University of Derby
University of Derby
The University of Derby has been teaching geology since 1896 and is located in a region containing substantial quarrying activity. The former college of further education achieved university status in 1993 and now has 23,000 students and over 2000 staff located in Derby and Buxton. Strong links already exist between staff and local quarrying companies for the purposes of fieldwork.
Moreover, the UoD is a leading educational establishment in the delivery of knowledge by the internet; e-learning, especially bespoke courses for local employers such as NHS, Rolls Royce, RAF, Derbyshire CC and Thornton, the chocolatier.
Diploma in Quarry Technology
The Diploma in Quarry Technology replaced the IQ Professional Examination in 2007 when The Institute entered into a partnership with the University of Derby to deliver a distance learning course.
The Diploma is accredited by the University of Derby as a qualification within the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) with a value of 180 CATS points (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) equivalent to half a degree.
The distance learning programme prepares students for the university examinations through a programme of teaching and assignments delivered by mail or email and week-end tutorials held at the university.
Course content and structure
The structure of the courses from September 2008 is shown below. The content and syllabus is based upon the former Doncaster Assisted Private Study (DAPS) course which prepared students for the IQ Professional Examination and is now owned jointly by The Institute of Quarrying and Institute of Asphalt Technology.
Common Foundation Studies
SUBJECT MODULE |
MATHEMATICS |
FOUNDATION ENGINEERING |
TECHNOLOGY 1 |
TOTAL |
CAT Points |
15 |
15 |
15 |
45 |
Certificate in Quarry Technology
SUBJECT MODULE |
ENGINEERING THEORY |
QUARRY TECHNOLOGY 1 |
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS |
TOTAL |
CAT Points |
15 |
30 |
15 |
60 |
Diploma in Quarry Technology
SUBJECT MODULE |
APPLIED ENGINEERING |
QUARRY BLASTING |
QUARRY TERCHNOLOGY 2 |
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT |
TOTAL |
CAT Points |
15 |
15 |
30 |
15 |
75 |
Over the years, the former DAPS courses were continuously revised and up-dated to meet the need of industry. The most significant revisions took place in 1999, with sponsorship by a consortium of the institutes and companies in the Quarry Products Association, and in 2005 with support of MIST, part of the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund. In addition, since 1999, the teaching material, comprising approximately 200 booklets or ‘teaching units’ has been subject to a continuous rolling review every 5 years during which the units are subject to critical review by academic staff and ‘industry experts’.
Consequently, by 2006, the DAPS course in Quarry Technology delivered the ‘under-pinning’ knowledge required by a manager being assessed for the NVQ level 4 in Health, Safety and Environmental Management in the Mineral and Extractive Industries, one of the so-called SHE NVQs which are accepted by the HSE as demonstrable evidence of competence. At the same time, the Asphalt Technology course delivered the knowledge required to demonstrate competence under the National Highway Sector Quality assurance schemes and enables engineers involved in the industry to register with Engineering Council.
Those academic staff of the former DAPS Section of Doncaster College who did not retire, transferred to employment by UoD on 1st August 2007 thereby ensuring continuity of tuition and minimal disruption for the students. Existing students also transferred at the same date and accreditation of prior learning (APL) means that successful students will be awarded the Diploma.
The transfer of the courses presented an opportunity to make significant improvements to the teaching material of the Quarry Technology course with respect to creating a culture of ‘health, safety and environmental protection’. This follows the ‘MIST4’ project of 2005 which introduced advice upon protection of the environment and the health and safety of the workforce into all units. The separate module of the former DAPS course, ‘Health & Safety, Legislation & Practice’, has been dismembered and the units related to individual Acts of Parliament and Regulations included within the relevant modules upon quarry operations.
Prospective students holding educational qualifications may apply to the University to be exempted from appropriate modules and will be considered on an individual basis.
Related courses
The University of Derby offers a similar distance learning course leading to a Diploma in Asphalt Technology.
The university also offers distance learning courses for Concrete Technologists and Clay Technologists.
Links
The University of Derby Diploma in Quarry technology,
Faculty of Education, Health and Sciences,
Kedleston Road,
Derby,
DE22 1GB
United Kingdom
Administrator
Lesley Futter
Tel: 44(0)1332 591877
l.futter@derby.ac.uk