Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers
Module Overview
This module is designed to help prepare the graduating students for their future careers as licensed professional engineers and is directed to students in their upper years of study. This is a longer module consists of six units, covering many important yet related topics. Unit one starts with a brief background on the structure of the Canadian legal system and introduces the structures of the courts in Canada. It also explains the separation of powers between Federal and Provincial governments, as it applies to regulating the engineering profession. In Unit 2, seven most important and dominant business organization structures are introduced and analyzed, explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each business structure as they apply to different engineering practices. Unit 4 presents a detailed review of the Engineering Code of Ethics and the Professional Engineers act, with emphasis on professional misconduct. The principles of Contract law are detailed in Unit 5, analyzing essential elements of a contract, ground for contract impeachment, and discharge of contracts. Finally, an overview of Tort law is presented in Unit 6 and differences between Tort Law and Contract Law are highlighted.
Major Topics:
- Common Law vs Tort Law
- The Professional Engineers Act
- Contract Law
- Definitions and interpretations of professional status
- Obligations that accompany the privileges of professional status
- PEO Disciplinary procedures
- Case Studies
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module, and through a careful study, students should be able to:
- Explain the structure of Canadian courts.
- Differentiate between legislature and common low.
- Evaluate different business structures as they apply to the engineering profession.
- Explain the basic legal principles that inform professional law and ethics for engineers.
- Recall key information from the Professional Engineers Act.
- Explain the obligations that accompany the privileges of professional status.
- Apply the principles of contract law and tort law to their work as engineers.
Related Project Resources
| Type | Title | Author | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| File | Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers - Quiz (PDF, 273 KB) | Dr. Arash Shahi | This formative quiz is part of the module. Students take this quiz as they proceed through the units. You may choose to use this assessment piece in alternate ways. |
| File | Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers Glossary (PDF, 49 KB) | Dr. Arash Shahi | This PDF contains an overview of the major terms used in Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers. |
| File | Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers (SCORM Package) (ZIP, 3.9 MB) | Dr. Arash Shahi | This SCORM package can be uploaded into your institution's Learning Management System. |
| File | Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers (Storyline File) (ZIP, 6 MB) | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Storyline File can be downloaded and modified to your specific learning objectives (within the bounds of the creative commons licensing selected for this file). This is encouraged, but any technical issues are not supported by the University of Toronto. |
| Video | Canadian Legal System | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video introduces the Canadian Legal System. |
| Video | Structure of Ontario Courts | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video explains the Structure of Ontario Courts. |
| Video | Separation of Powers | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video explains the Separation of Powers between provincial legislation and federal legislation. |
| Video | Delegation of Authority | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video explains the power of the federal and provincial government to delegate authority to other bodies. |
| Video | Sole Proprietorship and Partnership | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on Sole Proprietorship and Partnership. |
| Video | Corporations, Shareholders and Directors | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on Coprorations, Shareholders and Directors. |
| Video | Charitable and Non-Profit Organizations | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on Charitable and Non-Profit Organizations, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO). |
| Video | Joint Ventures, Co-operatives and Reflection | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on Joint Ventures and Co-operatives, and asks students to reflect on what type of business structure would work best for their business opportunity. |
| Video | Introduction, General Definitions | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video provides an Introduction and General Definitions for the unit on Professional Status and the Professional Engineer's Act. |
| Video | Practice of Professional Engineer, Primary Responsibility and Exceptions | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on Practice of Professional Engineers, Primary Responsibility and Exceptions. |
| Video | Professional Engineer's Act, Functions of PEO | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on the Professional Engineer's Act, and Functions of PEO (Professional Engineers Ontario). |
| Video | The Engineer's Seal | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video explains the Engineer's Seal. |
| Video | EIT, OSPE and The Iron Ring | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on EIT, OSPE and The Iron Ring. |
| Video | Code of Ethics | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video talks about the professional engineer's Code of Ethics. |
| Video | Duty to Report | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video explains an engineer's duty to report situations that an engineer believes may endanger the public. |
| Video | Legislation | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video introduces important sections of the Code of Ethics. It also provides a link for the entire Code of Ethics. |
| Video | Professional Misconduct | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on Professional Misconduct for engineers. |
| Video | Contracts | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video introduces Contracts and Contract Law. |
| Video | Elements of a Contract | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video explains the Elements of a Contract. |
| Video | Grounds for Impeaching Contract | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video looks at Grounds for Impeaching Contracts. |
| Video | Jurisdiction and Equitable Estoppel | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on Jurisdiction and Equitable Estoppel. |
| Video | Damages, Contract Interpretation, Bid Shopping and Rigging | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on Damages, Contract Interpretation, Bid Shopping and Bid Rigging. |
| Video | Discharge and Breach of Contract | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains sections on Discharge of Contracts and Breach of Contracts. |
| Video | Tort Definition | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video introduces Tort Law and provides a definition of a tort. |
| Video | Intentional vs. Unintentional Torts | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video lists the three conditions for Principles of Tort Law. |
| Video | Product Liability | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video contains two Product Liability cases. |
| Video | Reflection: Professional Status and the Professional Engineer's Act | Dr. Arash Shahi | This Professional Law and Ethics for Engineers video is a reflection for the unit on Professional Status and the Professional Engineer's Act. |
