vcc.ca
SCIE 1100: Engineering, Technology and Society
Effective date
September 2020
Department
UT Computing Science&Software
School
Arts and Sciences
Description
This course provides an introduction to the practice of engineering, surveying its history and its current state. The social and political aspects of engineering decisions will be illustrated by a number of case studies. The course also includes examples related to the field of computer science.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
Pre-calculus 12 with a minimum 'C+' grade or equivalent; one of Physics 12, Chemistry 12 or Biology 12 with a minimum 'C+' grade or equivalent; SCIE 1110 taken prior or concurrently.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Solve an open-ended complex problem by implementing engineering tools using brainstorming and creative tools.
- Describe the relationship between human activity and environmental systems and demonstrates the ability to identify and choose alternatives to mitigate the impact of human activity on health and safety considering engineering code of ethics (e.g. EGBC’s Code of Conduct).
- Identify, engage, and inform stakeholders by using effective communication and milestone stages to address their needs.
- Understand team formation and group dynamics theory (e.g., Tuckman model) and describe models for building successful teams and apply conflict resolution techniques to achieve team goals.
- Define the project scope clearly by identifying functions, constraints, assumptions, regulatory constraints, the business case, stakeholder interests and environmental considerations as well as plans for managing risks and hazards.
- Design, build and test a prototype by considering sustainability and life cycle assessment of the product.
- Apply decision making processes (e.g. weighted decision matrix) to analyze sophisticated system comprising of multi-disciplinary subsystems.
- Develop a project consisting of a structure containing a processor sensor (to receive signal and collect data, a microcontroller (to process received signal and analyze data) and an actuator (to transform the transmitted signal into a task-based action).
- Deliver well-organized and effective oral presentations to technical and non-technical audiences.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 60
Total Hours: 60
Total Hours: 60
Instructional Strategies
Lectures, guest speakers, group work, video and YouTube presentations.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
D
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Assignments |
35 |
Research Paper |
|
Project |
20 |
Group project (includes poster, oral presentation and report) |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
30 |
3 In-class quizzes |
|
Participation |
15 |
|
Course topics
- History of Engineering
- Engineering and the Environment
- Engineering and Development
- Engineering and the Environment
- Engineering Management
- Engineering Design, Decision Making and Prototyping
- Sustainability and Life Cycle
- Engineering Modelling
- Harm and Engineering Ethics
- Information and Communication
- Chaos and Order
- Artificial Intelligence
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.