Program Presentation
Since ancient times, ceramics has been a technique that has served mankind to improve their quality of life. Today, we can say that ceramics is involved in three major aspects:
- The manufacture of ceramic products.
- The environmental impact of the ceramic industry.
- Ceramics as a tool for waste recycling.
In this context, the Ceramics Science and Technology Program is ambitious, because it is focused on obtaining ceramic products from every perspective that needs to be known and valued. From the point of view of basic science, the nature of raw materials is looked at, but the technological component always takes precedence.
The program follows the logical sequence of a ceramic production plant. After an introductory section, a series of seven subjects from ceramic technology itself are given. Subsequently, there are two courses that focus on types of ovens, cooking utensils, fuel and saving energy. In addition, two more courses are offered regarding properties, norms, placement and pathology of ceramic materials.
Finally, one last subject is devoted to the role of ceramics in the recycling of waste and the environmental impact of the ceramic industry. The recommended bibliography is included at the end of each course.The purpose of this multidisciplinary course is to present the experiences of a technician who has spent much of his professional life between the factory, research and teaching about ceramics. Therefore, the program is based on a system that places emphasis on the technological element without compromising scientific rigor. To this end, each course is reviewed by a top technical or scientific professional.
Who is the programme for?
The proposed methodology and a clear and diverse curriculum, makes the Ceramic Technology and Science Program designed for people without academic qualifications who wish to receive training in this field, as well as for graduates and professionals that wish to expand job opportunities.
Diploma
Successful completion of the Program will enable you to be awarded the degree in Experto Universitario en TECNOLOGÍA Y CIENCIA CERÁMICA.
After successfully completing the Program, the student will receive the degree as awarded by the University where they have enrolled.
Program Structure
The credit structure of the Ceramics Science and Technology program is shown in the following table. It should be noted that the duration is merely indicative, as the methodology followed integrates the knowledge and skills to be acquired in each part through integrative exercises of knowledge acquisition and internalization of project practices:
| CREDITSa | |
|---|---|
| Subjects | 30 |
a. The equivalence in credits may vary according to the university where he/she has enrolled. One (1) ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credit is equivalent to 10 + 15 hours. If the student is enrolled in a university that does not belong to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), the relation between credits - hours may vary.
Duration
The program in Ceramics Science and Technology has 30 credits.
The duration of the program in Ceramics Science and Technology varies between 9 and 12 months, depending on the student's dedication. In this period of time, the student must have successfully passed all the evaluated activities and approved the Final Project, if any.
Objectives
General Objective:
- To teach technicians about the various stages of the manufacturing of ceramic products, and how each and every one of them affects manufactured material.
Specific Objectives:
- To outline a number of properties related to sustainability and the environment, aspects in which ceramics have a great future.
- To learn about the pre-treatment of clay at the onset of its entrance into the processing plant, along with its mineralogy and evolution throughout the firing process.
- To describe the shredding techniques according to the type of available raw material and the material produced.
- To study the plasticity of the ceramic pastes and the forming techniques of the ceramic materials.
- To analyze the stages of the drying process and the internal and external factors affecting its parameters and, consequently, it’s kinetics.
- To become familiar with the forms of heat transmission during firing, consequent problems and impact on quality of the ceramic product.
- To interpret the impact of the quality of fuel /oxidizer mixture in heat treatment and how it reflects in the combustion diagrams.
- To create a frame of reference in order to know and be able to assess specific consumption needs.
- To learn about the properties of ceramic materials, from their behavior in acidic or alkaline media to its acoustic properties, including its resistance to temperatures, abrasion or moisture, among others.
- To describe thermal and acoustic insulation in brick factories.
- To learn the main techniques for laying materials and other integral elements, and to assess construction pathology.
- To analyze the main types of glazes (color, texture, applications ...) and their interaction and influence with temperature and time.
- To assess the environmental impact associated with the life cycle of ceramic materials, from raw material extraction to its elimination as waste.
- To learn the main ways of using ceramic technology for the waste recovery, whether from ceramic production itself or from its use in other industries.
Career Opportunities
Some of the career opportunities of the Ceramic Science and Technology program are the following:
- Technicians in charge of of ceramic factories.
- Quarry operator.
- Manufacturer of furnaces for firing ceramics.
- Person in charge of quality and environment in the manufacture of ceramic products.
- Jobs related to ceramic floor tiles.
Study Plan
The Ceramic Science and Technology Program include a module composed of thirteen subjects, including practical experiences of the author in this field.
The module allows one to know and understand, firstly the theoretical, conceptual and historical foundations involved in ceramic science and, secondly, its organizational, social and technological implementation.
The goal is for students to gain an overview of the ceramics sector, through different related multidisciplinary topics.
The subjects and corresponding hours which make up the module are shown in the following table:
| # | SUBJECTS | HOURS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to ceramics | 20 |
| 2 | Influence of raw materials in the ceramic process | 20 |
| 3 | The nature of clay and its ceramization | 20 |
| 4 | Crushing and particle size distribution | 20 |
| 5 | Shaping ceramic products | 20 |
| 6 | Drying ceramic products | 20 |
| 7 | Cooking ceramic products | 30 |
| 8 | Combustion and Fuels. Types of burners | 20 |
| 9 | Saving measures. Mass and energy balances | 30 |
| 10 | Properties of ceramic materials | 20 |
| 11 | Standardization, positioning and pathology of ceramic materials | 30 |
| 12 | Enamels and ceramic glazes | 30 |
| 13 | Environmental aspects in the manufacture of ceramic materials | 20 |
| TOTAL | 300 |
These subjects, despite being independent, are structured according to a consistent pedagogical order that facilitates their understanding of increasing complexity. Each subject is divided into basic thematic units or chapters; the content includes printed material to be studied to satisfactorily answer the assessment test.
Management
- Dr. Eduardo García Villena. Doctor in Project Engineering: Environment, Safety, Quality and Communications from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. Academic Director for the Environment Area at the Ibero-american University Foundation.
- Dra (c). Lina Pulgarín Osorio. Doctor in Projects from the Ibero-american International University (in process). Master in Comprehensive Management Prevention, Environment and Quality from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. Academic Coordinator for the Master in Occupational Risk Prevention and associated Specializations.
FUNIBER Training Scholarships
The Iberoamerican University Foundation (FUNIBER) allocates periodically an extraordinary economic item for FUNIBER Training Scholarships.
To apply, please fill out the information request form that appears in the web of FUNIBER or contact directly the Foundation’s headquarters in your country that will inform you if you need to provide some additional information.
Once the documentation is received, the Evaluation Committee will determine your application's eligibility for the FUNIBER Training Scholarship.