Ethics is a vital part of the engineering profession, and engineering students must learn to act professionally and “do the right thing.” Students and professionals are guided by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Code of Ethics and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics. These codes promote good behavior that fosters fairness, trust, and integrity. As per the NSPE Code of Ethics, “engineers shall avoid deceptive acts” and “shall conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.”

A UB Engineering Code of Professional Conduct has been adopted to guide student conduct while at UB. Students are expected to:

• Act with honesty, integrity, and fairness
• Show respect for others
• Accept responsibility
• Give credit where credit is due (for example, this page was developed from the CSEE Professional Ethics web page, with permission)
  
• Serve the larger community
• Take pride in being a part of UB Engineering

In addition, UB students are bound by the university’s policies on academic integrity, which address issues of plagiarism and other dishonest acts. These rules are strictly enforced in our classes.

As our students graduate and leave the university to start their professional careers, many participate in the Order of the Engineer ceremony. During the ceremony, students recite the Obligation of the Engineer, part of which is reproduced below.

“As an Engineer, I pledge to practice integrity and fair dealing, tolerance and respect, and to uphold devotion to the standards and the dignity of my profession, conscious always that my skill carries with it the obligation to serve humanity by making the best use of Earth’s precious wealth.

As an Engineer, I shall participate in none but honest enterprises. When needed, my skill and knowledge shall be given without reservation for the public good. In the performance of duty and in fidelity to my profession, I shall give the utmost.”

As the above quote indicates, engineers have special ethical obligations.