Highway Engineering Technology, Bridge Inspection Concentration, AAS

Major Code: 3704

Program Description

This degree initiated as a collaborative effort between the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) and BridgeValley Community and Technical College. It serves technicians working in the public sector of the civil / highways fields and also those working in private industry. The aim of the program is to develop skilled technicians and technologists to service the highway and bridge inspection industry. The program provides a career path by offering academic courses for advancement in the Highway Engineering Technology technician certification program in West Virginia. The Bridge Inspection emphasis under the Highway Engineering Technology A.A.S. degree is intended for technicians working in the field of bridge inspection. Technicians in this program may advance through a series of levels based on their years of work experience and technical competency in the various technical aspects of the bridge inspection field.

Program Objectives

In addition to the learning outcomes set forth in the general education core curriculum for the associate of applied science degree, specific outcomes for this program have been established. Upon completion of this program should be able to:

• Demonstrate an appropriate mastery of topics encountered by the bridge safety inspector including inspection techniques, evaluation, scour and erosion, and of topics related to the structural elements encountered in the field during the bridge safety inspection process.
• Perform routine calculations common to bridge safety inspection and construction technician work.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively by written and oral means.
• Demonstrate an awareness of safety issues related bridge construction and safety inspection and to use this knowledge to maintain a safe working environment.
• Exhibit appropriate workplace behavior and display a commitment to quality, dependability, and ethical conduct.
• Understand and use standard documents encountered in bridge safety inspection.
• Demonstrate knowledge of federal and state manuals and standards applicable to bridge safety inspection.