Introduction to value sensitive design (VSD) followed by a workshop there the students complete group assignments on 1-2 different cases based on so called envisioning cards.
Lecture 1: AI and ethics or gene editing technology and ethics.
Lecture 2: Integrity & privacy
Lecture 3: Environmental ethics
Seminar 1: Moraloffsetting
Seminar 2: Engineering role: responsibility and professional ethics
AK204V Ethics and Sustainability 2.5 credits

Welcome to ak204v!
This course is developed for professional engineers with an interest in ethical aspects of technology development and technology use. The course is a mix of ethical theory and applied discussions and cases with a focus on sustainability (primarily social and environmental).
All lectures and seminars will be on Zoom and the entire course is taught in English.
Course contents
Lecture 1: Introduction to value sensitive design (VSD) followed by a workshop there the students complete group assignments on 1-2 different cases based on so called envisioning cards.
Lecture 2:Gene editing technology and ethics OR .AI and ethics (TBA)
Lecture 3: Integrity & privacy
Lecture 4: Environmental ethics
Seminar 1: Moral offsetting
Seminar 2: Engineering role: responsibility and professional ethics. Roleplay on corporate social responsibility and ethics.
Intended learning outcomes. After having completed course the student is expected to
- be able to discuss and analyse, in writing and orally, ethical problems that may arise in engineering work,
- within some engineering or technological field, in a more advanced way be able to analyse ethical problems,
- be able to reflect on the engineer position and on the role of the engineer as a contributor to a sustainable development.
Information per course offering
Choose semester and course offering to see current information and more about the course, such as course syllabus, study period, and application information.
Information for Autumn 2025 Start 27 Oct 2025 single courses students
- Course location
KTH Campus
- Duration
- 27 Oct 2025 - 12 Jan 2026
- Periods
Autumn 2025: P2 (2.5 hp)
- Pace of study
17%
- Application code
10038
- Form of study
Distance Daytime
- Language of instruction
English
- Course memo
- Course memo is not published
- Number of places
15 - 60
- Target group
- No information inserted
- Planned modular schedule
- [object Object]
- Schedule
- Part of programme
- No information inserted
Please note that Students not located in Sweden may have problems attending a course at KTH.
You could meet obstacles if you're required to pay fees or if you do not have a Swedish Mobile BankID.
Contact
Course syllabus as PDF
Please note: all information from the Course syllabus is available on this page in an accessible format.
Course syllabus AK204V (Autumn 2020–)Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
Intended learning outcomes
completed course is expected the student
be able to discuss and analyse, in writing and orally, ethical problems that may arise in engineering work,
within some engineering or technological field, in a more advanced way be able to analyse ethical problems,
be able to reflect on the engineer position and on the role of the engineer as a contributor to a sustainable development.
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
120 credits higher education
Literature
Examination and completion
Grading scale
Examination
- INL1 - Written report, 2.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
The examination consists in an academic paper, where the student applies VSD on a technology that they work already with or on a technology that is during development.
Other requirements for final grade
Active seminar participation.
Examiner
Ethical approach
- All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
- In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
- In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.