help
engineers place contemporary issues in
perspective
Limits of Growth
Even though advances in technology have
helped improve our way of life, technology has
been blamed for many social ills
But are technologists the force responsible for
the evil side of technology?
A solid case can be made that the responsibility
must be shared by many elements of society,
including scientists and engineers, courts and
judges, politicians and governmental
institutions, economists and managers and the
public
Limits of Growth
In the past , growth of science and
technology has been constrained by
numerous forces such as:
Economics
Theology
Politics
Philosophy
Limits of Growth
Certainly environmental constraints (as we are presently
experiencing) may be significant
Environmental constraint on growth of science and technology
was not an issue in the 19th century
Politics has been a force and shall continue for example through
support of research by making funds available. Engineering on
its part had played significant roles on the rise of cities and
nations e.g. the Industrial Revolution
Religion was a dominant force on the growth of science and
technology in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
(Copernicus (1473-1543, Galileo)
Religion is still a force in the acceptance of some new technologies
and ideas e.g., stem cell research, cloning, global warming,
population control use of contraceptives). Religion shall continue
to be a force
Appropriate Technology
Definition: Appropriate technology is technology
tailored to fit the psychosocial (social institutions,
politics, culture, economics, ethics and the
personal/spiritual needs of individuals) and
biophysical (health, climate, biodiversity and ecology)
context prevailing in a particular location and period.
cheap enough to be accessible to anyone
small-scale application (1st computer)
room for human creativity
Appropriate Technology
Must be accessible
Must not be offensive
Socially acceptable
Safe
Economical (affordable)
Function (must solve the problem)
Aesthetically appealing (fanciful)
Constructability (achievable)
Sustainability
Sustainable development: the
challenge of meeting human need for
natural resources, industrial
products, energy, food,
transportation, shelter, and effective
waste management while conserving
and protecting environmental quality
and the natural resource base
essential for future development
Sustainability
Four types of sustainability are:
Energy resource sustainability
Ecological sustainability
Soil sustainability
Environmental sustainability
Humanities
Humanities are branches of knowledge that address human
culture and include:
History: The branch of knowledge that records and analyses past events
Language: The means of communicating thoughts, feelings, meaning, or
intent with a special emphasis on transmitting knowledge of a culture
Philosophy: A system of inquiry into the nature of beliefs and values
based on logical reasoning rather than empirical investigations and
evidence, or the use of reasoned argument techniques to examine the
nature, scope, and limits of existence, knowledge, and morals.
Fine Arts: Creative works intended to invoke contemplative delight or
thought rather than for utilization
Literature: Communications, usually written and often imaginative,
produced by learned scholars for transmitting ideas
Architecture: The art and science of design, usually structures, for
orderly proportioning
Humanities
Values (creativity, feelings, ideas, emotions, variety, enjoyment and aesthetics) are
inherent to the humanities whereas utility is the central focus of courses in engineering.
Imaginative expression is important to engineering design
Knowledge of the humanities with its emphasis on creative thought complements the
emphasis placed on utility in engineering
A knowledge of philosophy would enable an engineer to appreciate the aesthetic value of
a wetland; facilitate research about new materials in engineering design; use rationalism
and empiricism in integrating observations and the results of experimental studies
The public wants bridges and buildings that are aesthetically pleasing not just functional
Without some knowledge of the humanities, design engineers may place too much
emphasis on utility rather than on aesthetics, thus producing a skyline that fails to be
aesthetically appealing
A complete design therefore should acknowledge the aesthetic, ethical and historical
considerations that are involved in making an engineering design complete
The design engineer needs to understand and appreciate the benefits of a design that
reflects the culture and goals of that society
Engineers must recognize how engineering impacts society and vice versa.
Therefore knowledge of the humanities is essential for a professional to meet his or her
responsibilities in the society
Humanities
Humanities
Art and engineering design- The understanding of the fine
arts can be personally rewarding, it can also improve an
engineers ability to design effectively. The branches of art
include sculpture, painting, drawing, architecture, literature,
drama, music, and dance. The core characteristics from arts
which are relevant to engineering are:
Balance: A sense of visual symmetry for the sectors of the art piece
Proportion: An artist uses proportions of objects in a picture to control
the feelings of the viewer by placing emphasis on certain objects within
the art piece. However an unrealistic proportion may be used for
emphasis and seem to be injudicious by the rational viewer, but it may
be the artists way of invoking the viewers thoughts and feelings
Variety: Variations in colour, shading, and object shapes can add
variety to art, which can invoke feelings in the viewer
Unity: while variety is important to keep the artwork from being
mundane, unity is necessary to ensure that the artwork as a whole is
seen as a single idea or concept
Humanities
Importance of language to a professional (means of
communicating thoughts and feelings)
To a professional, persuasion, motivation and transmitting knowledge
are extremely important elements of language.
Language helps to persuade a client that your firm is the best one to
complete the job , express reasons why your design solution is best,
refute irrational reasons of competitors, motivate subordinates to work
toward organization goals, make oral and written communications more
effective
Foreign language studies can enhance understanding of other cultures
and business relations with foreign businesses
The study of language involves both grammar and vocabulary
Language skills are central to persuasion (inability to persuade might
hinder rise to leadership). Persuasion is the process of changing the
attitudes , behaviour, or beliefs of another person through the use of
language
Humanities
Humanities and cultural perspective
Culture is the socially transmitted behaviour patterns, beliefs,, and institutions of a
community
An understanding of the culture in which an engineer designs is essential to how the
design meets the needs of society
The study of literature involves the analysis of the thoughts embedded in the literary
works and their societal implications
Religious studies can provide perspective on the values of others through the study
of history, moral principles, and interconnectedness of different religion. A study on
world religions can provide knowledge of the morals and values of a people in other
countries that may impact their decisions in engineering design and their attitudes at
workplace.
Understanding culture through philosophy, literature, and religious studies allows
engineers to understand how they should approach design and the scope of the
designs impact on society
Reading novels can provide insight into the ways that machines change society and
the value conflicts that may confront engineering management in the future
When reading fiction, it is important to view the events and characters in a broader
context especially considering the potential application to the engineering culture
Humanities
Humanities relevant to personal and
professional development
Role of curiosity in advancement (a dominant
force in the advancement of science and
engineering, for the engineering profession
to solve the problems of the future, civil
engineers will need to develop new
knowledge, this requires curiosity, the
attitude of wanting to know and learn about
problems and their solutions)
Humanities
The creation and evaluation of new knowledge in the humanities (similar to
what obtains in engineering). A few questions related to new knowledge in the
humanities are as follows:
History: What was the publics perception of risk about traveling on public transportation
during the era of steam boiler explosions? How does it differ from the perception of risk
now?
Language: Does text message have an effect on language development?
Philosophy: Has increased environmental concern changed the concept of nature?
Architecture: Has the threat or terrorism influenced architectural design?
Social Sciences
How do people collectively react during a
natural disaster?
Why are some individuals confident while
others are fearful of interacting with others?
Is economic growth and environmental
preservation a zero-sum game? Or can
economics provide insight into ways of
curbing environmental destruction?
Does engineering benefit from social
research or even research in general?
Social Sciences
Should engineers be concerned about human behaviour?
Attitude development? The environment versus economics
quandary?
If yes , then social science courses in sociology, psychology,
economics, anthropology, history, geography and political science
are of professional and personal benefit
Knowledge from the social sciences can contribute to:
Team management
Teaching and learning
Preparing and dealing with natural disasters
Land use planning
Mass transportation design
Consumer markets
Risk analysis
Environmental solutions
Social Sciences
Definitions:
Social science refers to the study of society,
including individual or group relationships
Sociology: The study of human social behaviour
Psychology: The science of behaviour, including the
emotional and behavioural characteristics of
individuals and groups
Economics: The management of materials,
personnel, or business activities
Political science: The study of government
processes, principles, and structures of political
institutions
Social Sciences
Importance of the Social Sciences to engineering:
Group dynamics of teams within an engineering company
Human behaviour during accidents
Leaders helping subordinates to overcome
Planning for evacuation of burning buildings
Helping a politician develop a public policy on
environmental sustainability
Human reactions during natural disasters
The role of government in clean-up after a disaster
The reactions of people during disruption to lifelines
The movement of people in land use planning
Consideration of risk factors in project economics
Social Sciences
Engineering services are delivered to people through
social mechanisms, thus it is important to understand
that social sciences are foundational to effective service
by those in engineering profession
Engineering applies the scientific methods of the social
sciences to real problems
The study of social sciences allows engineers to
understand how to work within a social framework and
consider nontechnical ramifications of their actions and
decisions
The process of development, delivery, and evaluation of
solutions that improve society are also enhanced
through the study of social sciences
Social Sciences
Interpersonal skills and the social sciences
Knowledge of sociology, anthropology, and psychology can enhance
interpersonal skills in the workplace. Engineers work in teams on projects.
Principles of team building, intervention into groups with personnel
problems , and problems with motivation are issues addressed in courses
on sociology and psychology
As globalization becomes more embedded within engineering practice,
more engineers will need to have an appreciation of worldwide cultures
Social sciences provide insight into how to critique others effectively and
understand the personal motivations of others
They also provide engineers with strategies to work effectively within
alternative organizational structures
An understanding of varied backgrounds and attitudes allows a engineer at
managerial level to be an effective communicator within a team or
organization
Knowledge of the social sciences would also enable engineers to mentor
and teach upcoming engineers effectively
Social Sciences
Physical geography and design for natural disasters
Geography goes beyond learning the names of places and
knowing the processes related to the formation of mountains.
An understanding of principles of physical geography would
enable engineers to properly design structures. It would also
enable engineers to effectively deal with the effects of natural
disasters and possibly putting measures in place that would
curtail the effects of such natural effects should they occur
A knowledge of physical geography also helps in knowing the
classification and characteristics of climate. It could also be of
value in handling sustainability issues.
Its relevant generally in knowing more on natural resources,
hydro-electric, wind, and geothermal power, and soil erosion
and conservation
Social Sciences
Engineering and economic impact
Engineering is a people-serving profession that also involves
business transactions. Therefore the practice of engineering
requires knowledge of economics
An engineer should be able to ascertain the economic viability of a
project or design. A new design or project can create an entirely
new market, and thus impact the economy
Fro example, the automobile created markets for transportation
systems, auto repair services, and insurance services, and spurred
the development of the petroleum, iron, steel and rubber industries
General economic principles studied in economics and business
courses are of primary importance to practicing engineers
Risk and uncertainty are central to economic decision making.
Weather conditions, labour problems, machine failures, theft and
collapses are some of such.
Social Sciences
Regional economics, land use, and
transportation planning
Ta knowledge of these would enable
engineers to apply economic concepts
during projects related to location, labour,
and capital migration, and public policies
related to urban growth. Many these are
related to distribution and use of natural
resources which are related to sustainability
and environmental management
Social Sciences
Analysis of engineering problems
with social science implications
Natural disasters
Environmental issues
Statements of Principle
Engineering design encompasses
three key stages of realisation
Need- all design begins with a clearly
defined need
Vision-all designs arise from a creative
response to a need
Delivery- all designs result in a system,
product or project that meets the need
Need
The first principle requires recognising and understanding the
nature of society, economics and humanitys needs
Reason, compassion, service and curiosity all contribute to the
definition of need.
Defining the need is a multidisciplinary task-carried out by
either a selected team of experts, or by an experiences and
multi-skilled individual
The skills required are not exclusively engineering but include
economic and political skills, and knowledge of marketing and
industrial management
It is important that a clear definition of the need is formulated,
with the reasons for the decisions given
There must be commitment at the highest level and maximum
feedback from earlier developments
Vision
The second principle is the conception and management of a
creative vision to meet the need. It requires the ability to think
laterally, to anticipate the unexpected-and to appreciate the
aesthetics of problem solving as well as the material aspect
The ethos within which the problem id being addressed must
be understood
Design development is an iterative process, so a good
relationship with the need-defining team is essential. The
perceived needs may change during this stage
Evaluation of the concept requires a full understanding of the
need as formulated, as well as the delivery constraints likely to
affect the design formulation
The designer needs too know the market constraints and
production processes
Vision contd.
The controlling team or individual must have access to
all necessary specialist advice.
On larger scale projects, the management of the various
inputs must be strong and effective without inhibiting
creative thinking
On smaller projects, good self-discipline is necessary to
ensure that the development does not deviate from the
perceived need. External advice must be well
coordinated, and its role in the design development
understood.
Specialist consultants must appreciate the total context
and aims of the project, which should not be confused
by individual disciplinary objectives
Delivery
The final principle involves delivering a solution to a recognised need
This requires assembling and managing resources and team
members with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to create
an appropriate and efficient design
As the scale and complexity of projects increase, so does the need to
define a clear management structure and the relationship of the
design components to the whole project.
Smaller projects may permit more flexibility, but engineers need to
take care to avoid making too many alterations on the basis of
manufacturing expediency
The original and formulated aims and proposals should provide the
platform for the production activities
There should be regular team reviews to ensure continuity of
concept, as well as testing and management to ensure a high and
consistent quality in the end product
Suppliers Need
Users Need
Vision
Delivery
Delivery
Making
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Today, more than ever, science and its applications are indispensable for
development. All levels of government and the private sector should provide
enhanced support for building up an adequate and evenly distributed
scientific and technological capacity through appropriate education and
research programmes as an indispensable foundation for economic, social,
cultural and environmentally sound development. This is particularly urgent
for developing countries. Technological development requires a solid
scientific basis and needs to be resolutely directed towards safe and clean
production processes, greater efficiency in resource use and more
environmentally friendly products. Science and technology should also be
resolutely directed towards prospects for better employment, improving
competitiveness and social justice. Investment in science and technology
aimed both at these objectives and at a better understanding and
safeguarding of the planets natural resource base, biodiversity and lifesupport systems must be increased. The objective should be a move
towards sustainable development strategies through the integration of
economic, social, cultural and environmental dimensions.