Fire Science
Associate of Arts
Occupational Major
Department of Business, Innovation, and Legal Studies
Grupp 401 • Phone (215) 968-8190
Curriculum Code No. 2158
The Fire Science Associate Degree Program, which follows the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) and the National Fire Academy models, prepares the student for a position in the fire service. In addition to the courses that prepare the student to manage a complex emergency scene, the courses in this curriculum provide the student with technical information on a wide range of topics. Courses such as Building Construction, Building and Fire Code Enforcement, Hazardous Materials, Fire Protection Systems, Fire Behavior, and Fire Safety Education prepare the student for careers that are directly and indirectly related to the Fire and Emergency Service. These careers include working in code enforcement, insurance investigation, fire protection, equipment inspection, and public service. In addition, this program provides individuals, already working in the fire service or in a related field, the opportunity to prepare for promotion while at the same time earning an Associate Degree.
Graduates of this program are able to:
- Manage a fire protection organization through effective use of public and private emergency planning and resources;
- Demonstrate and apply the fundamental skills associated with firefighter safety and wellness, such as prevention, incident safety / risk management, organizational health and safety, and wellness programs;
- Evaluate fire behavior and building construction as it relates to firefighter safety, building codes, and fire prevention; and
- Apply safety codes and proper procedures for the transportation and storage of hazardous materials.
Degree Course Requirements
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| COLL101 Orientation to College | 1 |
| COMM110 Effective Speaking C,4,5 | 3 |
| COMP110 English Composition I A,C,2,10 | 3 |
| COMP111 English Composition II C,2,4,10 | 3 |
| FRSC100 Introduction to Fire Science | 3 |
| FRSC103 Building Construction for the Fire Service C | 3 |
| FRSC104 Fire Prevention and Code Enforcement C | 3 |
| FRSC105 Fire Prevention Systems C,9 | 3 |
| FRSC112 Fire Behavior and Combustion | 3 |
| FRSC114 Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival | 3 |
| FRSC202 Hazardous Materials C | 3 |
| FRSC208 Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Administration A,C | 3 |
| FRSC209 Fire Service Occupational Safety & Health A,C | 3 |
| FRSC210 Fire and Life Safety Education A,C | 3 |
| MATH101 Mathematical Concepts I A,C,2,6 | 3 |
| Arts/Humanities Elective B,1 | 3 |
| Emergency Services & Management Electives E | 9-10 |
| Science Elective A,C,D,7 | 3-4 |
| SOCI110 Introduction to Sociology 2,3,8 | 3 |
| OR | |
| PSYC110 Introduction to Psychology 2,3,8 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 61-63 |
Recommended Full-Time Semester Sequence
The recommended course sequence is designed for full-time students who average 15 credit hours per semester. Students may need more time to complete major requirements based on placement testing. This additional time will entail some adjustment to the sequence recommended.
First Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| COLL101 Orientation to College | 1 |
| COMP110 English Composition I A,C,2,10 | 3 |
| FRSC100 Introduction to Fire Science | 3 |
| FRSC112 Fire Behavior and Combustion | 3 |
| FRSC114 Fire and Emergency Services Safety and Survival | 3 |
| SOCI110 Introduction to Sociology 2,3,8 | 3 |
| OR | |
| PSYC110 Introduction to Psychology 2,3,8 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 16 |
Second Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| FRSC103 Building Construction for the Fire Service C | 3 |
| FRSC104 Fire Prevention and Code Enforcement C | 3 |
| FRSC105 Fire Prevention Systems C,9 | 3 |
| COMP111 English Composition II C,2,4,10 | 3 |
| Science Elective A,C,D,7 | 3-4 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15-16 |
Third Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| COMM110 Effective Speaking C,4,5 | 3 |
| FRSC202 Hazardous Materials C | 3 |
| FRSC210 Fire and Life Safety Education A,C | 3 |
| Emergency Services & Management Electives E | 3-4 |
| Arts/Humanities Elective B,1 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15-16 |
Fourth Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| FRSC208 Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Administration A,C | 3 |
| FRSC209 Fire Service Occupational Safety & Health A,C | 3 |
| MATH101 Mathematical Concepts I A,C,2,6 | 3 |
| Emergency Services & Management Electives E | 6-7 | Total Credit Hours | 15-16 |
Fire Science Electives
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| FRSC201 Firefighting Strategy and Tactics C | 3 |
| FRSC204 Legal Aspects of Emergency Services C | 3 |
| FRSC206 Fire Investigator I A,C | 3 |
| FRSC214 Fire Plan Review C | 3 |
| FRSC216 Fire Investigation II C | 3 |
| FRSC227 Pre-emergency Planning and Computer Aided Design C,9 | 3 |
| FRSC280 Fire and Emergency Services Internship C | 3 |
NOTE: By taking FRSC 204, FRSC206, FRSC214, and FRSC216, you can complete the Fire Prevention and Investigation Certificate requirements in addition to the Fire Science Associate Degree and Certificate.
A Placement testing required
B Arts/Humanities (Gen Ed Core) Requirement: Consult the approved list of courses
C Course requires prerequisites and/or co-requisites
D Choose from: BIOL101, CHEM101, SCIE103, or SCIE104
E Choose three courses from: ACCT105, CRIJ120, CRIJ130, CRIJ160, CRIJ210, CRIJ260, CRIJ275, FRSC201, FRSC204, FRSC206, FRSC214, FRSC216, FRSC227, FRSC280, HLTH103, HLTH110, MGMT140, MGMT200, MGMT230, MGMT250, MEDA120, PUBS104, PUBS206, PUBS207, PUBS212, and POLI120 (Some CRIJ courses, may be used with prior written approval from the Public Safety Department Head.)
1 Satisfies Arts/Humanities
2 Satisfies Critical Thinking
3 Satisfies Diversity
4 Satisfies Information Literacy
5 Satisfies Oral Communication
6 Satisfies Quantitative Literacy
7 Satisfies Scientific Literacy
8 Satisfies Social Sciences
9 Satisfies Technological Competence
10 Satisfies Writing
View the AA.2158 Fire Science Associates Degree Assessment & AA.2158 Fire Science Associates Degree Outcomes