2024-2025 Catalog

Fire Science (A.S.)

Associate in Science

Program Advisor: Charles Garrity

413-236-4769cgarrity@berkshirecc.edu

The Fire Science program focuses on fire prevention and fire protection principles and techniques. Students also take general education courses, including human behavior and written and oral communication. All FIS-designated coursework is aligned with FESHE Standards; the program covers material on the most recent developments in the field and provides excellent preparation for those who work in occupations such as fire protection or insurance underwriting.

Expected Outcomes

Graduates of this program should be able to:

  • Explain the history and basic principles of the fire service including the supervision and management necessary for leadership and administration in the fire service;
  • Provide an in-depth analysis of the principles of fire control through the utilization of personnel, equipment and extinguishing agents on the fire ground;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of fire development, prevention, investigation and cause;
  • Apply theoretical knowledge of hydraulic principles to solving water supply problems for fire protection;
  • Demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills with supervisors, peers and the public;
  • Use knowledge of building construction principles, fire protection systems and fire prevention codes to affect safer occupancies; and
  • Identify hazardous materials, hazardous properties and successful emergency scene operations.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a degree in this program, a student must complete all program and general education credits, plus the following Additional Requirements.

Program Courses

CIS-102Fundamental Computer Literacy

4

FIS-101Principles of Emergency Services

3

FIS-106Fire Behavior & Combustion

3

FIS-123Building Construction for Fire Protection

3

FIS-128Protection Systems

3

FIS-145Fire Prevention

4

FIS-221Principles of Fire & Emergency Services Safety & Survival

3

FIS -
Professional Electives

12

PHY-111The Ideas of Physics

3

SOC-105Introductory Sociology

3

Total Credit Hours:41

FIS : See footnote 1
PHY-111 : See footnote 2

General Education Courses

CHM-150Essentials of Chemistry

3

COM-
Communication

3

ENG-
English Composition/Writing

6

MAT-
Mathematics

3

PSY-107Introductory Psychology

3

-
Humanities

3

Total Credit Hours:21

CHM-150 : See footnote 2
MAT : See footnote 3

Additional Requirements

Core Competencies Portfolio 4 items
FORUM 4 units
Health/Fitness 30 hours

Minimum Cumulative Average

Overall 2.000
All required FIS courses 2.000

Suggested Pathway to Graduation

The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student’s individual needs.

Courses

CHM-150Essentials of Chemistry

3

FIS-101Principles of Emergency Services

3

FIS-106Fire Behavior & Combustion

3

FIS-123Building Construction for Fire Protection

3

FIS-127Fire Protection Hydraulics & Water Supply

3

FIS-128Protection Systems

3

FIS-129
Emergency Incident Management

FIS-145Fire Prevention

4

FIS-201Hazardous Materials Chemistry

3

FIS-205Legal Aspects of Emergency Services

3

FIS-206Fire Investigation I

3

FIS-210Principles of Fire & Emergency Service Administration

3

FIS-221Principles of Fire & Emergency Services Safety & Survival

3

PHY-111The Ideas of Physics

3

SOC-105Introductory Sociology

3

CIS-102Fundamental Computer Literacy

4

PSY-107Introductory Psychology

3

COM-
Communication

3

ENG -
English Composition

3

-
Mathematics

3

-
Humanities

3

FAS -
Art History

3

Footnotes

  1. CHM-101 may be substituted for CHM-150; PHY-101 may be substituted for PHY-111.
  2. Any course with the MA-coded Math course.
  3. Not all gen ed MAT courses will also meet MAT requirement for CHM 150.

Total Credit Hours: 62