Fire Science
Introduction to Fire Science
FRSC100
This course is an overview of fire protection and emergency services including: career opportunities, culture, history, loss analysis, organization and function of public and private fire protection services, laws and regulations, nomenclature, basic fire chemistry and physics, introduction to fire protection systems, introduction to strategy and tactics, life safety initiatives.
3 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
Building Construction for Fire Protection
FRSC103
This course examines the components of building construction that relate to fire and life safety. The focus of this course is on firefighter safety. The elements of construction and design of structures are shown to be key factors when inspecting buildings, preplanning fire operations, and operating at emergencies.
3 credits
Prerequisite: FRSC100 (C or better) or permission of the Department of Business, Innovation, and Legal Studies
Corequisite: None
Fire Prevention and Code Enforcement
FRSC104
This course provides fundamental knowledge of fire prevention and code enforcement. Topics include: history and philosophy of fire prevention, organization and operation of a fire prevention bureau, conducting fire/life safety inspections, use and application of codes and standards, plans review, fire and life safety education, and fire investigation.
3 credits
Prerequisite: FRSC100 (C or better) or permission of the Department of Business, Innovation, and Legal Studies; and FRSC112 (C or better)
Corequisite: FRSC103
Fire Protection Systems
FRSC105
This course provides information relating to the features of design and operation of fire alarm systems, water-based fire suppression systems, special hazard fire suppression systems, water supply for fire protection and portable fire extinguishers. The fundamentals of the inspection, maintenance, and operations of these systems are covered in this course.
3 credits
Prerequisite: FRSC100 (C or better) or permission from the Department of Business, Innovation, and Legal Studies; and FRSC112 (C or better)
Corequisite: FRSC103
Fire Behavior and Combustion
FRSC112
This course is a study of the physical properties and chemical characteristics applicable to fire; it also discusses combustion, the principles of fire, heat measurement, heat transfer, and heat energy sources. Emphasis is on emergency situations and the most favorable methods of handling firefighting and control.
3 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Safety & Survival
FRSC114
This course introduces the basic principles and history related to the national firefighter life safety initiatives, focusing on the need for cultural and behavioral change throughout emergency services.
3 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None
Firefighting Strategy and Tactics
FRSC201
This course examines the principle of fire ground control through utilization of personnel, equipment, and extinguish agents related to various emergency scenarios. The focus is on communication, pre-fire planning, and the roles and responsibilities and resource allocation in Incident Command/National Incident Management System (ICS/NIMS).
3 credits
Prerequisite: FRSC100 (C or better) and FRSC103 (C or better) and FRSC112 (C or better)
Corequisite: None
Hazardous Materials
FRSC202
This course introduces the student to the chemical and physical characteristics, hazards, and combustibility of the most commonly encountered hazardous materials. Students learn how hazardous materials can influence fire development and spread, as well as how to manage hazardous materials at the incident scene.
3 credits
Prerequisite: FRSC100 (C or better) or PUBS101 (C or better) or permission of the Department of Business, Innovation, and Legal Studies
Corequisite: None
Legal Aspects of Emergency Services
FRSC204
This course introduces the Federal, State, and local laws that regulate emergency services and includes a review of national standards, regulations, and consensus standards influencing emergency services.
3 credits
Prerequisite: FRSC100 (C or better) or permission of the Department of Business, Innovation, and Legal Studies
Corequisite: None
Fire Investigation I
FRSC206
This course provides the student with the fundamentals and technical knowledge needed for proper fire scene interpretations, including recognizing and conducting origin and cause, preservation of evidence and documentation, scene security, case law and constitutional amendments, motives of the fire setter, and types of fire causes.
3 credits
Prerequisite: FRSC100 (C or better) or permission of the Department of Business, Innovation, and Legal Studies and FRSC103 (C or better) and FRSC112 (C or better) and Writing Placement Score of 6 or COMP107 (C or better)
Corequisite: FRSC202
Principles of Fire and Emergency Services Administration
FRSC208
This course introduces the student to the organization and management of a fire and emergency services department and the relationship of government agencies to the fire service. Emphasis is placed on fire and emergency services, ethics, and leadership from the perspective of the company officer.
3 credits
Prerequisite: FRSC100 (C or better) and Writing Placement Score of 6 or COMP107 (C or better)
Corequisite: None
Occupational Safety and Health for Emergency Services
FRSC209
This course introduces the concepts of occupational health and safety as it relates to emergency service organizations. Topics include risk and hazardous evaluation and control procedures for emergency service organizations.
3 credits
Prerequisite: FRSC100 (C or better) and Writing Placement Score of 6 or COMP107 (C or better)
Corequisite: None
Fire and Life Safety Education
FRSC210
The course prepares students to develop and deliver fire and life safety education programs. Students develop presentation skills, prepare and deliver an oral presentation, learn how to formulate public education programs, review the effectiveness of existing programs and identify future trends.
3 credits
Prerequisite: FRSC100 (C or better) and Writing Placement Score of 6 or COMP107 (C or better)
Corequisite: None
Fire Plans Review
FRSC214
Through the use of construction documents and a fundamental knowledge of fire codes and standards, students develop an understanding of a building's fire protection features including the design of fire alarm systems, water-based fire suppression systems, special hazard fire suppression systems, water supply for fire protection and egress arrangements.
3 credits
Prerequisite: FRSC103 (C or better) and FRSC104 (C or better) and FRSC105 (C or better)
Corequisite: None
Fire Investigation II
FRSC216
This course is a continuation of Fire Investigation I, providing students with advanced principles and technical knowledge on the rule of law, fire scene analysis, fire behavior, evidence collection and preservation, scene documentation, case preparation, and courtroom testimony.
3 credits
Prerequisite: FRSC202 (C or better) and FRSC206 (C or better)
Corequisite: None
Pre-Emergency Planning
FRSC227
Students examine the intricacies of preparing pre-emergency plans and diagrams for fire investigation reports using computer technology. Students demonstrate their understanding of the importance of pre-emergency planning for the Fire Service and prepare pre-emergency plans and diagrams.
3 credits
Prerequisite: FRSC103 (C or better) and FRSC104 (C or better) and FRSC105 (C or better) and FRSC202 (C or better)
Corequisite: None
Fire and Emergency Services Internship
FRSC280
Student to field work directly related to their academic preparation and career objectives. The major areas of focus include partaking in actual field work, observing real-life situations of the working professional and their clients, and comparing academic theory to field work observations.
3 credits
Prerequisite: Successful completion of at least fifteen (15) credit hours in Fire Science (FRSC) or permission of the Department of Business, Innovation, and Legal Studies and A GPA of 2.5 earned at Bucks County Community College
Corequisite: None