In this online engineering PDH course, the engineering-ethics aspects of fraudulent safety claims are examined in light of standards of conduct expected of professional engineers.
In this online engineering PDH course, the engineering ethics aspects of fraudulent safety claims are examined in light of the standards of conduct expected of professional engineers.
Fraud has been defined as “the intentional use of deceit, a trick or some dishonest means to deprive another of his/her/its money, property or a legal right” (Law.com Dictionary). When, for example, the seller of a product deceives a buyer into believing that the product meets safety standards—and the seller knows that it does not—then the seller of the product has committed fraud.
The purpose of this course is to widen the professional engineer’s understanding of engineering ethics through consideration of three case studies of fraudulent safety claims made by engineers working in large corporations. The studies describe actual cases that have been successfully prosecuted by agencies of the U.S. federal government, and that involved terrible consequences in injury and loss of life.
The ethical—rather than legal—aspects of the cases are developed by identifying specific passages in published Standards of Conduct for professional engineers that were violated by the engineers who were found guilty of fraud.
Civil Engneering faculty member for 27 years
Dr. Rossow is a graduate of the University of Michigan with B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois. He taught civil engineering for over 35 years, including six years at Washington University in St. Louis and 29 years at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where he was the Chair of the Civil Engineering Department for ten years. His areas of expertise are in civil engineering and mechanics. He has consulted for various organizations, including government agencies and an international offshore drilling company. He has published numerous technical journal articles and technical reports for a variety of governmental agencies and private sector organizations. Mark P. Rossow, PE, PhD Licensed Professional Engineer in State of Illinois License No. 062.040560 Dr. Rossow is a graduate of the University of Michigan with B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees. He taught civil engineering for over 35 years, including six years at Washington University in St. Louis and 29 years at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where he was the Chair of the Civil Engineering Department for ten years. His areas of expertise are in civil engineering and mechanics. He has consulted for various organizations, including government agencies and an international offshore drilling company. He has published many journal articles and technical reports.
