Saint Louis University

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Department of Chemical Engineering

MODULE

Cover Letter to the Student

The course CHE 527: This is a 3-unit course, which deals with professional ethics
related to the practices of chemical engineering together with the different laws
governing the same. In the practice of this profession where legalities are inevitable,
contracts, obligations and specifications will be incorporated to reinforce and
corroborate possible cases. As such, by the end of this course you should be able
To explain and inculcate thorough understanding of laws, contracts,
specifications and ethics.
Implant thorough understanding of Contracts and obligation
Enhance capability to write Resume, Engineering specifications and
Technical papers
Inculcate value based ethics in the professional practice and the ability
to apply the theories and principles of laws, contracts and specification
to the practice of chemical engineering

To ensure that you will demonstrate the above cited learning outcomes, this course
originally designed to be delivered in 54 contact hours was structured into six
modules. Each module contains several units with its own topic learning outcomes
and topic outline. Each unit contains activities designed using the 5E constructivist
model of learning, developed by Rodger Bybee, that encourages students to engage,
explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate their learning of topics covered therein.
This means that at the end of each unit, each module, and the course as a whole,
you will be assessed on your progress in attaining the course learning outcomes.
Outcomes based education dictates that only when you can clearly demonstrate the
 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

course learning outcomes by the end of this course, can you be given a passing
mark. The modules that form the building blocks to help you attain the course
learning outcomes are as follows:

Table of Contents

Module 1: Review common Term used, Introduction Concepts and Familiarization

Chemical Engineering law
Unit 1 Introduction Concepts
Unit 2 PICHE Code of ethics
Unit 3 Chemical Engineering law

Module 2: Law on Patent, Copyright, Trademark Agency

Unit 1: Patent and Copyright
Unit 2: Trade Mark Agency

Module 3: Differentiate Labor Law and Social Obligation

Unit 1: Labor law
 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

Unit 2: Social Obligation

Module 4: Differentiate between Contract and obligation

Unit 1: Contracts
Unit 2: Obligation

Module 5: Introduction Specification

Unit 1: Importance of specification
Unit 2: Specification writing
Unit 3: Types of Engineering Specification

Module 6: Familiarize professional Ethics

Unit 1: Professional Ethics
Unit 2: Professionalism:
Professional Resume
Professional Interview
Unit 3: Professionalism: Concepts and attributes
Unit 4: Code of Ethics for Chemical Engineers
Unit 5 : Human Values and technology
 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS AND CHEMICAL

ENGINEERING LAW

At the end of the module, you should be able to: Inculcate value — based ethics in
the professional practice and the ability to apply the theories and principles of laws,
contracts and specification to the practice of chemical engineering

Unit 1: Introduction to Ethics and Chemical Engineering Law

This course focuses on professional ethics, not personal ethics or common morality.
The differences between ethics and morality are defined in this chapter. Ethical
commitment is central to most accounts of professionalism. Professional ethics has
several characteristics that distinguish it from personal ethics and common morality.
Engineering is a profession by some definitions of professionalism and not as clearly
a profession by other definitions. Possible conflicts between professional conflicts,
personal ethics, and common morality raise important moral questions.
Professional engineering ethics can be divided into a negative part, which focuses
on preventing disasters and professional misconduct, and a positive part, which is
oriented toward producing a better life for mankind through technology.

UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES

 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

Discuss the fundamental concepts and differences between ethics and morals
Discuss models of professionalism
Brief History of Engineering Codes
Catastrophic Engineering Failures

ENGAGE

Ethics, or Engineering ethics is the field of system of moral principles that apply to
the practice of engineering. The field examines and sets the obligations by
engineers to society, to their clients, and to the profession. As a scholarly discipline,
it is closely related to subjects such as the philosophy of science, the philosophy of
engineering, and the ethics of technology. To learn more, let us watch the video
entitled “ Engineering Ethics and Difficult Decision making using the link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FYt6qsoybM

Ethics – (or moral philosophy) the study of the characteristics of morals, and
involves moral choices made by individuals as they interact with other
persons.
➢ Derived from the Ancient Greek word èthikos meaning “relating to one’s
character”
➢ Èthos meaning “character disposition”
Morality (from the Latin term moralis “manner, character, proper behavior”;
Greek mos “custom”) is the differentiation of intentions, decisions, and actions
between those that are distinguished as proper and those that are improper
➢ A body of standards or principles derived from a code of conduct from a
particular philosophy, religion, or culture, or from a standard that a person
believes should be universal
 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

Personal ethics – or personal morality, is the set of moral beliefs that a person
holds.

For more on Introductory Concepts, open the notes attached on the google
classroom.

EXPLORE

Background

The 18th century and growing concern

The first Tay Bridge collapsed in 1879. At least sixty were killed.

As engineering rose as a distinct profession during the 19th century, engineers saw
themselves as either independent professional practitioners or technical employees
of large enterprises. There was considerable tension between the two sides as large
industrial employers fought to maintain control of their employees.

In the United States growing professionalism gave rise to the development of four
founding engineering societies: The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
(1851), the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) (1884), the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) (1880), and the American Institute of
 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

Mining Engineers (AIME) (1871). ASCE and AIEE were more closely identified with
the engineer as learned professional, where ASME, to an extent, and AIME almost
entirely, identified with the view that the engineer is a technical employee.

Even so, at that time ethics was viewed as a personal rather than a broad

professional concern

Brief History of Engineering Codes:

Code of ethics for engineers began in the late 19th century which only
involved standard business practices
1848 - Boston Society of Civil Engineers, the first civilian engineering
organization in the US, was founded
Four years later, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) was founded
1912 – the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) adopted their
code of conduct
1914 – the American Society of Mechanical Engineers adopted the AIEE code
with minor amendments
1915 – the American Institute of Consulting Engineering, the American
Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), and ASCE had adopted their own
code of ethics
1947 – the Engineers Council for Professional Development (ECPD) code
created the appearance of unity among engineers
1964 – the National Society of Professional Engineers adopted the 1947
ECPD code with but substituted its own code with revisions

Fundamental Canons of the NSPE Code:

Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public
Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence
 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful

manner.
Engineers shall act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees
Engineers shall avoid deceptive acts.
Engineers shall conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and
lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the
profession.

Recent developments

William LeMessurier's response to design deficiencies uncovered after construction of the Citigroup Center is often

cited as an example of ethical conduct.

Efforts to promote ethical practice continue. In addition to the professional societies

and chartering organizations efforts with their members, the Canadian Iron Ring

and American Order of the Engineer trace their roots to the 1907 Quebec Bridge

collapse. Both require members to swear an oath to uphold ethical practice and

wear a symbolic ring as a reminder.

In the United States, the National Society of Professional Engineers released in 1946
its Canons of Ethics for Engineers and Rules of Professional Conduct, which evolved
to the current Code of Ethics, adopted in 1964. These requests ultimately led to the
 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

creation of the Board of Ethical Review in 1954. Ethics cases rarely have easy
answers, but the BER's nearly 500 advisory opinions have helped bring clarity to the
ethical issues engineers face daily.

Currently, bribery and political corruption is being addressed very directly by several
professional societies and business groups around the world. However, new issues
have arisen, such as offshoring, sustainable development, and environmental
protection, that the profession is having to consider and address.

Examples of catastrophic engineering failures are:

1. Space Shuttle Challenger accident

2. Ford Pinto exploding gas tanks
3. Kansas City Hyatt Regency walkway collapse
4. Teton Dan Failure
5. DC – 10 multiple failures
6. 1919 Great Molasses Flood in Boston, Massachusetts
7. 1921 Silo Explosion Oppau, Germany
8. 1932 – 1968 Mercury Dumping Minamata Bay, Japan
9. 1976 Dioxin Emission Seveso, Italy
10. 1984 Methyl isocyanate emission Bhopal, India
11. 1986 Nuclear meltdown Chernobyl, Ukraine
12. 2000 Cyanide spill Baia Mare, Romania
13. 2008 Sugar refinery explosion Georgia, US
14. 2010 Alumina plant accident Hungary
15. 2014 Gas explosion Kaohsiung, Taiwan
16. 2015 Nuclear disaster Fukushima, Japan

EXPLAIN
 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

To be able to translate your understanding of the different fundamental concepts

discussed, do the following activity.

Activity 1: Importance of fundamental concepts of engineering ethics

Self- Assessment #1 Graded Assignment

From the aforementioned catastrophic failures, choose at least 5 and

describe the moral/ethical engineering issues violated.

 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

Module 1 Evaluative Assessment

Module Assessment 1: Introduction and Introductory Concepts

 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

Graded Quiz #1

Unit 2: PICHE Code of ethics

Brief History of Chemical Engineering:

1839 – George E. Davis, 1850 – 1906, (Father of Chemical Engineering)

suggested the need for a mechanical engineer with working knowledge in the
chemical industry. “A chemical engineer is a person with chemical and
mechanical knowledge who applies it to the utilization in a manufacturing
scale of chemical action.”
1880 – the first attempt to form a Society of Chemical Engineers in London
was created. The “chemical engineer” of these years was either a
mechanical engineer who had gained some knowledge of chemical process
equipment, a chemical plant foreman with a lifetime of experience but little
education, or an applied chemist with knowledge of large scale industrial
chemical reactions.
1882 – Assembly of Society of Chemical Industries, 15 of 300 members
describe themselves as chemical engineers
No formal education yet for chemical engineers
1905 – Publication of Chemical Engineering Journal
1908 – Establishment of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers
1918 – Chemical Engineering Society with 400 members
1922 – the UK Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) was founded

Chemical Engineering in the Philippines

 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

Feb. 23, 1921 – P.A.2985, created the Board of Chemical Engineering

together with the Boards of Mechanical, Electrical and Civil Engineering. They
were placed under the Dept. of Commerce and Communications.
1932 – The Board under RA 4007, was placed under the Dept. of Public
Works and Communications.
1948 – The Chemical Engineering Law (RA 318) was passed, which led to the
creation of a new Board of Examiners for Chemical Engineers.
January 14, 1985 – the board adopted and approved the Code of Ethics to
guide chemical engineers in the practice of their profession
2004 – The Chemical Engineering Law of 2004 was passed (RA 9297)

The First Members of the Board of Chemical Engineering (1921)

Hon Ramon Feliciano, Chairman

Hon. Vivencio Araos, Member
Hon. Moises Miranda, Member

Members of the Board of Chemical Engineering, as of November 2019:

➢ Engr. Ofelia V. Bulaong, Chairman
➢ Engr. Jeffrey G. Mijares, Member
➢ Engr. Cyd P. Aguilera, Member

Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineering Code of Ethics

Section 1.

The chemical engineer shall be guided in all his relations by the highest
standards of honor and integrity and shall act with fairness and impartiality to all.

Section 2.
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SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

The chemical engineer shall uphold at all times the dignity of the chemical
engineering profession and shall protect it from misrepresentation.

Section 3.

The chemical engineer shall avoid being associated with any enterprise which
is of questionable character or is contrary to law or public welfare

Section 4.

The chemical engineer shall express a professional opinion only when he is

adequately informed of the facts related thereto and the purposes for which the
opinion is asked.

Section 5.

The chemical engineer shall not issue statements, criticism or arguments on

matters of public concern which are inspired or paid for by private interests, unless
he indicates in whose behalf he is making the statement.

Section 6.

The chemical engineer shall not indulge in self-laudatory advertisement nor

make exaggerated,untrue,or misleading statements in media or any public forum.

Section 7.

The chemical engineer shall be mindful of the safety and convenience of the
public at all times and shall make every effort to remedy or bring to the attention of
 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

his client or employer any dangerous defect in equipment or structures

or dangerous conditions of operation which come to his knowledge.

Section 8.

The chemical engineer shall consider it his professional obligation to protect

the interest of his client, employer or any person of responsibility and he shall act
accordingly as long as it does not conflict with law, public policy, and welfare.

Section 9.

The chemical engineer shall make known to his client or employer all his
other professional obligations, financial interests, or other considerations which
might restrict or interfere with his meeting the legitimate expectations of his client
or employer before undertaking an engagement.

Section 10.

The chemical engineer shall not accept compensation, financial or otherwise

form more than one client or employer who is in the same line of business or has
conflicting interest with the others, without the consent of all parties; he shall not
accept compensation directly or indirectly from parties dealing with his client or
employer except with the consent of his client or employer.

Section 11.

The chemical engineer shall present clearly the consequences or risk that will
arise if his professional judgment or work, for which he is responsible, is overruled.
 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

Section 12.

The chemical engineer shall not hesitate to engage, or advise his client or
employer to engage the services of other experts or specialists on problems on
which his information or experience is inadequate.

Section 13.

The chemical engineer shall regard as the property of his client or employer
any plan, design, or other record which results from the use of information which is
not common knowledge or public property, but which information is obtained from
his client or employer.

Section 14.

The chemical engineer shall exchange general information and experience

with his fellow chemical engineers, contribute to the work of engineering societies
and schools, and cooperate in such other endeavors as will enhance the
effectiveness of the chemical engineering profession.

Section 15.

The chemical engineer shall encourage and provide opportunity for the
professional development or advancement of chemical engineers in his employ.

Section 16.
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SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

The chemical engineer shall recognize the view that inadequate compensation
for professional services tend towards inferior and unreliable work and shall not
accept compensation beneath the generally accepted level of professional fee.

Section 17.

The chemical engineer shall not compete

with another engineer unfairly, such as reducing his usual professional charges
for work after having been informed of the charges asked by others.

Section 18

The chemical engineer shall not injure or attempt to injure falsely or

maliciously, directly or indirectly, the professional reputation, competence,
capability, prospects, or practice of another professional.

Section 19.

The chemical engineer shall endeavor at all times to give credit to those to
whom credit is properly due.

Section 20.

The chemical engineer shall not review the work of another chemical
engineer for the same client or employer without the prior knowledge and consent
 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

of such engineer when the client or employer relation of such chemical engineer
has already been terminated, prior notice is sufficient.

Section 21.

The chemical engineer shall report any infraction of any rules of professional
conduct to the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (PICHE) for proper
appraisal and shall be ready to testify, if necessary.

Section 22.

This Code shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in
the Official Gazette.

EXPLAIN

To be able to translate your understanding of the different fundamental concepts

discussed, Do the following activity.

Activity 2: Importance of fundamental concepts to Code of the ethics

Self- Assessment #2 Graded Assignment

Choose a scenario around you or a scenario that you have encountered from the
different code of ethics principles. Then, choose at least 3 sections concepts and
relate them to your experience. Explain briefly in at most 5 sentences.
 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

ELABORATE AND EVALUATE

You as a future chemical engineer will be working in different fields where you are
most involve. As you are already in your last year of study, you should already start
thinking of the path you want to take. Thus, for the following activity, think about
the industry you want to be part of in the future.

Activity 3: Application of Fundamental concepts in the industry

Self- Assessment #3 Graded Assignment
 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

From your chosen industry, identify one section of the code how you can apply the
concept at least 3 fundamental concepts. Explain briefly in at most 5 sentences.
 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

Unit 3: Chemical Engineering Law

UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Discuss the important laws that each engineer will abide to
Requirement of a chemical engineer
Learn the components of the Chemical Engineering Licensure Examinations

In order to understand more about ethics we will go to the Chemical engineering

Laws and Regulations which is RA9297

An Act Regulating the Practice of Chemical Engineering and Repealing for this
purpose Republic Act Numbered Three Hundred and Eighteen (R.A. NO. 318),
otherwise as "The Chemical Engineering Law".

The Board shall exercise the powers conferred upon it by this Act, shall from
time to time look into the conditions affecting the practice of chemical engineering
in the Philippines, and whenever necessary, recommend to the Secretary of Public
Works and Communications6 the adoption of such measures as may be deemed
proper for the vigorous enforcement of this Act.
 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

Assignment

Downloads Republic Act No. 9297 from link

http://www.piche.org.ph/media/downloadables/public/materials/Republic%20Act%20
No%209297%20Chem%20Eng%20Law.pdf

Module 1 Evaluative Assessment

Module Assessment 2: Chemical Engineering Code of Ethics, Laws

and Regulations (RA9297)
Graded Quiz #2

MODULE 2
Law on Patent, Copyright, Trademark Agency
 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

EXPLORE

With the advent of technology comes along the access to all kinds of information.
Intellectual property rights are the rights given to persons over the creations of their
minds that include inventions, literary or artistic works, images, symbols, signage’s,
etc. They usually give the creator an exclusive right over the use of his/her creation
for a certain period of time. Strong and enforced Intellectual Property Rights help
consumers make an educated choice about the safety, reliability, effectiveness of
their purchases.

RA 8293 Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines or IPOPHL

Authored by the late Sen. Raul S. Roco
Signed by Pres. Fidel V. Ramos on June 6, 1997, took effect on Jan. 1,
1998

An act prescribing the intellectual property code and establishing the

intellectual property office, providing for its powers and functions, and for
other purposes

This Act is composed of five parts:

Part 1 – The intellectual property office
Part II – The law on patents
Part III – The law on Trademarks, Service Marks and Trade Names
Part IV – The law on Copyright
Part V – Final Provisions

Current executive committee

Director General
 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

Atty. Rowel S. Barba

Deputies Director General
Atty. Teodoro C. Pascua
Atty. Nelson P. Laluces

RA 7459 – an act providing incentives to Filipino Inventors and Expanding the

Functions of the Technology Application and Promotion Institute, Appropriating
Funds Therefore, and for Other Purposes.” The law also known as the “Inventors
and Invention Incentives Act of the Philippines, “codified the country’s
recognition of the important contribution of the Filipino inventors and technologies
they developed.

- This law was signed on April 28, 1992 by Pres. Corazon C. Aquino
- Salient Provisions include Cash Rewards to patented inventions, Tax
Incentives, Tax Exemption, Inventions Development Assistance Fund (IDAF),
Inventions Guarantee Fund, and Government Agencies Assistance.

Assignment

Download Republic Act No. 8293, the link to be posted on your portal.
Graded assignment #1
I. Give five examples each of patentable
a) Novelty product;
b) Priori art
c) Utility Models
 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Chemical Engineering

d) Industrial design

II. Briefly discuss 5 cases on the violation of RA 8293 in the Philippines

Module 2 Evaluative Assessment

Module Assessment 2: Law on Patent, Copyright, Trademark

Agency
Graded Quiz

References

Harris, C. Jr. (2009). Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases. Ohio: Wadsworth
Cengage
Learning,

Luegenbiehl, H. & Davis, M. (1992). Engineering Codes of Ethics: Analysis and

Applications. Center for the Study of Ethics in the Profession, Illinois Institute
of Technology, Chicago, Illinois,