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Fire Science Technology

Program Codes: FIRE.AAS
Associate in Applied Science

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This program meets the continuing education needs of professional and volunteer firefighters. It enables firefighters to perform their current duties more effectively and to prepare for greater levels of responsibility within the fire service system.

Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the Program will be able to:

  • Identify minimum qualifications for operations in the Fire Service Identify minimum qualifications and entry level skills for firefighter hiring and rescue company operations in the Fire Service.
  • Analyze, appraise, and evaluate fire and emergency incidents and identify components of emergency management and firefighter safety.
  • Comprehend laws, regulations, codes, and standards that influence fire department operations, and identify regulatory and advisory organizations that create and mandate them, especially in the areas of fire prevention, building codes and ordinances, and firefighter health and safety.
  • Analyze the causes of fire, determine extinguishing agents and methods, differentiate the stages of the fire and fire development, and compare methods of heat transfer.
  • Differentiate between fire detection and fire suppression systems.
  • Identify and describe common types of building construction and conditions associated with structural collapse and firefighter safety.
Contact the Department Chairperson

Recommended Course Sequence

Semester I

Introduction to Fire Protection
Course Code:
FSC-103
Course Description:
Introduces the history and philosophy of fire protection including a review of statistics of loss of life and property by fire; introduction to agencies involved in fire protection systems and extinguishing agents; firefighting strategy and tactics; fire department organization and equipment; legislative developments; and the discussion of current related problems and future needs related to fire protection, including the study of legal rights, duties, liability concerns and responsibilities of fire department organizations.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
x
FSC-103
Introduction to Fire Protection
3
Principles of General, Organic and Biochemistry
Course Code:
CHM-107
Course Group(s):
GE MST
Course Description:

An introduction to basic concepts of inorganic, organic and biochemistry. Topics include the metric system, ionic and covalent bonding, acids, bases and salts, radioactivity, solutions, colloids, emulsions, gases and important organic compound classes such as alcohols, ethers, esters, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and enzymes. This course is required for students in Dental Hygiene, Pharmacy Assistant and Respiratory Care.

Credit:
4
Instruction methods:
lab: 2 Hours, Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites:

One year of high school laboratory chemistry or CHM-010

x
CHM-107
Principles of General, Organic and Biochemistry
4
English Composition I
Course Code:
ENG-121
Course Group(s):
GE COM
Course Description:

Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing documented essays. Extensive reading materials serve as structural models and as the bases for discussion and for the writing of essays involving response, analysis, and synthesis.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites:

A passing score on the College Placement Test; or a grade of "C" or better in ENG-010 and RDG-011 (RDG-011 can be a co-requisite; or a grade of "C" or better in ESL-097 and ESL-098.

Corequisites:

RDG-011 may be taken as a co-requisite if not previously completed with a grade of "C" or better.

x
ENG-121
English Composition I
3
GE Mathematics Elective
Course Code:
MAT-EL1
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
__ __
GE Mathematics Elective
3

Select one course from MAT-101, MAT-102 or MAT-123.

United States State and Local Government
Course Code:
POS-201
Course Group(s):
GE SS
Course Description:

A comparative analysis of the state, county and municipal levels of government in the United States is offered. Particular attention is given to New Jersey government and politics, state party organizations, interest groups and electorate behavior, as well as the formal governmental structure.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
x
POS-201
United States State and Local Government
3

Semester II

Building Construction
Course Code:
FSC-204
Course Description:
Provides fire service personnel with an understanding of the basic principles of building construction and how design considerations and materials selection affect the life safety of both the building's occupants and firefighters. The five different types of construction will be covered in detail: wood frame, ordinary, non-combustible, and fire-resistive. Case studies of catastrophic fire losses will be examined from the building construction viewpoint and new construction materials and techniques will be explored.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites:

FSC-103 or written permission of the department chairperson

x
FSC-204
Building Construction
3
Fire Strategy and Tactics
Course Code:
FSC-206
Course Description:
Principles of fire control through preplanning and fire ground decision making: the size-up emphasizes life safety of occupants and fire fighting personnel as well as effective utilization of manpower, apparatus, and equipment for preservation of life and confinement of fire. Case studies of fire ground decisions are reviewed.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites:

FSC-103 or written permission of the department chairperson

x
FSC-206
Fire Strategy and Tactics
3
Fire Suppression and Detection Systems
Course Code:
FSC-209
Course Description:
Fundamentals of design and installation of fixed fire protection systems. Selection and application of fire suppression and detection systems as well as engineering principles are covered. Systems studied will include, but are not limited to: sprinkler, standpipe, dry chemical, foam, halon, carbon dioxide, smoke/heat/fire detection, evacuation/public address and explosion. Case studies address issues related to systems selection, installation and maintenance.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites:

FSC-103 or written permission of the department chairperson

x
FSC-209
Fire Suppression and Detection Systems
3
English Composition II
Course Code:
ENG-122
Course Group(s):
GE COM
Course Description:
Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing argument synthesis essays. Students engage in formal written argumentation based on extensive reading and analysis of complex texts. Through the research process, students will locate, analyze, and synthesize scholarly sources to advance their own informed positions on relevant issues in the composition of a formal research paper.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites:

A grade of “C” or better in ENG-121

x
ENG-122
English Composition II
3
Computer Applications and Systems
Course Code:
CSC-105
Course Group(s):
GE MST
Course Description:

This course defines computers and computer applications and their use in business, industry and government. Students completing this course will be computer fluent. Students will understand the capabilities and limitations of computers and know how to use them. In addition, students will understand computers and their ethical, legal and societal implications. Topics include the history of computers, hardware devices, software programs, terminology, privacy of information, ethical behavior and the influence of computers on people and society. Hands-on experience includes: using a Windows operating system, a word processor, designing and implementing spreadsheets and producing presentations. This course is recommended for anyone who will be involved with computers and the use of computer application software.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
x
CSC-105
Computer Applications and Systems
3

Semester III

Fire and Arson Investigation
Course Code:
FSC-210
Course Description:
Fire causes, natural and accidental; fire and police investigation; orientation and introduction to arson and incendiarism; laws of arson; technical analysis of arson and fraud; collection and preservation of evidence; photography, diagrams and notes; interviewing and detention of witnesses; records, reports, briefs and court procedures; arson prevention; processing of criminal evidence and pertinent procedures required by statute.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites:

FSC-103 or written permission of the department chairperson

x
FSC-210
Fire and Arson Investigation
3
Fire Prevention and Inspection
Course Code:
FSC-212
Course Description:
Basic principles of fire prevention and inspection, emphasizing recognition of fire hazards and the protection systems minimizing and/or coping with these hazards; includes methods of building inspection, enforcement of applicable laws, codes and ordinances and consideration of practical test facilities.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites:

FSC-103 or written permission of the department chairperson

x
FSC-212
Fire Prevention and Inspection
3
Fire Department Organization and Management
Course Code:
FSC-211
Course Description:

An exploration of organizational principles with emphasis on the basic concepts of management and organization of fire     departments, including a study of history, types and methods. Emphasis is placed on supervisory  responsibilities and functions.  Also an examination of structure and types of fire department organizations: line and staff, formal and informal. Topics include personnel management, recruitment, training, drill, discipline, management of apparatus and equipment, budget preparation and record keeping, safety of operations, communication and public relations.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites:

FSC-103

x
FSC-211
Fire Department Organization and Management
3
Principles of Occupational Safety and Health
Course Code:
SCI-222
Course Description:

An introduction to industrial hygiene. This course examines the sampling and analytical techniques required to evaluate the safety and health hazards associated with the chemical, physical, biological and other stresses in the industrial environment. This course gives the student an understanding of the Fundamentals of Occupational Safety and Health and prepares the student for further training in Industrial Hygiene.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
lab: 2 Hours, Lecture: 2 Hours
Prerequisites:

CHM-107 or equivalent

x
SCI-222
Principles of Occupational Safety and Health
3
GE Humanities Elective
Course Code:
HUM-EL2
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
__ __
GE Humanities Elective
3

Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Humanities (GE HUM).

Semester IV

Hazardous Materials
Course Code:
FSC-207
Course Description:
Chemical characteristics related to storage, transportation and handling of hazardous materials, i.e., flammables, combustibles, oxidizers, explosives, compressed gasses. Emphasizes emergency response, mitigation and fire suppression. Students will also receive certification in the awareness and operational levels of hazmat responder requirements as per OSHA 1910.120. Provides an introduction to the technician and incident commander levels of hazmat responder requirements.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites:

FSC-103 or written permission of the department chairperson

x
FSC-207
Hazardous Materials
3
Fire Science Hydraulics
Course Code:
FSC-213
Course Description:
Fire Science Hydraulics will introduce the student to the study of water and its movement as it relates to fire suppression. The information gained in this class will provide a Fire Pump Operator with in depth understanding of fire hydrant hydraulics. The application of mathematics and the physics of principles of Archimedes, Bernoulli, Newton, and Boyle will be explained in relation to Fire Department operations. Community water supply and fire flow demand as well as water distribution systems will be examined. Various types of fire pumps, both fixed and as found aboard fire pumping apparatus and their design features, will be discussed. In addition, effective fire streams, fire hose, nozzles, and appliances will be outlined. Upon completion of this course the student will be able to apply relevant theories to problem solve the principles that affect water at rest and in motion, for almost every conceivable fire ground application.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3.0 Hours
Prerequisites:

FSC-103 or Fire Fighter I certification and MAT-107 or higher level math course.

x
FSC-213
Fire Science Hydraulics
3

OR

Rescue Company Operations in the Fire Service
Course Code:
FSC-214
Course Description:
A study of the many operations of today's heavy rescue companies. Emphasis will be placed on the fire disciplines of rescue, rope rescue, confined space, trench rescue, motor vehicle extraction, and building collapse and shoring. The duties and responsibilities of the rescue companies on the fire ground will also be examined. There will be hands-on training activities as well.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites:

FSC-103

x
FSC-214
Rescue Company Operations in the Fire Service
3
First Aid, CPR and Safety Education
Course Code:
PED-225
Course Description:

The theory and practice of professional rescuer CPR and basic first aid skills. Topics covered include accident and disease prevention, body systems, respiratory and cardiac emergencies and sudden illnesses. The ability to recognize serious medical emergencies and the course of action are the basic components of this course. American Red Cross certification(s) will be presented to qualified students.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture: 3 Hours
x
PED-225
First Aid, CPR and Safety Education
3
Physical Education Elective
Course Code:
PED-EL1
Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
__ __
Physical Education Elective
1

Take a 1-credit PED course.

GE Humanities Elective
Course Code:
HUM-EL2
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
__ __
GE Humanities Elective
3

Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Humanities (GE HUM).

OR

GE Social Science Elective
Course Code:
GE SS
Credit:
3
x
__ __
GE Social Science Elective
3

Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Social Science (GE SS).

Physical Education Elective
Course Code:
PED-EL1
Credit:
1
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
__ __
Physical Education Elective
1

Take a 1-credit PED course.

Total Credits 60

Contact Information

Natural Sciences

Contact Name: Michael Ansonoff, acting department chairperson
Contact Phone: 732.548.6000 extension 2592 or 2587
Contact Email: naturalsciences@middlesexcc.edu 
Department Web: https://www.middlesexcc.edu/natural-sciences/


Frequently Asked Questions

Can students who major in Fire Science Technology transfer to a four-year college or university?

Articulation agreements with public and private institutions offer students who earn the A.A.S. degree the opportunity to transfer all of their coursework to the four-year institution. Students in specialized programs, or who earn an A.A.S. degree should discuss the transfer process with an advisor.

What will students learn in Fire Science Technology?

Students develop skills and knowledge in protection systems, hydraulics, hazardous materials, building construction and codes, departmental organization, investigation, fire ground strategy and tactics, and fire prevention and inspection.

Are there any requirements that must be satisfied before taking courses in the major?

Algebra I is a prerequisite for all majors. Algebra I competency may be verified with a passing score on the College’s placement test or completion of the appropriate course. Students must also have a grade of “C” or better in one year of high school laboratory chemistry.

How long will it take to complete this degree?

Fire Science courses are offered exclusively in the evening. Once students complete developmental coursework (if needed), the degree can be completed in two years of full-time study. They can shorten the amount of time by taking courses in the summer and winter sessions.

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