Microprocessor

Microprocessor Systems Design

Ethics Project Overview

The technology created by computer engineering, both the algorithms and the hardware designs, really is a huge leap forward in the power available to humankind. Like any newly available power, the question of how to control and manage it is an important one. Questions about intellectual property and privacy are now being raised that were never an issue until the capabilities provided by computer technology arose. Some digital ethics topics are possibly the best way to understand this and they will be focus of your final class project. Below are the requirements.

For this project you’ll be researching a digital ethics topic and give a report on it. You will have to do background research make use of the NSPE code of ethics as given on ecourse and present in writing your ethical findings on the topic.

Also, your report for this project will not simply be a listing of facts and references about your chosen issue. You should take the approach of “If I was in charge of making a decision on this issue … “. This is similar to an argumentative essay or debate-style report, but with a twist. Don’t just pick a side and start arguing in favor of it (and ignore any valid points for alternatives). Consider all (or at least the most relevant) possible approaches and solutions to come up with which you feel is the best solution. Your report should make it clear what issue you are dealing with, what your idea or position on that issue is, and how you’re supporting that position ( with links to references as possible).

Also, you don’t have to be completely in favor of a single side of the issue. If you feel a compromise between competing sides is best, state that and defend your position. If you feel that the issues is completely wide open, state that and defend it. …AND if you don’t propose and strongly support some solution to the issue then you must propose and defend some research or experiments that would provide information sufficient for you to be able to decide on a solution for the issue. Some ethics issues – probably most – do not have a clean–cut “correct” side. Understand all important sides of the issue, present that in your report, and then propose and defend a solution or a method that would directly lead to a solution.

To assist in ethical consideration we have place on the ecourse directory for this course the NSPE code of ethics. Please refer to this reference when compiling your report.

Project Requirements and Due Dates

This project is an individual project. Be sure to:

(1) research and understand an issue while defending your position

(2) present your information in a well-presented report. The report should have at least 1000 word.

The ethics topic to report on is your choice. The topic should be digital or microprocessor based. The project will be graded on topic selection, code of ethics, your position on topic and depth of research.

Below is a listing of possible topics for your digital ethics project, but you may choose any relevant topic.

1. Intellectual Property

2. Monopolies

3. Digital Privacy

4. Automobile Software Crashes

5. Cellphone Tracking/Cheating

6. Smart meter cheating

Reference: http:/www.cs.duke.edu/courses/cps001/summer06/digital_ethics.html