Certificate in Asphalt Studies

Fees | Course length | Entry requirements

Why choose this course?

• It's an opportunity for experienced people from within Highway Authorities, Highways Agencies and contractors and suppliers to work together to gain a recognised academic qualification.


• The Institute of Asphalt Technology has developed and maintains the course so you can be sure what you're learning is relevant and up to date. 


• It contributes towards your continuing professional development (CPD) so you can ultimately become a Chartered Engineer.


• You'll study online and at Derby, so you can fit studying around your work commitments.

About the course

The Highway supply chain, including the responsible authority, is expected to deliver better pavements, minimum disruptions and better journey time reliability. They are faced with delivering this in challenging times with reduced funding, extreme weather changes, an ageing infrastructure and increasing regulations and bureaucracy.

This course will give you the tools to tackle these issues by developing your technical skill and knowledge of pavement design, assessment and treatment as well as network management and highways law.

The course is suitable for everyone within the industry, including roads departments and highways agencies managers and those who hold post such as:

• Highways Maintenance Technicians/Engineers
• Local Authority Engineers
• Contracts Managers
• Highways Site Supervisors

You can choose to join the five day study tour of sites relevant to the asphalt industry so you can widen your knowledge and experience.

You'll study part time over one academic year. You will need to fit it around your work commitments, so you'll need to be self motivated and be able to set aside around 12 hours per week for study.

You'll study these modules:

• Asphalt Technology 1 (15 credits)
  The module provides an understanding of technology and specifications related to the production and use of bituminous mixtures, including the characteristics of the aggregates and bitumen.  The module also explains how bituminous mixtures are used in road pavements and introduces the concept of the road pavement. The place of road pavements in history is also explained.
  

• Asphalt Technology 2 (15 credits)
  You'll build on the knowledge learnt in Asphalt Technology 1 to develop a deeper and more critical understanding of the manufacture, placement and compaction of asphalt as well as associated compliance test requirements. Sustainability will also be considered through recycling and consideration of "alternate aggregates". Principles of quality and environmental management will be described and the very important issue of safe working on highway construction and maintenance sites will be reviewed.

• Contracts Management (15 credits)
  Contracts are fundamental to the operation of the asphalt industry, especially when problems arise. During this module you'll develop your knowledge and understanding of the nature of contracts in the asphalt industry and the use and consequences of contracts.

• Pavement Design (15 credits)
  You'll develop an understanding of the way in which pavements work to protect the underlying soil, by working through the fundamental principles of pavement design leading up to the current HA design method. The module also covers pavement assessment, as required to ensure that the road surface is safe and strong enough to carrying the ever increasing traffic loading, through to the design of treatments to maintain the structure, such as overlay design, and to restore skid resistance by surface dressing. This will entail learning about the principles of skid resistance, as well as the principles of road drainage. 

Your career

On completion you'll achieve a recognised qualification that will set you apart from your colleagues, and help you to progress your career in the asphalt industry.

How you'll learn

You'll study online, and you'll have the opportunity to come to Derby for three weekend tutorials where you'll work face to face with our specialist academic staff, all of whom have extensive experience within the industry. It's also an opportunity to meet colleagues in your sector - swapping ideas and sharing best practice.

Your course materials are in an interactive electronic format and are released to you throughout the year. You'll have full online access to our library and other learning resources.

How you're assessed

You'll be assessed through a combination of exams and assignments.

Fieldtrips

You can choose to join a five day study tour of sites relevant to the asphalt industry so you can widen your knowledge and experience.

Anything else?

Apply for this course

• Download the application form
• email udc@derby.ac.uk 
• telephone 0800 678 3311