Professional Ethics and Behaviour

 

 

What is said here should be obvious, but in case it isn't....

As engineering students, you are acquiring skills, knowledge, and access to facilities that allow you to do things many others cannot. You should use these powers wisely and properly. Your engineering degree is a professional degree and part of your training is to learn to act professionally and ethically.

Professional behaviour means that you will treat your colleagues, TA's, students, co-workers, customers, etc., and especially professors!  in a manner that addresses the problem at hand in a business-like, friendly, and understanding fashion. You will not resort to acts of physical or verbal intimidation or any other threatening actions to get your way. Stick with the facts and reasoned opinions. People may still disagree with you, but if they too act professionally, they should respect you for having an opinion and trying to argue or defend it in a thoughtful manner.

Unethical behaviour includes:

• copying the work of other people and claiming it as your own (assignments, exams)
• copying or using software without the proper license
• knowingly damaging equipment or disrupting service
• using equipment or facilities for illegal or non-academic purposes such as
  • breaking passwords
  • breaking into computers or communications facilites
  • deleting files and programs without authorization
  • distributing pirated software

Remember too that it is a small world. Someday, that TA that you yelled at might be on the other side of an interview table, or at a client meeting, or reviewing a proposal of yours. Your TA should also remember that someday YOU might be on the other side of the table! 

One of the most valuable assets you have is your reputation. A reputation for being unethical or unprofessional in any way could hurt you in many ways that you may never know about.

To see the University policies on these issues, please see the Code of Student Conduct and the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters.