Professional Development : Technical Issues and Solutions

This course emphasizes the importance of non-technical factors in the success and viability of engineering designs and solutions. Students will explore how cognitive and physical limitations of individuals, from designers and manufacturers to end users, as well as economic, environmental, cultural, political, ethical, health and safety, and societal influences, impact engineering outcomes. Through readings and discussions of articles and case studies, the course highlights instances where technical solutions failed or led to disaster, often due to the neglect of broader non-technical considerations such as environmental, economic, or socio-political factors.