Appropriate employment

Easy access to or employment at a Heavy claywares production site is essential. Access to the internet and local library to expand the foundation knowledge-base provided by the individual sections is desirable, plus reference to additional material provided or specified by the University tutorial staff, together with the Course Handbook.

Clay Bricks and Rooftiles, Manufacturing and properties, Kornmann, M., Société de l¿industrie minérale, 2007. ISBN 2-9517765-6-X
Brick and Tile Making, Bender, W. & Handle, F., Bauverlag GMBH, Wiesbaden, Berlin, 1982. ISBN 3-7625-1485-2
Brick Clay: Issues for planning, Bloodworth AJ et al, HMSO, 2001 CR/01/117N (for DTLR)
Heavy Clay Technology (2nd Edition), Clews, F.H., Academic Press, London & New York, 1969. ISBN 9991112642
The Chemistry and Physics of clays Grimshaw RW, Benn 1971
Clays and Ceramic Raw Materials, Worrall WE, Elsevier 1986 ISBN 1-85166-004-6

This is a distance learning course in which students progress at their own pace and in a place of their choosing. Students are generally placed on the course by their employer. Contact with the students is by phone and email directly and via their in-company tutor and other in-company support. A handbook providing guidelines on the presentation of tutor based assignments and advises on how to gain maximum use of available university support (through e-mail or phone). Students are encouraged to maintain close contact with their in-company tutor and regularly discuss their coursework progress. Learning from direct observation within the factory and from colleagues engaged in different tasks of the production process is sought via the assignment work contained.

Three pieces of COURSEWORK weighted at 100% in total.

1) Short written answers to questions relating to basic ceramic shaping and forming methods, the relationship between forming method and potential problems, vacuum extrusion, the technical issues involved in choice of press and the advantages of specific finishes at the student own work place Heavy Clayware: Unit 5 learning outcomes 1, 2 & 3.
2) Written annotated technical notes and essay answers specific to clayware production testing and record keeping, raw materials testing procedures, blending and shaping testing methods, general physical testing procedures and specific tests for fired properties Unit 6 learning outcomes 1, 2 & 3
4) Written annotated technical notes and essay answers specific to quality assurance and statistical quality control, the role of statistics in quality control, control charts and Normal distribution curves and evaluate quality control systems.: Unit 4, learning outcomes 1, 2 & 3

The module contains 3 units intended for work based learning directed by purpose-written learning material.
Unit 5 Forming Methods for Heavy Clay Raw Materials, Unit 6 Properties and Testing, Unit 7 Quality Assurance and Statistical Quality Control

Student (tutor assessed) assignments have been designed to cover the range of Heavy Claywares manufacturing activities. This includes the physical processes of manufacturing and supporting activities. These sections are collectively structured in logical progression building up the student's understanding and appreciation of the underlying technology step by step.