The study of professional ethics is more than a hypothetical exercise, it is the very foundation of engineering practice. As engineers, it is our responsibility to understand it, develop it, and live it on a daily basis. This class explores the history of professional ethics; the ethical canons upheld by national engineering societies; and the narrow line that separates legal and professional responsibilities. Case studies on real events, including the Challenger disaster, the Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse, and the Florida International University (FIU) foot bridge collapse, bring to life the unethical choices that jeopardized public safety. It is an engineer’s responsibility to put the safety of the public first. Every decision engineers make must support the public’s expectations that they have made ethical choices to ensure their safety.