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The Core Modules are:
For up-to-date information about this award, please visit our new website. Thank you.
C1. Basic Field Skills
C2. Basic Office Skills
C3. Basic Mechanics for Soils and Rocks
C4. Basic Soil Mechanics
C5. Basic Rock Mechanics
C6. Groundwater Flow
The Electives are:
E1. Surface Hydrology
E2. Engineering and Environmental Geophysics and Monitoring
E3. Concepts and Techniques for Environmental Impact Assessments
E4. Laboratory work with Soils and Rock
E5. Field work in Practical Field Geology
E6. Design of Ground Investigation
These are outlined below.
Outline of Core Modules (Each taught by an appropriately Chartered course provider):
C1. Basic Field Skills
Identification, sampling and description of the natural materials of relevance to geotechnics and how they are recorded in the field, together with mapping.
C2. Basic Office Skills
Reading and interpretation of topographic and geological maps at various scales, section drawing, superposition of data, Stereonets and Report writing
C3. Basic Mechanics for Soils and Rocks
Definition and use of basic mechanical concepts (mass, weight, force, density etc) their units, dimensions and conversions, as relevant to the use of lab reports and BH logs. Resolution of forces and calculation of moments. Nature of load, displacement, stress, & strain; plotting of parameters; graphs and graphical manipulation of such data and its interpretation.
C4. Basic Soil Mechanics
Descriptions of soil, standard tests for description, classification, consolidation, permeability and strength of soils. Drained and undrained conditions. Total and effective stress. Plotting of typical examples of data from each of these, with analyses of the data and its interpretation. Examples of response of soils beneath foundations, around retaining walls, within slopes and embankments.
C5. Basic Rock Mechanics
Character and behaviour of rock masses, rock surfaces and of rock material. Importance of ground water. Commonly used laboratory and in-situ tests. Stability of surface and sub-surface excavations. Instrumentation and monitoring. Rock support and improvement
C6. Groundwater
Piezometers, standpipes, water-levels, hydrogeological heads and gradients, concept of permeability. Calculation of effective stress. Hydrogeological boundaries. Steady and non-steady flow. Flow nets. Field and lab tests for permeability and water quality.
Outline of Electives (Each taught by an appropriately Chartered course provider):
E1. Surface Hydrology
Catchments and boundaries, water cycle, rainfall, evapo-transpiration, and runoff -hydrographs, relevant measurements, links with groundwater; water budgets and recessions, an assessment of recharge.
E2. Engineering and Environmental Geophysics and Monitoring
Observation and monitoring with time, types and techniques, borehole and surface geophysics, inclinations and extensions, loads and pore pressures, water and air quality.
E3. Concepts and Techniques for Environmental Impact Assessments
Key aspects to be considered, hazards and risks, indices and registers, fault trees and event trees, the value of observation and monitoring, actions to follow assessments made.
E4. Laboratory work with Soils and Rock
Types of sample, protocols for sample preparation and testing, commonly requested types of test on materials and surfaces, data obtained and plots required to obtain results.
E5. Field work in Practical Field Geology
Note-books, field records, basic geomorphological processes, mapping of geomorphology and geology, recording, index tests. Groundwater. Links with sampling. Conceptual model.
E6. Design of Ground Investigation
The problem to be solved, the basic GI components of a solution, methods and outcomes, basics for accurate factual reporting and justifiable interpretation.
Each Module will have a named Course provider who will be both Chartered and practicing in the subject being taught. The named Course provider is responsible for his or her course but can enlist the help of another if that is appropriate. Class sizes would normally be no greater than 15 to 20 to enable adequate personal supervision to be given during the course work and practical sessions.
The whole programme is;
- Owned, managed and provided by First Steps Ltd.
- Quality Assured by Assessment and Training Services
- Examined by Chartered Engineers and Geologists selected by the Industrial Steering Committee
- Awarded by PAA/VQ-SET
To register for the Award please return the attached booking form to us: