University Engineering Ethics: VW Emission Control Software Case Study

This assignment presents a case study on the Volkswagen emission scandal, where a software programmer faces an ethical dilemma related to emission control software. The student, acting as the programmer, writes a letter to the VW headquarters, highlighting unethical practices within the team, specifically regarding the manipulation of software logic to alter emission assessments. The assignment requires the student to adhere to the NSPE code of ethics, identify potential conflicts of interest, and report the issue to the appropriate authority. The student provides evidence and references to support the claims, demonstrating an understanding of ethical responsibilities as an engineer and the potential consequences of the situation. The assignment emphasizes the importance of integrity, truthfulness, and the obligation to report unethical behavior within the engineering profession.

Running head: ENGINEERING IN SOCIETY
Engineering in Society
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

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Part 1:
Link of the authority: http://www.volkswagengroupofamerica.com/contact
This letter is about an ethical issues identified in an emission control software engineer team
under the authority of Volkswagen America. As per NSPE rules, this letter should address the
higher authority in case of any error [1]. Hence, this letter should be developed for the
Volkswagen Headquarter of the US.
Part 2:
Student xxxxx5 : Address : Contact number : email@id
March 4th 2020
To,
The director
Volkswagen Headquarter
Herndon, Virginia, United States
Subject: Unethical Practice
I am a software programmer within a team of programmers of VW engine control unit that
are responsible for fuel intake and emission measurement. I want to highlight an unethical
issue in my team regarding emission control assessment.
The software that we are developing is aimed to assess the engines based on the level of fuel
intake and emissions, so that we could minimise the emission level by calibrating the engine
fuel intake and emission and making changes accordingly. As the software programmer
initially I developed the engine fuel intake level and emission assessment logical diagram for

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the final software development as per out standard code of engine fuel intake and emission
controlling parameters and measures. However, I have been pressurised to make changes in
some logics in the core programming that can interfere the assessment conditions of fuel
intake level and emission level. In future this program can allow such engine which should
not be allowed as per our standard fuel intake and emission control standards. According to
NSPE rules of practice employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, I shall disclose all
known or potential conflicts of interest that could influence or appear to influence the quality
of our services. Along with that as per the ethical standard as an engineer I shall acknowledge
the errors and shall not distort or alter the facts. Hence, I want report this issue to this issue to
the higher authority.
I have high respect for all of your system and authority. As an Engineer an engineer, as per
NSPE, I shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner and therefore
want to bring a fact to your notice regarding an unethical practice in my functioning team
with adequate truthful evidences. As a team member I have all the required documents and
image evidences to support this accusation.
Thanking you,
Student xxxxxxx5

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References
[1]Nspe.org, "Code of Ethics | National Society of Professional Engineers", Nspe.org, 2018.
[Online]. Available: https://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethics. [Accessed: 04- Mar-
2020].