Program Overview
Fire Science
Fighting Fires and Saving Lives
Program Duration
2 Year Program
Degree Type
Associate in Science (A.S.)
Total Credit Hours
62
About This Program
Gain leadership skills for fire service and other related fields. You will learn to improve your communication and critical thinking skills, use computer-assisted design software, and understand the responsibilities of a fire officer, while receiving an excellent foundation for transfer to a four-year college. The Philadelphia Fire Department recognizes the importance of the Fire Science associate’s degree by awarding a bonus of a half point on all promotional examinations to any firefighter or fire officer who earns this degree. The half point can move you ahead five or more positions on a promotional list, and if you pursue a bachelor’s degree after earning your associate’s degree, you will earn a full point bonus on all promotional examinations.
Quick Information
- General Contact Call
Transfer Opportunities
- Public university in central Pennsylvania offering diverse programs.
- A private research university offering nearly 200 programs, featuring a diverse array of majors for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Requirements
What You'll Learn
- Demonstrate skills needed for leadership in the fire service or a position in a related field, such as code enforcement, pre-fire planning, building inspection, risk management, or emergency planning.
- Explain the various requirements for fire detection and suppression systems in differing types of occupancies and structures.
- Prepare a pre-fire plan for a building using computer-assisted design software to draw floor and site plans.
- Explain fireground strategy and tactics and identify the occupational risks firefighters face and the health and safety management strategies available to reduce injuries.
- Apply the principles of the scientific approach to fire investigation and explain the important role that fire investigation and fire prevention programs play in reducing a community’s risk of fire.
- Conclusively determine the type of building construction and explain how this interfaces with hazardous materials and their impact on operations at emergency scenes.
Course Sequence
Semester 1
Course Number and Name | Credits | Advisory Notes | Course Type |
---|---|---|---|
FSCI 104 - Fire Prevention and Building Codes | 3 credits | Student Attends Fire Science Events, Lectures and Activities | Major Course |
ENGL 101 - English Composition I or ENGL 101H - English Composition I (Honors) | 3 credits | Writing, Research, Info Lit 1 | |
FSCI 111 - Emergency Scene Management | 3 credits | ||
FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra or higher | 3 credits | Quantitative Reasoning | |
FSCI 142 - Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety for Firefighters | 3 credits |
Notes:
- This program is designed to provide students with the option of entering the workforce or transferring to a bachelor's degree program after earning their associate's degree
- Follow this course schedule each semester and you’ll earn your associate’s degree in two years
- Make sure you discuss your first semester schedule and your educational plan with an advisor or counselor when you register.
Semester 2
Course Number and Name | Credits | Advisory Notes | Gen Ed Req. |
---|---|---|---|
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper or ENGL 102H - The Research Paper (Honors) | 3 credits | Writing, Research, Info Lit 2 | |
FSCI 181 - Building Construction for the Fire Service | 3 credits | ||
CHEM 110 - Introductory Chemistry | 4 credits | Scientific Reasoning | |
FSCI 271 - Hazardous Materials | 3 credits | ||
CIS 103 - Introduction to Information Technology | 3 credits | Technological Competency |
Notes:
- Don’t forget to meet with an advisor and review this schedule when registering for your classes
- Start planning for transfer:
- Did you know our dual admissions partnerships include scholarship opportunities?
- Learn more about our transfer agreements and use our interactive search tool for your program’s transfer options
- Make sure you are using Starfish Connect to track and improve your grades
- Stay on the path to success: take advantage of academic support services offered by Counseling the Learning Labs, Academic Advising and more
- Now is a good time to start financial planning for next semester:
- Manage your financial aid
- Take advantage of our payment plans and know the payment deadlines
- Apply for a scholarship— You only have to complete one application to be considered for all available scholarships
Semester 3
Course Number and Name | Credits | Advisory Notes | Gen Ed Req. |
---|---|---|---|
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology or SOC 101H - Introduction to Sociology (Honors) | 3 credits | Cultural Analysis & Interpretation | |
FSCI 172 - Fire Detection and Suppression Systems | 3 credits | ||
FSCI 221 - Fire Prevention and Protection | 3 credits | ||
World Language | 3 credits | ||
PHYS 105 - Survey of Physics | 4 credits |
Notes:
- Congratulations, this is your final semester! Don’t forget to complete your graduation application.
- Meet with an advisor when registering for your classes
- Finalize your transfer plans:
- Meet with a counselor at your selected dual admissions transfer college
- Meet with one of our College’s counselors or an advisor to review transfer requirements
- Take advantage of our scholarship opportunities for transferring students and apply for a scholarship
- Visit Career Connections to learn about internships and your future career possibilities
Semester 4
Course Number and Name | Credits | Advisory Notes | Gen Ed Req. |
---|---|---|---|
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology or PSYC 101H - 101H Introduction to Psychology (Honors) or SOC 105 - Health and Society | 3 credits | ||
FSCI 281 - Fire Investigation | 3 credits | ||
FSCI 241 - Fire Administration | 3 credits | ||
FSCI 291 - Computer Assisted Pre-Fire Planning | 3 credits | ||
ENGL 116 - Interpersonal Communication or ENGL 117 - Group and Team Communication or ENGL 118 - Intercultural Communication | 3 credits | Oral Communication/ Creative Expression |
Launch Your Career in Fire Science
- Forest Firefighters – est. salary $49,489
- Fire Inspectors and Investigators – est. salary $57,322
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers – est. salary $117,971
- Firefighters – est. salary $82,443*
Career Outlook
$70,000
Median Salary of a Municipal Firefighter
846
Number of Jobs in the Region
+6.5%
10-year Job Outlook in the Region for a Municipal Firefighter
Featured Career
Municipal Firefighter
Control and extinguish municipal fires, protect life and property and conduct rescue efforts.
Starting Pay: $31,596
Typical Tasks
- Rescue victims from burning buildings and accident sites.
- Search burning buildings to locate fire victims.
- Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons.
- Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
- Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.
Related Programs
- Criminal Justice
- Fire Science and Public Safety Proficiency Certificate