Fire Science, B.S.
Completion of this major prepares one for a career in the Fire Service and related industries. It also prepares one to be firefighters and fire officers. In the Fire Protection industry, completion of this major prepares one for code enforcement, fire investigation, and fire protection systems. Our majors are also prepared for fire-related private industry.
The 2.0 minimum overall GPA and a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA in the major are requirements for continuation in the major as well as for graduation.
Students concentrating in Fire Science will be required to complete 39 semester hours in Fire Science Courses in residence at NJCU.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Requirement Courses 1 | ||
| FS 140 | Introduction to Fire Science | 3 |
| FS 150 | Introduction to Engine Company Operations | 3 |
| FS 151 | Introduction to Ladder Company Operations | 3 |
| FS 336 | Firefighting Tactics | 3 |
| FS 342 | Building Construction | 3 |
| FS 435 | Problems in Fire Engineering | 3 |
| FS 365 | Fire Officer Company Management | 3 |
| FS 436 | Firefighting Strategies | 3 |
| FS 464 | Fire Department Organization & Administration | 3 |
| Electives Courses: Select a Minimum of 12 Credits 2 | ||
| FS 137 | Emergency Personnel Fitness | 3 |
| FS 241 | Fire Prevention & Related Codes | 3 |
| FS 243 | Fire Detection & Suppression Systems | 3 |
| FS 334 | Fire Investigation & Arson | 3 |
| FS 344 | Hazardous Materials | 3 |
| FS 431 | Transportation & Industrial Fire Hazards | 3 |
Work/Study Cooperative Education (2-6 credits) | ||
Portfolio/Certification Review (1-6 credits) | ||
| Total Credits | 39 | |
- 1
Students must earn a grade of C or better
- 2
Select 12 credits of approved electives in Fire Science, National Security Studies, Business, Languages, and other disciplines. Must earn a C or better in each course. (This is not a complete list of electives, please see the Fire Science Department for additional information)
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
| FS 140 | Introduction to Fire Science | 3 |
| FS 137 | Emergency Personnel Fitness | 3 |
| ENGL 101 or ESL 101 | English Composition I or English Composition I for English as a Second Language Students | 4 |
| MATH 114 or MATH 140 | Contemporary Mathematics or Statistics I | 3 |
| General Education Tier I Course | 3 | |
| INTD 101 | Orientation to College *first time freshmen only | 1 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| FS 151 | Introduction to Ladder Company Operations (Spring Only) | 3 |
| ENGL 102 or ESL 102 | English Composition II or English Composition 2 ESL | 4 |
| General Education Tier I Course | 3 | |
| General Education Tier I Course | 3 | |
| General Education Tier II Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| FS 150 | Introduction to Engine Company Operations | 3 |
| FS 200- or 300-level Course | 3 | |
| General Education Tier II Course | 3 | |
| General Education Tier II Course | 3 | |
| General Education Tier II Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| FS 200- or 300-level Course 1 | 3 | |
| FS 200- or 300-level Course 1 | 3 | |
| General Education Tier III Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| FS 200- or 300-level Course 1 | 3 | |
| FS 200- or 300-level Course 1 | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| FS 200- or 300-level Course 1 | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| FS 300- or 400-level Course | 3 | |
| FS 300- or 400-level Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| FS 365 | Fire Officer Company Management ((Spring Only)) | 3 |
| FS 435 | Problems in Fire Engineering ((Spring Only)) | 3 |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Selection of either 200- or 300-level courses is dependent upon the particular course offerings for a given semester.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Fire Science BS program, students will be able to:
- Students will be able to communicate clearly and concisely (orally and/or in writing) regarding current critical emergency service issues.
- Evaluate the role of risk management in the proper formulation of effective tactics and strategies to safely and successfully mitigate fire and emergency events.
- Appraise and analyze building construction in terms of structural limitations and collapse / fire spread potential.
- Utilize available technology and/or software to research and analyze date to create solutions to enhance decision-making on the emergency ground.
- Apply ethical reasoning and analysis to the decision-making process in regard to personnel and resource management.