Two new University of Virginia minors emphasize tech ethics and social responsibility

Technological advancements, from self-driving cars to AI chatbots, can change the world for the better. But most technology comes with risks. Fabricated images and videos, racial bias in algorithms and privacy violations are major concerns.

To meet the crucial need for conscientious professionals, the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science has introduced two new in-demand minors. 

Undergraduate students across the University now have the option of minoring in either technology ethics, or in science, technology and society. 

UVA Cares About Ethics

The additions to the Department of Engineering and Society come after a spring 2024 post-lecture survey of first-year students found that more than a third were interested in ethics-related minors. 

How engineers and other professionals interact with science and technology matters more than ever. UVA engineers, for example, often go on to be future leaders and policymakers. But the tools of modern technology are so pervasive that it’s not just engineers who need to be able to responsibly manage scientific advancement. 

These two minors, among the few in the United States housed within an engineering school, are well-positioned to help students understand the ethical dimensions and societal impacts of science and technology.

“The potential for biological AI, meant to enhance biology through data and learning algorithms, to blur the lines of what it means to be human raises the question of whether this kind of technology can be pursued ethically,” said Rosalyn W. Berne, the Anne Shirley Carter Olsson Professor of Applied Ethics and chair of the Department of Engineering and Society. “Also, the recent, massive CrowdStrike global tech outage appears to reflect a lack of ethical responsibility. These are just two examples of why these new minors are timely and important.” 

Both minors aim to deepen students’ understanding of the complex interplay between science, technology and society, Berne said. Both minors also will help students develop analytical skills for navigating ethical quandaries and critically evaluating technological and scientific developments. 

By fostering a thoughtful and responsible approach, the minors guide students to consider the broader impacts of their work and encourage them to make positive contributions to both society and the environment.

How the Minors Differ

The technology ethics minor focuses specifically on ethical concerns and policies pertinent to emerging technologies. Students will also engage with resources such as the Online Ethics Center at UVA, Berne said. 

The science, technology and society minor emphasizes the social and ecological effects tied to scientific progress, preparing students to be more responsible engineers and scientists.

Julia C. Lapan, the assistant dean for career development at UVA Engineering, said either path is a great way to address what many employers see as an essential need.

“Increasingly, employers say that technical skills are not enough to succeed and thrive in 21st century engineering careers,” Lapan said. “The world needs engineers who can communicate, think critically, lead, and who understand the broader impacts of their actions. 

“These programs will equip students with necessary skills for employers across all sectors, giving them a professional edge and an opportunity to engage intellectually with topics that are important to them.” 

The new minors, available to all undergraduate students, round out the department’s program offerings, which currently include a minor in history of science and technology, and a minor in science and technology policy. 

About UVA Engineering: As part of the top-ranked, comprehensive University of Virginia, UVA Engineering is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected engineering schools. Our mission is to make the world a better place by creating and disseminating knowledge and by preparing future engineering leaders. Outstanding students and faculty from around the world choose UVA Engineering because of our growing and internationally recognized education and research programs. UVA is the No. 1 public engineering school in the country for the percentage of women graduates, among schools with at least 75 degree earners; among the top engineering schools in the United States for the four-year graduation rate of undergraduate students; and among the top-growing public engineering schools in the country for the rate of Ph.D. enrollment growth. Our research program has grown by 95% since 2016. Learn more at engineering.virginia.edu.