UMUC

School of Undergraduate Studies

Fire Science

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

Major in Fire Science

The major in fire science covers disaster planning and the administration of fire-protection services, encompassing all areas of incendiary-fire management. Developed in conjunction with the National Fire Academy of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the major serves fire-service professionals seeking state-of-the-art knowledge to support advancement to chief executive management and senior leadership positions. It also serves professionals in related fields such as public safety, law enforcement, government, health services, insurance, and private-industry emergency response, as well as those in military fire departments in the United States and abroad. The major provides an understanding of the interagency coordination necessary for fire prevention, emergency management, safe and successful fire-incident command, and arson investigation. The curriculum includes analytical approaches to fire protection and investigation, personnel management, disaster and fire-defense planning, hazardous materials management, fire-protection structure and system design, the role of the fire service within the community and political structure, and the phenomena of fire propagation.

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.
  • Apply personnel management procedures and practices to manage career and volunteer fire-protection organizations effectively.
  • Demonstrate fire prevention as the primary community-based strategy for fire protection and emergency management.
  • Develop and administer a comprehensive hazardous materials management program, from planning to postincident 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 and analyze their global impact on the fire problem.
  • Conduct research using library resources, information technology, analytical tools, and the scientific method to predict and control fire problems and advance the body of knowledge in fire science.
  • 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 106 Finite Mathematics (3) or 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)

Capstone Course for Major

  • HMLS 495 Public Safety Policies and Leadership (3)

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

Recommended Elective

Total credits for BS in fire science 120