Asphalt Technology (Diploma)
Fees |
Course length |
Entry requirements
Why choose this course?
- Long established links with industry (37 years in the case of quarrying and 21 years in the case of Asphalt Technology).
- The opportunity for experienced people from within the industry to gain a recognised and highly regarded academic qualification.
- Provision of a flexible and cost effective method of study.
- Teaching materials are developed in conjunction with industry experts to ensure that they reflect best industry practice.
- The learning experience is further developed by a programme of tutorial weekends.
About the course
If you're already working in the asphalt industry or have an interest in it, this course will give you a nationally recognised qualification that will help you to gain professional credibility.
During this course you'll develop your technical skill and knowledge of asphalt related industries and their impact upon the environment. You'll learn the skills you need to communicate effectively and operate successfully within the industry, including problem solving and working on your own initiative, and we'll encourage you to become a lifelong learner.
You'll normally have to fit this course around your work commitments - you will usually need to study for 12 hours each week, so you'll need to be self motivated.
This course usually takes three years to complete, but you may already have qualifications that mean you are exempt from certain parts of the Diploma and are able to start at the Certificate stage (second stage), or undertake a one year course.
You'll study by distance learning, and you'll have the opportunity to come to Derby for four weekends each year for tutorials, where you'll receive face to face teaching and personal development. You'll also have the option to go on a five day study tour each year to widen your knowledge and experience where you'll visit a number of quarries, and manufacturers and suppliers to the asphalt industry.
The course materials will be available in electronic form and you'll have electronic access to our library and other learning resources.
Find out more about what subjects and modules you'll be studying...
Subject to exemption, which will be decided on an individual basis, you'll study the following:
Modules
Stage 1
Modules you have to take:
 Applied Engineering What will I cover in this module?
This module builds on the more theoretical modules that have come before to extend your understanding of mechanical power transmission systems, electrical power transmission systems, usage costs and savings as they are applied to plant and instrumentation in the quarrying and asphalt industry.
The module will also develop an understanding of the principles and concepts associated with heat and fuels and their application, hydraulic systems, their application and associated dangers, the principles of physics relating to the behaviour of gases and applying these to the construction and operations of compressors, pumps and internal combustions engines.
Finally, the module will develop an awareness of the fundamental principles of corrosion and the need for lubrication and bearings, an understanding of plant operating and maintainance schemes.
After completing the module you'll be able to:
- Understand and apply the theories and concepts associated with sensible and latent heat and specific heat capacity, and the equations of combustion, particularly, in respect of the burning of fuel oil, and related to the asphalt and quarrying industries.
- Recognise and understand the implication of corrosion and the need for lubrication and demonstrate an understanding of the need for, and the implementation of, a planned maintainance system.
- Understand and apply concepts and theories associated with the economics of electrical power transmission and electrical safety devices and apply their own experience and observation to develop a wider theoretical and practical understanding of the use of electricity in asphalt plans.
- Integration of applied engineering systems.
How will I be assessed?
70% Examination
30% Coursework How many credits is it worth?
15 |
| Asphalt Technology 1 What will I cover in this module?
This module provides you with the links to understand the issues associated with the technology surrounding the production and utilisation of asphalt, including loading and transporting quarried materials, production of the bituminous product and the associated health, safety and environmental issues.
After completing the module you'll be able to:
- Identify and describe the various issues associated with the production and utilisation of asphalt
- Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of the pavement and the requirements for the development of the product
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the principles of health and safety as associated with and adhered to in the asphalt industry.
How will I be assessed?
70% Examination
30% Coursework How many credits is it worth?
15 |
| Asphalt Technology 2 What will I cover in this module?
This module builds on Asphalt Technology 1 to develop a deeper and critical understanding of the principles of pavement design and laying.
After completing this module you'll be able to:
- Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the methodologies utilised in the production of the road surface and the principles of pavement design, construction and maintainance.
- Have a critical understanding of the health, safety and environmental concerns.
How will I be assessed?
70% Examination
30% Coursework How many credits is it worth?
15 |
| Business Management What will I cover in this module?
The quarrying and road surface (asphalt) industry provides employment for around 60,000 people and contributes £6 billion to the UK economy. This module raises awareness of the industry's relevance to the national academy and develops the business knowledge and skills necessary to achieve the effective management of a quarry. This includes an understanding of the human and financial implications of running a successful business.
The module also cultivates an appreciation of the importance of effective management in achieving the highest standards of performace in health, safety and the environment.
After completing this module you'll be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the commercial, legal, financial and ethical issues affecting the extractives industries.
- Show knowledge and understanding of the implications of management styles, motivation, communication and teamwork on the performance of a business and the importance of people in developing a viable business and the ability to integrate the theories and concepts of business management into the operation of a quarry.
- Show knowledge and understanding of the management skills needed to achieve the highest possible standards in health, safety and environmental performance and the application of this knowledge, in a critical manner, to practical situations in the workplace.
How will I be assessed?
70% Examination
30% Coursework How many credits is it worth?
15 |
| Construction Materials What will I cover in this module?
Aggregates form the basis of many construction materials. This module will develop your knowledge with regards to construction materials made with aggregates, and the standards, specifications and other requirements that apply to them. It will include aspects such as the methods used to sample and test aggregates, bituminous mixtures and ready mixed concrete in a safe way.
In addition, the module will develop knowledge of the principles of mixture design; and the methods of making and using bituminous mixtures and ready mixed concrete and knowledge of the techniques used to manage product quality so as to satisfy the needs of suppliers of construction materials and their customers.
After completing this module you'll be able to:
- Have knowledge and practical understanding of the appropriate sampling and testing methods and procedures used to determine the characteristics of aggregates that are apropriate to the intended end-use, including the safety requirements.
- Have knowledge of the different grades of having bitumen, different types of bituminous mixture and their use in road pavement layers and the methods used to sample, test and control the quality of bituminous mixtures.
- Have knowledge of the principles of concrete technology, the range of raw materials used and methods of specifying, sampling, testing and quality control the ready mixed concrete.
- Have an understanding of the underlying concepts and theories, which support these solutions and by problem solving apply their own experience and observation to develop a wider theoretical and practical understanding of quarry technology.
How will I be assessed?
70% Examination
30% Coursework How many credits is it worth?
15 |
| Contracts Management What will I cover in this module?
Contracts are fundamental to the operation of the asphalt industry, especially when problems arise. This module seeks to provide you with a detailed background to this topic.
After completing this module you'll be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the nature of contracts in relation to the asphalt industry.
- Have a practical understanding of the use and consequences of contracts in the asphalt industry.
How will I be assessed?
70% Examination
30% Coursework How many credits is it worth?
15 |
| Engineering Theory What will I cover in this module?
The engineering concept in the quarrying and asphalt industries is fundamental to the successful operation of plant. This module builds on Foundation Engineering to further develop your understanding of the principles of mechanics and their application in quarry technology. In particular, this module will focus on an understanding of the principles and concepts associated with the use of ac electricity and its application in quarry technology. In conjunction with the principles of engineering the module will develop the understanding necessary to enable the risk associated with the technology of quarrying to be properly assessed.
After completing this module you'll be able to:
- Understand and apply concepts and theories associated with alternating electrical supplies, electromagnetic induction, electrical machines and transformers, linear and circular motion, and understand and apply the concepts of resistive motion.
- Understand and practically apply these concepts and theories in order to providing a safer environment in which to work.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the underlying concepts and theories, which support these solutions and by problem solving apply your own experience and observation to develop a wider theoretical and practical understanding of asphalt technology.
How will I be assessed?
70% Examination
30% Coursework How many credits is it worth?
15 |
| Foundation Engineering What will I cover in this module?
The principles of electrical and mechanical engineering are fundamental to the operation of quarry plant. This module aims to develop an understanding of the principles and concepts of basic mechanics and to introduce the basic theories and concepts of electricity, electrical circuits, electrical measurement, magnetism and electromagnetic induction.This module requires you to apply your own experience and observation to develop a wider understanding of the use of engineering principles in the field of quarry technology.
After completing this module you'll be able to:
- Gain an understanding of the principles and applications of electrical and mechanic engineering theory and practice.
- Understand the relationship and practical application of the principles of electrical and mechanical engineering to the quarrying and asphalt industries.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the underlying concepts and theories, which support these solutions and by problem solving apply your own experience and observation to develop a wider theoretical and practical understanding of quarry technology.
How will I be assessed?
70% Examination
30% Coursework How many credits is it worth?
15 |
| Geology, Surveying and Earthworks What will I cover in this module?
This module establishes the baseline for the development of earthwork design as associated with the laying of the pavement. It considers the range of natural materials that may be used and how the geology of sites influences the highway.
Ater completing this module you'll be able to:
- Understand the reasons for, and consequences of the distribution of the aggregate mineral resources of the British Isles.
- Understand the design principles and mechanical basis of earthworks.
- Understand the underlying principles of surveying utilised in the asphalt industry, particularly levelling and curve ranging.
How will I be assessed?
70% Examination
30% Coursework How many credits is it worth?
15 |
| Industry Technology What will I cover in this module?
This module provides a broad introduction to geological processes and phenomena and to the fundamental principles and concepts surrounding the role of Earth Sciences in a modern technological society. The module will introduce the concept of resources, methods of exploration and exploitation, the importance of geological resources to the construction industry, geotechnical aspects of civil engineering and the identification of geological hazards.
After completing this module you'll be able to:
- Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of what constitutes a resource, together with the nature and exploitation of geological resources, including the importance of managing the environment in a sustainable way.
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the importance of health, safety and environmental issues to the successful conduct of any business.
- Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of geological principles, processes and phenomena and an understanding of the scope of applied geology.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the underlying concepts and theories, which support these solutions and by problem solving apply your own experience and observation to develop a wider theoretical and practical understanding of quarry technology.
How will I be assessed?
70% Examination
30% Coursework How many credits is it worth?
15 |
| Mathematics What will I cover in this module?
Mathematics is fundamental to both the Quarrying and Asphalt industries, where it is used in a variety of settings from resource estimation to load calculation. This module will give you an understandng of mathematical principles and techniques and then you'll be able to apply them to applications in the fields of engineering and quarry technology. Once this has been gained you'll apply your own experience and observation to develop a wider understanding of the use of mathematics. After completing this module you'll be able to: - Understand and apply geometric truths in the solution of problems related to the quarrying and asphalt industry.
- Complete, describe and interpret statistical analyses of data.
- Understand and solve arithmetic problems, based on examples from the quarrying and asphalt industry, to an appropriate degree of accuracy using general laws in symbolic form where necessary.
How will I be assessed?
70% Examination
30% Coursework How many credits is it worth?
15 |
| Pavement Design What will I cover in this module?
This module establishes the basis for testing of the road surface, and essential criterion for the safe use of the pavement.
After completing this module you'll be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the principles of pavement design
- Apply the procedures used in highway testing.
How will I be assessed?
70% Examination
30% Coursework How many credits is it worth?
15 |
Your career
By completing this course 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. The qualification provides the knowledge that the Institute of Asphalt Technology
require for full professional status in the organisation, but there are additional criteria such as industry experience which you'll need to meet to become a member.
A special top up qualification has been made available for students who want to broaden their knowledge. On completion of your diploma in Asphalt/Quarry Technology you can take the modules that were studied by your colleagues on the Asphalt/Quarry Technology Diploma and on completion receive the award of the University Certificate in Asphalt/Quarry Technology.
On completion of your diploma in Asphalt Technology you have the opportunity to undertake a special top up qualification in
Quarry Technology. This qualification enables you to take the modules that were studied by your colleagues on the Quarry
Technology Diploma and on successful completion receive the award of the University Certificate in Quarry Studies.
What our students say
"As a supervisor I have found aspects of the course particularly useful such as the accountancy and management aspects and practical aspects in applied engineering. I think it is important to have this qualification in order to progress in the asphalt industry."
How you'll learn
You'll study by distance learning, supported by four or five weekend tutorials each year, held in Derby at Kedleston Road. Course materials are currently paper-based and are fully supported by electronic access to the library and other learning resources. However, many of the learning materials will soon become available in electronic format.
Anything else?
You can apply online for this course throughout the year. We'll contact you to confirm that we've received your application and if you're successful, we'll send you information on how to enrol online in August.
If you're being sponsored to complete your course you'll need to provide a sponsor letter from your employer confirming that they're paying your fees. You can find a template of the sponsor letter at www.derby.ac.uk/enrolment/information/online-enrolment-overview.
Fees 2009/10 *
Please contact us for details of the fees for this course.
Course length
Part time: 3 years
Entry requirements
These courses are open to all. If you have experience in the quarrying industry plus positive ...
These courses are open to all. If you have experience in the quarrying industry plus positive support from your employer, we will welcome your application.
If you don't currently work in this industry, you will need at least 2 passes at A level or equivalent, plus at least 5 GCSEs including Maths and English.
If your first language is not English, we normally require one of the following qualifications:
- IELTS 6.0
- TOEFL 550 (PC 213, online 93)
- International GCE O Level English Grade C
- International GCSE English/ English as a Second Language Grade C
You should ideally contact us in July to start the course in September.
Standard entry requirements
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