Experimental_Techniques_and_Ethics_Lecture_core.pptx

Key Learning Outcomes

Students completing this lecture will:

Understand fundamental principles of experimental design, measurement, and uncertainty.

Recognize how ethical conduct integrates with engineering experimentation.

Analyze real-world failures (e.g., Challenger Disaster) from technical and ethical perspectives.

Apply ethical frameworks (autonomy, beneficence, justice) to engineering decision-making.

Appreciate their professional responsibility to society and safety.

1. Experimental Technique & Ethics in Engineering Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teoh Yew Heng School of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia Engineering Capstone Project Lecture

2. Motivation: Why This Matters • Capstone projects require experimental validation. • Poor experimental design leads to invalid results. • Ethics ensures responsible engineering practice.

3. Experimental Techniques Overview • Structured process to plan, conduct, and analyze experiments. • Emphasizes accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility. • Supports data-driven decision-making.

4. Uncertainty and Error • Differentiate systematic vs random errors. • Use calibration and statistical analysis. • Express uncertainty quantitatively.

5. Ethics in Engineering • Engineers’ actions affect public safety and trust. • Ethics = beyond compliance with law. • Honesty, accountability, and transparency are vital.

6. Case Study Placeholder – Challenger Disaster • Insert Video: Challenger_Disaster_Summary_720p.mp4 • Lessons in risk communication and ethical responsibility.

7. Ethical Frameworks • Identify ethical issues. • Determine stakeholders. • Apply principles of autonomy, beneficence, and justice.

8. Summary & Takeaways • Strong experimental design builds credibility. • Ethics ensures public trust and safety. • Engineers are accountable for both technical and moral outcomes.