2/10/16

To: Instructor
From: Joseph Vilece
Current issues in engineering and the possible future headings of the field.

Topic descriotion: The topic is to evaluate the current status within the field,
evaluate necessary changes, and develop proposed plans to improve the discipline
and compare the theoretical current destiny to the likely outcome of the changes
proposed. The art of developing the argument learned through this class is a
necessity. The contemporary failures that occur are the basis for public debate for
the need for change. Some believe the field is satisfactory the way it is/is heading.
Some believe its not satisfactory but believe not much can be done to improve
these shortcomings given current resources/technology. Some maintain that no
failure should ever occur (bridges, airplanes, cars, etc.) and that much needs to be
done before the state of the field can be labeled as acceptable.
Preliminary thesis/argument: The public opinion on the current status of engineering
and the unacceptable characteristics and failures of the field, as well as the status
generally known throughout the field, motivates me to investigate the situation
from multiple angles. A proposed plan to rectify these issues and prevent more in
the future must be reached, as I plan to do.
Purpose: As a mechanical engineering major, I plan to have a future at the very
least working in the field accomplishing certain goals. As a single individual, I
realize my power and seeming limitations. Writing about this topic will be beneficial
to me because I do not strive to be satisfactory and do the bear minimum. I care
about other people quite a lot, and at the very least, I strive to do whatever job I
find myself in as best as possible. I also want to do all that I can to reduce the
chance of preventable, life altering occurrences due to a groups engineering
process. My research topic is to determine the areas needed for improvement, the
bear minimum change needed, how to best get these changes implemented, and
where the field will be with and without those changes. The question is will it be
realistic to expect these changes to eventually happen, and will the worlds
population accept the fate of society should these changes not occur.
Intended audience: My audience is the TED audience in within the ENC 1102 class.
Every group will likely benefit from my paper, be it non engineering majors being
reassured that there are engineers who care about public safety, or engineering
majors who can get inspiration to work together to enact the proposed changes or
start their own movements within the field or other fields.
Types of research areas: I will conduct research from all three research areas
(scholarly, internet, and field research ) and possibly other types if I find it
necessary/beneficial. The topic at hand will not be done justice without evaluating a
multitude of information and data from these sources.

Source types: internet articles and information, professionals, case studies and
occurrence examples, professional journals, people in the general public, and many
more will be necessary to develop the full picture.
Visual data: graphs and charts will, as with most research within or pertaining to
engineering, will be necessary to best objectively put forth the findings/arguments.
Documentation: MLA format will be sufficient for the nature of this work.
Surces and data
Stony Brook University
"Learning from Failure: Engineering Disasters." Learning from Failure: Engineering
Disasters. Stony Brook University, 28 Dec. 2012. Web. 10 Feb. 2016.
Forbes
Augustine, Norman. "Engineers: Public Perception Matters." Forbes. Forbes
Magazine, 26 Oct. 2011. Web. 10 Feb. 2016.
The New York Times
Bansal, Sarika. "The Power of Failure." Opinionator The Power of Failure Comments.
The New York Times, 28 Nov. 2012. Web. 10 Feb. 2016.
Its already obvious that there is a bad taste in the mouth of a god portion of the
population with regards to the state of engineering today. The case studies and
catastrophic failure examples are a large motivator in investigating the necessary
future of the discipline and the potential costs if these warning signs are not
heeded.
http://coewww.rutgers.edu/~baruh/pdffiles/baruh2.pdf
http://www.eng-tips.com/
http://www.theiet.org/Forums/forum/index.cfm
http://www.engineeringexchange.com/forum
http://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics
http://www.raeng.org.uk/policy/engineering-ethics/ethics

Engineering ethics : concepts and cases / Charles E. Harris, Jr.,

Michael S. Pritchard, Michael J. Rabins.
Changing the Paradigm for Engineering Ethics.
Theres No Such Thing as Engineering Ethics

Engineering ethics An area in need of greater understanding.

Whitbeck, Caroline. Ethics in engineering practice and research