An society and ethics course was originally developed as part of the NSF WIMS ERC, but expanded to include topics related to nanotechnology. The title of the course is Societal Impact of Microsystems (EECS 598) taught by Prof. K. D. Wise. This course reviews the challenges the global society will face during the next fifty years and how microsystems can help meet them. Classes consist of lectures by invited speakers followed by a panel discussion. The course examines issues such as the population explosion and its expected impacts on energy consumption, pollution, and global warming. Developments in transportation, health care, space exploration, information technology, nanotechnology, and homeland security are also considered along with engineering ethics.
