Engineering Judgement in the AI Era (ELEC 300-E)
(2-2-0)
A new course on problem formulation, critical thinking, and engineering leadership
“The formulation of a problem is often more essential than its solution.” — Albert Einstein
The most successful engineering designs do not begin with a solution—they begin with identifying and framing the right problem.
In Engineering Judgement in the AI Era (Previously titled: Engineering Critical Design Practice), you will learn how engineers formulate meaningful, well-grounded problems that become the foundation for innovative technical solutions, entrepreneurial ventures, and impactful engineering work.
In this course, you will:
- Develop critical thinking skills sought by industry that complement your technical expertise and help you work more effectively with emerging tools such as Generative AI. These skills are increasingly recognized as essential for future engineers and technology leaders. [Lindebaum, 2024; World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report 2025, Figures 3.3 and 3.4]
- Learn how to formulate and validate engineering problems by applying frameworks drawn from engineering, entrepreneurship, business, psychology, and sociology. You will develop problem statements that serve as strong foundations for engineering design projects, research initiatives, and technology ventures.
- Engage in peer-driven discussions and analysis of contemporary technology case studies involving sustainability, privacy, security, ethics, and societal impact. The course emphasizes active participation, debate, and collaborative learning rather than passive content consumption.
This course satisfies the degree requirement for Impact of Engineering on Society, Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship.
Whether your goals include technical leadership, entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary collaboration, product development, or graduate studies, the ability to identify and frame the right problem is one of the most valuable skills you can develop as an engineer.
For more information, please contact the course instructor Paul Lusina (paull@ece.ubc.ca).
4 credits