Comparison of engagement with ethics between an engineering and a business program

Area of Science:

• Higher Education
• Business Ethics
• Engineering Ethics

Background:

• Universities, especially professional schools, are increasingly focused on enhancing student engagement with ethics.
• This study examines student attitudes and perceptions of ethics education within university curricula.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare student attitudes towards ethics in business and engineering colleges.
• To assess the impact of curriculum integration on student perceptions of ethics education.

Main Methods:

• Survey-based examination of student attitudes and perceptions.
• Comparative analysis between business and engineering college students.
• Focus on institutions with varying levels of ethics curriculum development.

Main Results:

• Student attitudes and perceptions of ethics are significantly influenced by curriculum content and integration.
• Business students, with established ethics education, showed different perceptions compared to engineering students.
• The development stage of ethics education impacts student engagement and views.

Conclusions:

• Curriculum design and faculty involvement are crucial for effective ethics education in universities.
• Engineering faculty can benefit from the experience of business faculty in developing ethics curricula.
• Integrating ethics education enhances student understanding and attitudes towards professional responsibility.