Application of ethics in engineering practice... quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

Public realisation of a degrading biosphere and a resultant demand for accountability of professionals led to the inclusion of 'non-technical' papers into university engineering curricula. This paper introduces a methodology for contextualising ethics within engineering, and profiles an outline of the course 'ethics for engineers' at RMIT University (Australia), Wismar University (Germany) and Østfold University College, (Norway). The course is delivered at final year, giving students sufficient time to comprehend and contextualise the subtlety of ethical dilemmas. This paper then explores anticipated outcomes of an 'ethics' course, in the knowledge that engineers may work for corporations that function under very different ethical constructs to those envisaged by their profession. What can and what should, an ethical engineer do when asked to compromise his/her own professional values? If inappropriate behaviour is sanctioned/requested by employers, how is this likely to be appraised by the wider community? Who regulates our practice... and ultimately, quis custodiet ipsos custodes?