Harper College will be closed Tuesday, November 5 in observance of Election Day.
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Get a comprehensive overview of fire science technology with this 60-credit-hour associate's degree program. You’ll prepare for the fire department application process and for positions in industrial safety, fire prevention, insurance investigation, fire investigation, hazardous material spills and public education. The program is applicable to both current firefighters and fire officers, as well as those individuals interested in entering the fire service field.
Take classes in fundamentals of fire and emergency services, fire behavior and combustion, fire prevention principles, firefighting strategies and tactics, hazardous materials, emergency services safety, building construction for fire protection and more.
This 60 credit-hour program in fire science technology is designed to allow students to master fundamental principles in fire and emergency services, fire prevention principles, fire behavior, firefighting strategy and tactics, fire investigation, hazardous materials, as well as the basics of urban, rural, and wild-land firefighting. Many of the courses offered have course approval with the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal. The program also provides current firefighters with the education needed to broaden their career paths. This degree program is recognized through Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE), a network of the U.S. Fire Administration's National Fire Academy. Many fire departments now require an AAS degree in Fire Science Technology before the student is eligible for entry-level positions while other fire departments offer promotional and salary incentives to graduate.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 | AAS General Education |
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Description: Emphasizes the writing of expository prose. Introduction to the critical reading of nonfiction prose. IAI C1 900 Prerequisite: ENG 096 with a grade of P or other placement options: english-placement-grid.php ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 086 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 099 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with required reading placement test score. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| FIS 100 | Fundamentals of Fire and Emergency Services | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Provides an overview of fire protection; career opportunities in fire protection and related fields; philosophy and history of fire protection/service; fire loss analysis; organization and function of public and private fire protection services; fire departments as part of local government; laws and regulations affecting the fire service; fire service nomenclature; specific fire protection functions; basic fire chemistry and physics; fire protection systems; introduction to fire strategy and tactics. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| FIS 121 | Fire Behavior and Combustion | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Explores the theories and principles of how and why fires start, spread, and are brought under control. Students will be able to relate the principles by which fires spread with the appropriate methods of control. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| FIS 122 | Fire Prevention Principles | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Provides fundamental information regarding the history and philosophy of fire prevention, organization and operation of a fire prevention bureau, use of fire codes, identification and correction of fire hazards, and the relationships of fire prevention with the built-in fire protection systems, fire investigation, and fire and life-safety education. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| MGT 150 | Business Math 1 | 3 | AAS General Education |
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Description: Introduces arithmetic as a tool of business. Topics include fractions, decimals and percentages, computations of interest, bank discounts, depreciation, commissions, compound interest, payrolls and taxes and graph and chart design. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO 260 | Human Anatomy or | ||
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Description: Introduces the anatomy of the human body; the following systems studied either regionally or systemically: integumentary, skeletal, articular, muscular, circulatory, lymphatic, nervous, respiratory, digestive, excretory, endocrine and reproductive. Includes some introductory histology. Specially designed for students in health careers, biology, and physical education. Strongly recommended preparation: One year of high school biology with a grade of C or better taken within the last five years, or BIO 110. (NOTE: Lab science credit.) Formerly BIO 160. IAI BIO 920C Prerequisite: Placement into ENG 101. english-placement-grid.php Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| NTR 101 | Fundamentals of Nutrition | 3-4 | AAS General Education |
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Description: Introduces the science of nutrition and its relationship to health and disease. Nutrients found in foods, their digestion, absorption and metabolism by the body; cultural, socioeconomic and psychological influences on food selection; and application of these concepts to promote good nutritional health and prevent disease will be covered. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| FIS 103 | Firefighting Strategies and Tactics | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Introduces basic principles and methods associated with fireground strategies and tactics as required of the company officer. Emphasizes the incident management system, fire behavior, basic firefighting size-up, pre-fire planning, engine company and truck company operations. Prerequisite: FIS 100 and FIS 121 with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| FIS 104 | Building Construction for Fire Protection | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Studies the components of building construction that relate to fire and life safety. Focuses on firefighter safety and the elements of construction and structure design as key factors when inspecting buildings, preplanning fire operations and operating at emergencies. Prerequisite: FIS 100 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| FIS 132 | Hazardous Materials | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Reviews basic chemistry, storage, handling, laws, standards and fire fighting practices pertaining to hazardous materials. Emphasis on identification, labeling, handling, firefighting, and mitigation of hazardous materials emergencies. Students who wish to satisfy the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshall Certificate Requirements must successfully complete this course as well as the required practical skills evaluation prior to taking the state examination by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (A.H.J.). Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| FIS 260 | Emergency Services Safety | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Provides a foundation of knowledge and understanding of safety as applied to emergency services. Examines the need for safety in the everyday performance of all aspects of their jobs and gain an understanding of the essential elements needed to reduce accidents and injuries. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIS electives2 | 9 | Program Requirement | |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology + | 3 | AAS General Education |
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Description: Investigates human and animal behavior with emphasis on the scientific nature of contemporary and classic psychological investigation. Emphasizes psychological theories, principles, and research applications. Introduces the divisions of the American Psychological Association. References biological processes, sensation, perception, learning, memory, thinking, emotional life, mental disorders, intelligence, aptitude, personality, development, daily life and everyday problems. IAI S6 900 Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 | AAS General Education |
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Description: Theory and practice of oral communications. Development of poise, confidence and skill in speech organization and delivery. Emphasis on frequent speaking, development of standards of criticism and selection and organization of material. IAI C2 900 Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIS 145 | Fire and Emergency Services Instructor | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Provides instruction to individuals in the fire and emergency services. Provides basic fundamentals in human relations in the teacher-student learning environment, methods of instruction and proper methods of writing lesson plans. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| FIS 212 | Fire Protection Systems | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Provides information relating to the features of design and operation of fire detection and alarm systems, heat and smoke control systems, special protection and sprinkler systems, water supply for fire protection and portable fire extinguishers. Prerequisite: FIS 100 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| FIS electives2 | 9 | Program Requirement | |
1 - MGT 150 or MTH 101 or higher.
+ - This course meets the World Culture and Diversity graduation requirement.
2 - Choose at least 18 credit hours from the following courses: FIS 102, FIS 106, FIS 109, FIS 200, FIS 210, FIS 230, FIS 240, FIS 270, EMG 131, EMG 231, EMS 111, EMS 112, EMS 113. Please note: EMS 111, EMS 112, and EMS 113 are recommended which will provide students with an Emergency Medical Technician Certificate.
For more information about Fire Science Technology, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.