Fire Science Associate Degree
Offered at the Following Campus Locations
Program Overview
The Fire Science Associate of Applied Science degree program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare fire service personnel at all levels to become better officers and leaders. The program provides learning opportunities which introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and occupational knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. Additionally, The program provides opportunities to retrain and upgrade present knowledge and skills. Completion of the program of study leads to an AAS degree in Fire Science.
Entrance Requirements
This program requires either the ACCUPLACER® or COMPASS college placement test and High School Diploma or GED. Minimum Required Age of 16.
ACCUPLACER® minimum scores: Reading Comprehension 64, Sentence Skills 70, Elementary Algebra 57
COMPASS minimum scores: Reading 79, Writing 62, Algebra 37
Course Overview
Basic Skills Courses:General Education Core (Required Minimum: 15 Semester Hours)Area I – Language Arts/Communication(ENGL 1101 is required)ENGL1101Composition and Rhetoric3Explores the analysis of literature and articles about issues in the humanities and in society. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to library resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include writing analysis and practice, revision, and research. Students write a research paper using library resources and using a formatting and documentation style appropriate to the purpose and audience.1242Area I ElectivesENGL1102Literature and Composition3Emphasizes the student*s ability to read literature analytically and meaningfully and to communicate clearly. Students analyze the form and content of literature in historical and philosophical contexts. Topics include reading and analysis of fiction, poetry, and drama; research; and writing about literature.1243SPCH1101Public Speaking3Introduces the student to the fundamentals of oral communication. Topics include selection and organization of materials, preparation and delivery of individual and group presentations, analysis of ideas presented by others, and professionalism.1245Area II – Social/Behavioral Sciences - Select 1ECON1101Principles of Economics3Provides a description and analysis of economic operations in contemporary society. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of economic concepts and policies as they apply to everyday life. Topics include basic economic principles; economic forces and indicators; capital and labor; price, competition, and monopoly; money and banking; government expenditures, federal and local; fluctuations in production, employment, and income; and United States economy in perspective1310ECON2105Macroeconomics3Provides a description and analysis of macroeconomic principles and policies. Topics include basic economic principles, macroeconomic concepts, equilibrium in the goods and money markets, macroeconomic equilibrium and the impact of fiscal and monetary policies.1311ECON2106Microeconomics3Provides an analysis of the ways in which consumers and business firms interact in a market economy. Topics include basic economic principles, consumer choice, behavior of profit maximizing firms, modeling of perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly and monopolistic competition.1312HIST1111World History I3Emphasizes the study of intellectual, cultural, scientific, political, and social contributions of the civilizations of the world and the evolution of these civilizations during the period from the prehistoric era to early modern times. Topics include the Prehistoric Era the Ancient Near East, Ancient India, Ancient China, Ancient Rome, Ancient Africa, Islam, the Americas, Japan, Ancient Greece, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance.1314HIST1112World History II3Emphasizes the study of the intellectual, cultural, scientific, political, and social contributions of the civilizations of the world and the evolution of these civilizations during the period from early modern times to the present. Topics include transitions to the Modern World, scientific revolution and the Enlightenment, political modernization, economic modernization, imperialism, and the Twentieth Century.1315HIST2111U.S. History I3Emphasizes the study of U. S. History to 1877 to include the post-Civil War period. The course focuses on the period from the Age of Discovery through the Civil War to include geographical, intellectual, political, economic and cultural development of the American people. It includes the history of Georgia and its constitutional development. Topics include colonization and expansion; the Revolutionary Era; the New Nation; nationalism, sectionalism, and reform; the Era of Expansion; and crisis, Civil War, and reconstruction.1316HIST2112U.S. History II3Emphasizes the study of the social, cultural, and political history of the United States from 1865 to the beginning of the twenty-first century and will equip the student to better understand the problems and challenges of the contemporary world in relation to events and trends in modern American history. The course also provides an overview of the history of Georgia and the development of its constitution. Topics include the Reconstruction Period; the great West, the new South, and the rise of the debtor; the Gilded Age; the progressive movement; the emergence of the U. S. in world affairs; the Roaring Twenties; the Great Depression; World War II; the Cold War and the 1950*s; the 1960*s and 1970*s; and America since 1980.1317POLS1101American Government3Emphasizes study of government and politics in the United States. The focus of the course will provide an overview of the Constitutional foundations of the American political processes with a focus on government institutions and political procedures. The course will examine the constitutional framework, federalism, civil liberties and civil rights, public opinion, the media, special interest groups, political parties, and the election process along with the three branches of government. In addition, this course will examine the processes of Georgia state government. Topics include foundations of government, political behavior, and governing institutions.1318PSYC1101Introductory Psychology3Introduces the major fields of contemporary psychology. Emphasis is on fundamental principles of psychology as a science. Topics include research design, the organization and operation of the nervous system, sensation and perception, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, thinking and intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychopathology and interventions, stress and health, and social psychology.1320SOCI1101Introduction to Sociology3Explores the sociological analysis of society, its culture, and structure. Sociology is presented as a science with emphasis placed on its methodology and theoretical foundations. Topics include basic sociological concepts, socialization, social interaction and culture, social groups and institutions, deviance and social control, social stratification, social change, and marriage and family.1324Area III – Natural Sciences/Mathematics – Select 1MATH1103Quantitative Skills/Reasoning (201614)3Emphasizes algebra, statistics, and mathematics of finance. Topics include fundamental operations of algebra, sets and logic, probability and statistics, geometry, mathematics of voting and districting, and mathematics of finance.1295MATH1101Mathematical Modeling3Emphasizes functions using real-world applications as models. Topics include fundamental concepts of algebra; functions and graphs; linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions and models; systems of equations; and optional topics in algebra.1296MATH1111College Algebra3Emphasizes techniques of problem solving using algebraic concepts. Topics include fundamental concepts of algebra, equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, and systems of equations; optional topics include sequences, series, and probability or analytic geometry.1297Area IV – Humanities/Fine Arts - Select 1ARTS1101Art Appreciation3Explores the visual arts and the relationship to human needs and aspirations. Students investigate the value of art, themes in art, the elements and principles of composition, and the materials and processes used for artistic expression. Well-known works of visual art are explored. The course encourages student interest in the visual arts beyond the classroom.1236ENGL2110World Literature3This course explores the history of the human experience through literature and writing across the cultures of the world. Surveys of important works across multiple genres of fiction and non-fiction as a reflection of cultural values. Explores themes from the ancient through modern era.6630ENGL2130American Literature3Emphasizes American literature as a reflection of culture and ideas. A survey of important works in American literature. Includes a variety of literary genres: short stories, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and novels. Topics include literature and culture, essential themes and ideas, literature and history, and research skills.1237ENGL2310English Literature from the Beginnings to 17003This course presents a survey of important works in early English literature. Course content includes a variety of literary genres: poetry, drama, fiction and nonfiction. Writers typically include the Beowulf poet, Gawain poet, Chaucer, Spenser, Sidney, Marlowe, Donne, Jonson, Shakespeare, and Milton. The course emphasizes English literature as a reflection of culture and ideas. Competency areas include literature and culture; essential themes and ideas; literature and history; research and writing skills; and oral communication skills.6632HUMN1101Introduction to Humanities3Explores the philosophic and artistic heritage of humanity expressed through a historical perspective on visual arts, music, and literature. The humanities provide insight into people and society. Topics include historical and cultural developments, contributions of the humanities, and research.1238MUSC1101Music Appreciation3Explores the analysis of well-known works of music, their compositions, and the relationship to their periods. An introduction to locating, acquiring, and documenting information resources lays the foundation for research to include the creative and critical process, the themes of music, the formal elements of composition, and the placing of music in the historical context. Topics include historical and cultural development represented in musical arts.1239THEA1101Theater Appreciation3Explores history, aesthetics, and craft of the theatrical experience on stage, emphasizing the role of the audience as well as that of the artist. Critical views of theatrical performances are examined alongside scripts. Emphasis is placed on the students' understanding of foundational elements, principles, and theories of dramatic art, including classical and contemporary varieties. The performance component of this course enables students to appreciate the process by which theatre is realized and the creative and cultural significance of theatre as a basic human endeavor.6634Additional General Education Core RequirementXXXX0000General Core Elective (from Areas I, II, III, or IV)34621Occupational Courses:COLL1010College and Career Success Skills3This course is designed to assist the learner to acquire skills necessary to achieve academic, personal, and professional success and to improve student retention. Topics include: Getting off to a Good Start, Learning and Personality Skills, Time and Personal Financial Management, Stress Management and Wellness, Study and Test Taking Skills, Communication Skills, Career Planning and Goal Setting, Computer Application/Technology Skills, and Employability/Professional Skills.13802FRSC1100Introduction to the Fire Service3This course is a survey of the philosophy and history of Fire Protection, loss of property and life by fire, review of municipal fire defenses and the organization and function of the federal, state, county, city and private fire protection. Includes introduction to: fire technology education and the firefighter selection process; fire protection career opportunities; public fire protection; chemistry and physics of fire; public and private support organizations; fire department resources, fire department administration; support functions; training, fire prevention; codes and ordinances; fire protection systems and equipment; emergency incident management; and emergency operations.5372FRSC1110Fire Administration - Supervision and Leadership3This course provides the necessary knowledge and skills for an emergency responder to become a successful fire officer. The student will learn how to become a responsible leader and supervisor to a crew of firefighters, how to manage a budget for the fire station, understand standard operating procedures,
and be able to manage an incident. Also, an understanding of basic fire prevention methods, fire and
building codes, and records systems will be covered throughout the course. Upon completion of this course the student emergency responder candidate/recruit will have the basic skills and knowledge to be able to qualify for a certificate of completion or seek certification through the appropriate governing agency for the following: 1. NFA Leadership I 2. NFA Leadership II 3. NFA Leadership III - This course meets the requirements NFPA 1021 Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications and all other state, local, and provincial occupational health and safety regulatory requirements.
5374FRSC1132Fire Service Instructor4Students will learn to analyze jobs and information, then prepare and present related training. Emphasis is placed on planning, organizing, presenting, and testing, using methodologies appropriate to the subject. Topics include: orientation to emergency services instruction, communication, planning and analysis, objectives, learning, assessment, methods of instruction, instructor materials, media, training related group dynamics, classroom management, the legal environment, and NPQ Fire Instructor I. Students will have numerous hands-on opportunities to apply what they learn. Successful completers of FRSC 1132 are qualified to test for the National Professional Qualification (NPQ) Fire Instructor I Exam.1944FRSC1141Hazardous Materials Operations4This course provides emergency responder personnel with the information to respond safely, limit possible exposure to all personnel, and to provide information to the proper authorities as being a primary goal while reacting in the defensive mode of operation. The first responder operations level responsibilities are recognition and identification of a hazardous material scene, the gathering of information, the notification of the proper authorities, the isolation of the area by setting perimeters/zones, possible evacuation, protection by initiating the incident management system, emergency decontamination, and performing defensive actions only. Even though the first responder is a member of an emergency response service, they are not trained in specialized protective clothing or specialized control equipment. Thus, the first responder is not a member of a hazardous materials response team. This course meets the requirements of NFPA 472 - Professional Competence of First Responders to Haz Mat Incidents at the Operations Level. This course also meets the requirements of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120, EPA, USDOT, and all other appropriate state, local and provincial occupational health and safety regulatory requirements.
Also required as prerequisite: NPQ FF I and NPQ Hazardous Materials Awareness Level1945FRSC1151Fire Prevention & Inspection4Emphasis is placed on the shared responsibility of all fire service personnel to prevent fires and fire losses by survey of fire prevention activities, conducting basic fire prevention inspections, practicing life safety codes, review of local and state laws regarding fire inspection, and review of applicable codes and standards. Topics include: code administration, inspection, use and occupancy, building limitations and types of construction, fire resistive construction elements, installation of fire protection systems, mean of egress, interior finish requirements, general fire safety provisions, maintenance of fire protection systems, means of egress maintenance for occupancies, hazardous materials, flammable liquids and aerosols, detonation and deflagration hazards, hazardous assembly occupancies, other storage and processing occupancies, compressed gases and cryogenic liquids, pesticides and other health hazards, and using referenced standards. Successful completion of FRSC 1151 qualifies individuals to test for the National Professional Qualification (NPQ) Inspector Level-I examination1946FRSC1161Fire Srvc Safety/Loss Control3This course will provide the necessary knowledge and skills for the emergency responder to understand occupational safety and health and be able to develop safety programs. The course starts with an introduction to occupational safety and health and covers the history, national agencies that produce injury and fatality reports, and efforts that have been made to address safety and health problems in emergency service occupations. The course will review safety related regulations and standards and discuss how to implement them through risk management processes. There will be lectures and discussions on pre-incident safety, safety at fire emergencies, safety at medical and rescue emergencies, safety at specialized incidents, and post-incident safety management. Personnel roles and responsibilities will be covered, so that knowledge can be gained on the relationship to the overall safety and health program by the different responding and administrative personnel at emergency scenes. Lectures and discussions on how to develop, manage, and evaluate safety programs will be covered to provide general knowledge and basic skills on occupational health and safety programs. Finally information management and various other special topics will be covered to gain knowledge on the legal, ethical, and financial considerations that programs need to be aware of and how to collect the data and report it.1947FRSC2100Fire Administration Mgmt3This course will provide the necessary knowledge and skills for the emergency responder to become a diverse leader and manager in their department. The course starts with the history of the fire service which focuses on the historical events that have forged the fire service today. Discussions on preparing for the future are designed to provide information to develop a game plan for personal success. Leadership and Management principles will be taught to blend the academics of leadership and management research into what occurs in the fire service organization on a daily basis. Leadership styles will be discussed to help understand how to lead and manage and, as important, why its done. The course will take an insightful look into how people handle change personally and organizationally. Discussions on ethics will be focused on the elements critical to ethical leadership and management practices. The course will explore the elements of team building and provide a depth of understanding how to blend various styles and personalities to get the most from people. Discussions on managing emergency services will target budgeting and personnel management the support elements that are so vital to every organization. Quality of the fire service will also be looked at for methods of quality improvement and their applications to improve the services delivered to citizens everyday. An in-depth overview of the changes in disaster planning and response since 9-11, and includes ways to help with community evaluation and preparedness processes. Finally, shaping the future will explore the possibilities of what may occur in the fire service and how you can play an important role in helping to shape the fire service of the future.1948FRSC2110Fire Service Hydraulics3This course begins with the history and theories of the use of water for fire extinguishment then moves to practical application of the principles of hydraulics in water systems and on the fire ground. Topics include: water at rest and in motion, velocity and discharge, water distribution systems, fire service pumps, friction loss, engine and nozzle pressures, fire streams, standpipe systems, automatic sprinkler systems, firefighting foams, and the clip board friction loss system.1949FRSC2120Fire Protection Systems3A review of fire detection and protection systems including: automatic sprinkler systems, portable fire extinguishers, restaurant/kitchen systems, special hazard systems, detection systems, and control systems. The applicable laws, codes and standards will be introduced along with regulatory and support agencies. Specific topics include: introduction to fire protection systems, water supply systems for fire protection systems, water-based suppression systems, nonwater-based suppression systems, fire alarm systems, smoke management systems, and portable fire extinguishers.1950FRSC2130Fire Service Bldg Construction3This course provides the components of building construction related to firefighter and life 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.1951FRSC2141Incident Command4The Incident Command course is designed to illustrate the responsibilities to use, deploy, implement, and/or function within an Incident Command System (ICS) as well as functioning within multi-jurisdictions incident under the Incident Management System (IMS). The course emphasizes the need for incident management systems, an overview of the structure and expandable nature of ICS, an understanding of the command skills needed by departmental officers to use ICS guidelines effectively, and scenario practice on how to apply ICS and IMS. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) will illustrate and provide the consistent nationwide template to enable all government, private-sectors, and non-governmental organizations to work together during virtual all domestic incidents. These course competencies will cover those objectives entailed in NIMS 100, 200, 700, and 800.1952FRSC2170Fire and Arson Investigation4Presents an introduction to Fire Investigation. Emphasis is placed upon: fire behavior, combustion properties of various materials, sources of ignition, and investigative techniques for - structures, grassland, wildland, automobiles, vehicles, ships and other types of fire investigation, causes of electrical fires, chemical fires, explosive evaluations, laboratory operation, Techniquest used in fire deaths and injuries, arson as a crime, other techniques, State and Federal laws, and future trends in fire investigative technology.1953Select one of the following two coursesFRSC1121Firefighting Strategy/Tactics3This course presents the principles of applying fire department resources to mitigate a fire or related emergency. General topics include: principles of firefighting, size up, engine company operations, hose line selection and placement, water supply, standpipe and sprinkler operations, ladder company operations, forcible entry, ventilation and search and rescue. Specific-fires reviewed will include private dwellings, multiple dwellings, commercial buildings, high-rise structures, buildings under construction, structural collapse, flammable liquid and gas fires and waterfront fires.1943FRSC1115Fire Behavior and Combustion324584Minimum Length of Program: 6 Term(s)Minimum Credit Hours for Graduation: 62