Aim
The aim is to provide insights into the position of the engineer in modern society and a perspective on the impact on new technology to the development of society. Especially emphasis is put on reflection on a societal consequence analysis of the transition to new technology. An active and critical mind is stimulated to reflect over benefits and draw backs when introducing new technology, where aspects on sustainable engineering are central. The process of bringing new technology to the market is highlighted, where issues such as patent and IPR, entrepreneurship, project management and quality control systems are emphasised. The skill and art of communication through different media is further highlighted and practised throughout the course.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to individually gather and select relevant information on an arbitrarily chosen technical or techno-societal topics

• to be able to analyse engineering based questions and to relate these to the surrounding society

• to gather insight to the multifaceted role that is represented by today's engineers

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

• Display an ability to analyse and reason about the consequence when introducing new technology in society both with respect to economic gain and environmental impact.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• Individually be able to gather and objectively analyse, critically scrutinise, synthesize and compose an own opinion regarding a technology/society related questions.

Contents
The multifaceted role as a professional engineer will be reflected through a series of invited lecturers in leading positions from industry and academia. The lectures cover a wide range of topic from technology development for the industrial process, medical and environmental aspects of new technology, the commercialisation process, project management, entrepreneurship, research education, communication methodology, quality management and control.

Throughout the course the students are penetrating self selected subject with a link to the lectures or with a technical/societal aspect. Training in running and defending an opinion in an organised debate is trained. The course is finalised by in a full day conference where the projects work is reported in lectures, poster presentations and open debate forums. The students have the responsibility to organise the conference themselves.

Literature
Handouts distributed during the course.