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The Development of Geoscience-related Ethics Codes
American Institute of Professional Geologists
Course Number
AIPG007-
Classes Start
Estimated Effort
1 hour-
Classes End
About This Course
This course focuses on the adoption of and changes in geoscience-related ethics codes over the years. Many geological and related engineering professional associations were founded in the 19th and early 20th centuries but ethics codes were generally not adopted until after WWII. The AAPG Code of Ethics was the first code and was adopted in 1924. Codes have changed over the years for a variety of reasons as has their organization. There are common principles in the codes like honesty, integrity, transparency, etc. Most codes also explicitly state that protection of the public’s health, safety, and welfare supersedes employer/client confidentiality. Emerging additions to ethics codes include statements about harassment and discrimination, sustainable development, and global human welfare. Whether an ethics code requires enforcement procedures, the implications of enforcing an ethics code, and the characteristics of effective disciplinary procedures are reviewed.
Course Objectives
Students are expected to learn the following when they take this course:
- When and why geoscience-related ethics codes were adopted by professional organizations, and the changes to those codes over the years.
- What the advantages and disadvantages to having aspirational vs. rules-based ethics codes are.
- What the considerations for emerging ethical issues related to harassment, discrimination, geoethics, and geodiversity are.
Course Format
This is an asynchronous short-course that contains videos, resources for learning more, and a set of questions in each section to help facilitate learning. An asynchronous course is a course that can be done on your own time. Feel free to pause, take a break, and come back to your saved progress to continue with the course. There is no deadline for completion of this course.
Note: For tips on taking this course via the edX mobile app, please visit the edX Learner’s Guide, and read the section on using the edX mobile app for the most up-to-date information.
Obtaining Continuing Education Units
If your course grade is at least 70%, you may apply for 0.1 CEU credit. There is an administrative fee for the issuance of the CEU, and you can view the fee structure here. You can check your final grade by clicking on the Progress menu item in the course navigation menu at the top of the page.
Requirements
Although there are no prerequisites for this course, we recommend that you complete the Fundamentals of Professional Ethics: Elements and Examples course before taking this course.
Course Staff
American Geosciences Institute staff serve as the facilitators for this course. If you have questions at any time during this course, you can email your questions to learning@americangeosciences.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I take the course using the edX mobile app?
For tips on taking the course via the edX mobile app, please visit the edX Learner’s Guide, and read the section on using the edX mobile app for the most up-to-date information.
Do I have to take this course all at one time to pass it?
No, in fact that's the advantage of offering asynchronous online courses. You can go through the course at your own pace, pause when you wish, save your progress, and resume the course when it’s convenient for you to do so.
Do I have to pay a registration fee for the course?
There is no registration fee for the course. You may view the entire course, and complete all the assessments, assignments, and exams at no cost.
Are Continuing Education Units available for this course?
If you would like to receive credit for the course and obtain CEUs, you will need to pass the course with a minimum of a 70%, fill out a form to register for the CEUs, and pay an administrative fee. The administrative fee for CEUs varies for each course. Please see details in the “How to Obtain CEUs” section at the end of each course.