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2020 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Career development courses

Ethics of Scientists and Engineers D

Academic unit or major
Career development courses
Instructor(s)
Hirofumi Akagi / Jun Fudano
Class Format
Lecture (Zoom)
Media-enhanced courses
-
Day of week/Period
(Classrooms)
3-4 Mon (Zoom)
Class
D
Course Code
LAC.C621
Number of credits
100
Course offered
2020
Offered quarter
4Q
Syllabus updated
Jul 10, 2025
Language
Japanese

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

In this course, the word “scientists” is used in a broad sense. According to the Science Council of Japan, the word "refers to researchers and specialists engaged in activities that create new knowledge, or in the use and application of scientific knowledge, in all academic fields ranging from humanities and social sciences to natural sciences, regardless of which institution they belong to." (The Science Council of Japan, “The Code of Conduct for Scientists”; thus, engineers are included.) The first aim of this course is to examine the values which scientists have to share through careful reading of various codes of conduct including those at Tokyo Institute of Technology. Then, by examining real cases of research misconduct and through e-learning (eAPRIN), students learn and understand basic terms and concepts such as “Academic Integrity,” "Responsible Conduct of Research," "Questionable Research Practice," "Research Misconduct," and “Compliance,” and they not only raise their ethical sensitivity but also acquire problem solving skills by learning the ethical decision-making method called "Seven Step Guide." In addition, through case studies, they examine causes of accidents, scandals, and research misconduct and obtain knowledge and skills to design "ethics programs" which can be implemented in their respective practicing and research environments in order to prevent such unethical behaviors and to promote responsible conduct of engineering practice and research. Furthermore, the students learn the educational and learning objectives of science and engineering ethics education as well as educational methods to achieve those objectives, and design an ethics education program which is appropriate to their respective engineering and research context.

Course description and aims

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to
1) explain basic concepts such as “Academic Integrity,” "Responsible Conduct of Research," "Questionable Research Practice," "Research Misconduct," and “Compliance” by using concrete cases
2) demonstrate that they have fundamental knowledge on responsible conduct of research by completing the e-learning program called "eAPRIN<"CITI Japan>"
3) propose solutions for ethical problems using decision-making methods such as "Seven Step Guide."
4) explain major causes of ethical problems including research misconduct, by illustrating with real cases.
5) explain the necessity of "ethics program" and propose such programs which are appropriate to their own context.
6) explain the educational and learning objectives of science and engineering ethics education as well as educational methods to achieve those objectives

Keywords

Code of Conduct for Scientists, Academic Integrity, Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), Questionable Research Practice (QRP), Misconduct, Compliance, Ethics Program, Ethics Education In Context

Competencies

  • Specialist skills
  • Intercultural skills
  • Communication skills
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

This course is conducted in the mode of active learning incorporating group discussions and indivisual presentations. Thus, active participation in course activities is inevitable for successful completion of the course. A hybrid-type e-learning, i.e. combination of e- learning and group discussions, is an important component of the course.

Course schedule/Objectives

Course schedule Objectives
Class 1

December 7 (Monday) 10：40-12:20 Zoom
1) Course guidance (contents, assignments, and policy)
2) Lecture on the educational and learning objectives of science and
engineering ethics education as well as educational methods
3) Video on research misconduct

1) After the first class, read the textb
thoroughly.
2) After the class, read thoroughly the
given in the class
Class 2

December 14 (Monday) 10：40-12:20 Zoom
1) Lecture on values which engineers and scientists should share
2) Lecture on research ethics program
3) Lecture on research ethics education in context

1) Submit an assignment on the code
which a learned society to which you
2) Submit an assignment on the Code
Scientists of SCJ
Class 3

December 21 (Monday) 10：40-12:20 Zoom
1) Lecture on educational methods and tools for ethics education in
context: Part 1
2) Group discussion on how to implement ethics education program in
each laboratory: Part 1

1) Submit an assignment on "The Lab"
2) Submit an assignment on research
program
Class 4

January 14 (Thursday) 10：40-12:20 Zoom
1) Lecture on educational methods and tools for ethics education in
context: Part 2
2) Group discussion on how to implement ethics education program in
each laboratory: Part 2

1) Submit a response sheet on research
misconduct cases
Class 5

January 18 (Monday) 10：40-12:20 Zoom
1) Examination of real-world cases
2) Methods of ethical decision making
3) Ethics education by the case method

1) Prepare and submit a report on a research
misconduct case
Class 6

January 25 (Monday) 10：40-12:20 Zoom
1) Student presentations on ethics program and discussion

1) Prepare a draft report on an ethics
for the research lab to which you belong
2) Prepare a presentation on the above ethics program
3) Submit a certificate of completion
eAPRIN program
Class 7

February 1 (Monday) 10：40-12:20 Zoom
1) Student presentations on ethics education in context and
discussion

1) Prepare a draft report on an ethics
module for the research lab to which
belong
2) Prepare a presentation on the above module

Study advice (preparation and review)

Textbook(s)

JSPS, For the Sound Development of Science -The Attitude of a Conscientious Scientist-, 2015

Other materials will be distributed at the first class meeting

Reference books, course materials, etc.

CITI Japan
JSPS e-learning Course
Japan Science and Technology Agency, "The Lab"

Other materials will be introduced at the first class meeting

Evaluation methods and criteria

1) Response Sheets and other assignments (20%)
2) Report on Ethics Program (30%)
3) Report on Ethics Education in Context (30%)
4) eAPRIN（20%）

Related courses

  • Other career courses
  • LAH.S402 ： Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences2:Ethics in Engineering
  • LAC.M521 ： Ethics of Scientists (Master Course)
  • LAH.T105 ： Ethics in Engineering A
  • LAH.T206 ： Ethics in Engineering B
  • LAH.T305 ： Ethics in Engineering C

Prerequisites

No specific prerequisites

Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).

iidpinfo[at]jim.titech.ac.jp
(Please make sure to Indicate your name and affiliation)

Office hours

Wednesdays, 13:00-15:00