School of Undergraduate Studies

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Fire Science

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in fire science.

Major in Fire Science

Secure your advancement into a management position in the exciting field of fire protection with your state-of-the art UMUC education.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a major in fire science will be able to:

Explain and apply the organizational theories and skills required for fire service administration.
Learn procedures and practices to manage career and volunteer fire-protection organizations effectively.
Develop and administer a comprehensive hazardous materials management program, from planning to post incident phases.
Analyze the legal implications and aspects of the fire department’s role in public safety.
Describe the fire-related social, cultural, behavioral, economic, and political characteristics of diverse populations in the United States and abroad.
Develop effective written communications consistent with the fire service and related professional environment.
Discuss the historical development of fire protection and apply historical lessons to contemporary issues in fire protection and emergency management.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in fire science requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 30 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 49 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Fire Science Major - Course Requirements

Coursework for a major in fire science includes the following:

Required core courses (15 credits): FSCN 302, 304, 305, 412, and 416
Required capstone course (3 credits): HMLS 495
Supplemental major courses (12 credits): Any upper-level FSCN courses
Required related course (3 credits), which may be applied anywhere in the degree: ACCT 326 (or IFSM 300)

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BS in fire science. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Coursework for the major is indicated by ‡

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3) (strongly recommended as first course)
LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)
MATH 107 College Algebra (3) or MATH 105 Mathematics: Contemporary Topics and Applications or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

GVPT 170 American Government (3) or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill the first behavioral and social sciences requirement
Both BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3) and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1) or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology or other course(s) to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement
WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing requirement
IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3) or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software
PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3) or a foreign language course or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, or literature course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3) or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology or other course to fulfill the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)
NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3) or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy or other course to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement
HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3) or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
‡ FSCN 302 Advanced Fire Administration (3)
ANTH 344 Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics (3) or SPCH 482 Intercultural Communication (recommended elective)
WRTG 390 Writing for Managers (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing or speech requirement
IFSM 300 Information Systems in Organizations (3) or ACCT 326 Accounting Information Systems (fulfills the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement; students should note prerequisites)
‡ FSCN 304 Fire-Personnel Management (3)
IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3) (recommended elective)

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

WRTG 394/394X Business Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ upper-level intensive writing requirement
‡ FSCN 305 Fire-Prevention Organization and Management (3)
‡ FSCN 412 Political and Legal Foundations of Fire Protection (3)
‡ FSCN 416 Emergency Services Training and Education (3)
‡ Any FSCN course (supplemental major course) (3)
‡ A supplemental major course (3)
‡ A supplemental major course (3)
‡ A supplemental major course (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (40)

Recommended Elective

STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics

Capstone Course for Major

HMLS 495 Public Safety Policies and Leadership (3)