Program Overview

  • Duration

    1 Year (Self-Paced) Program

  • Total Courses

    14-18

  • Total Credit Hours

    84-140

The Fire Sciences program at Durham University of North Carolina is designed for students aspiring to serve as firefighters and emergency response professionals. Students study fire prevention, suppression, and emergency management. They gain practical experience in firefighting techniques, hazardous materials response, and incident command. Graduates are well-prepared to join fire departments, rescue teams, and related public safety agencies, dedicating themselves to protecting communities in the face of fires and emergencies.

Gain an understanding of loss control, focusing on strategies and practices for preventing and mitigating losses in various industries. Analyze loss control measures, risk assessments, and the principles of loss prevention in occupational safety.


Get an introduction to safety and risk analysis, covering the assessment and management of safety risks in various settings. Analyze risk analysis techniques, safety planning, and their application in ensuring workplace safety.


Get an introduction to occupational safety and health, covering the principles of workplace safety, occupational health regulations, and safety practices. Analyze workplace hazards, safety regulations, and the role of safety professionals.


Gain an introduction to fire sciences, covering the principles of fire prevention, fire dynamics, and fire safety measures. Analyze the chemistry of combustion, fire behavior, and fire safety practices.


Explore rescue techniques, emphasizing the fundamentals of rescue operations in various contexts. Analyze rescue equipment, safety procedures, and the skills needed for effective rescue missions.


Study basic human physiology, emphasizing the functioning of the human body's organ systems and physiological processes. Analyze the principles of human physiology, homeostasis, and the coordination of body functions.


Study the legal perspective of safety and health, covering occupational safety regulations, liability, and legal considerations in safety management. Analyze safety compliance, legal responsibilities, and the role of legal aspects in occupational safety.


Get an introduction to hazardous materials, covering the identification, handling, and safe management of hazardous substances. Analyze hazardous materials regulations, safety procedures, and the protection of workers and the environment from hazardous materials risks.

Fire Suppression Practices delves into methods for extinguishing fires and managing fire emergencies. Students will learn firefighting techniques, equipment use, and safety measures, ensuring they can effectively respond to and control fires.


Introduction to Fire Brigade introduces students to the roles, responsibilities, and organization of fire departments and brigades. This foundational knowledge prepares individuals for careers in fire service and equips them with essential firefighting and rescue skills.


Introduction to Fire Hydraulics covers the principles of water flow, pumps, and hydraulic calculations in fire service. Students will learn the fundamentals of fire hose operation and water supply management, critical for successful firefighting operations.


Introduction to Fire Science provides a comprehensive overview of fire science principles. Students will delve into fire behavior, prevention, safety procedures, and the organization of fire services. This foundational knowledge is essential for a career in fire science and emergency response.


Introduction to Fire Investigation explores the principles and methods of fire investigation. Students will learn how to determine the origin and cause of fires, aiding in fire prevention and forensic analysis. This course is essential for fire investigators and safety professionals.


Introduction to Fire Prevention covers fire prevention strategies, codes, and regulations. Students will learn to assess and mitigate fire hazards, develop fire safety plans, and contribute to proactive fire prevention efforts in various environments.

TUITION

Fees Breakdown Cost
ASSOCIATE TO BACHELOR'S DEGREE (ABOS) $18,480
Medical Insurance $0.00
Personal Expenses $0.00
Study Materials $0.00
Food Cost $0.00
Total Tuition Fee $18,480
WHERE AFFORDABILITY

Meets Opportunity

At the Durham University of North Carolina, we champion the synergy of affordability and opportunity. Our unwavering dedication to accessible education ensures that exceptional learning doesn't come with an exorbitant price. We unlock the gates to knowledge, extending students the opportunity to flourish without the heavy weight of overwhelming tuition costs, empowering them for a brighter, more promising future.

Our Eligibility Criteria

Explore HBU’s Eligibility Criteria for Students Worldwide

Eligibility Criteria

High School Diploma, GED or equiv. International Education

Credit Hours

84-140

Course Duration

1 Year (Self-Paced) Program

Courses Offered

14-18

Mastering Fire Science Fundamentals and Technical Proficiency

In the College of Fire Sciences, our curriculum is meticulously designed to establish a robust foundation in the fundamentals of fire science and foster technical proficiency. Students embark on their educational journey by building a deep understanding of core fire science disciplines and honing practical skills in innovative problem-solving and fire safety strategies. This comprehensive technical base equips our students for a successful and dynamic career in the field of fire sciences.

Application of Fire Science Principles through Industry Collaborations

Beyond the classroom, our College of Occupational Safety & Fire Sciences places a significant emphasis on practical applications and industry partnerships. Students have opportunities to engage in safety inspections, collaborate with safety organizations, and participate in disaster drills. These experiences not only enhance their practical safety skills but also provide valuable insights into the industry.

Tackling Worldwide Fire Science Challenges

In the Durham University of North Carolina's College of Fire Sciences, our firm commitment is directed towards confronting global complexities in fire sciences and fostering international collaborations. Our curriculum deeply delves into global fire science methodologies, motivating students to participate in projects with a broad-reaching impact. Additionally, we offer opportunities for international study and active partnerships with fire science professionals worldwide, equipping our students with a comprehensive global perspective within the field of fire sciences.

Fundamentals Of Loss Control (OSAFS-070)

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS COURSE
  In Section 1 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Loads And Other Forces
     Plans And Codes
  In Section 2 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Building Materials: Stone, Masonry, Steel, Concrete, And Wood
     Building Components
  In Section 3 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Building Systems
     Building Construction Types
  In Section 4 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Trusses
     Size-Up
  In Section 5 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Collapse
     Command Of Collapse Incidents

Introduction To Safety & Risk Analysis (OSAFS-451)

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS COURSE
  In Section 1 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Firefighter Orientation
     Firefighter Safety And Health
     Fire Behavior
     Building Construction
     Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment
  In Section 2 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Portable Fire Extinguishers
     Ropes And Knots
     Rescue And Extrication
     Forcible Entry
     Ground Ladders
  In Section 3 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Ventilation
     Water Supply
     Fire Hose
     Fire Streams
     Fire Control
  In Section 4 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Fire Detection, Alarm, And Suppression Systems
     Loss Control
     Protecting Fire Scene Evidence
     Fire Department Communications
  In Section 5 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Fire Prevention And Public Education
     Emergency Medical Care
     Introduction To Hazardous Materials
     Operations At Hazmat Incidents

Introduction To Occupational Safety And Health (OSAFS-556)

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS COURSE
  In Section 1 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Safety Movement, Then And Now
     Accidents And Their Effects
     Theories Of Accident Causation
     Roles And Professional Certifications For Safety And Health Professionals
     Safety, Health, And Competition In The Global Marketplace
     The Osh Act, Standards, And Liability
     Workers' Compensation
  In Section 2 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Accident Investigation And Reporting
     Product Safety And Liability
     Ergonomic Hazards: Musculoskeletal Disorders (Msds) And Cumulative Trauma Disorders (Ctds)
     Stress And Safety
     Safety And Health Training
     Violence In The Workplace
  In Section 3 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Mechanical Hazards And Machine Safeguarding
     Falling, Impact, Acceleration, Lifting, And Vision Hazards
     Hazards Of Temperature Extremes
     Pressure Hazards
     Electrical Hazards
     Fire Hazards And Life Safety
  In Section 4 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Industrial Hygiene And Confined Spaces
     Radiation Hazards
     Noise And Vibration Hazards
     Computers, Automation, And Robots
     ’ Blood-Borne Pathogens In The Workplace
     Preparing For Emergencies And Terrorism
  In Section 5 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Ethics And Safety
     Hazard Analysis/Prevention And Safety Management
     Promoting Safety
     Environmental Safety And Iso 14000
     Tsm: Safety Management In A Quality Management Setting
     Establishing A Safety-Friendly Corporate Culture

Introduction To Fire Sciences (OSAFS-621)

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS COURSE
  In Section 1 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Introduction
     The Elementary Chemistry Of Combustion
     The Nature And Behavior Of Fire
     Combustion Properties Of Liquid And Gaseous Fuels
  In Section 2 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Combustion Properties Of Solid Fuels
     Sources Of Ignition
     Structure Fires And Their Investigation
     Grass And Wildland Fires And Their Investigation
  In Section 3 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Automobile, Motor Vehicle, And Ship Fires
     Electrical Causes Of Fires
     Clothing And Fabric Fires
  In Section 4 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Explosions And Explosive Combustion
     Chemical Fires And Hazardous Materials
     Laboratory Services
  In Section 5 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Fire-Related Deaths And Injuries
     Arson As A Crime
     Other Investigative Topics

Introduction To Rescue Techniques (OSAFS-791)

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS COURSE
  In Section 1 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Fire Behavior And Combustion
     Fireground Tactical Tasks
  In Section 2 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Incident Command System And Firefighters’ Safety
     Fireground Planning And Tactics
  In Section 3 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Fire Ground Operations
     Fires In Buildings
  In Section 4 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Fires In Mobile Equipment
  In Section 5 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Special Interest Fires

Basic Human Physiology (NS-810)

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS COURSE
  In Section 1 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Homeostasis
     Cell Physiology
     Integumentary System
     The Nervous System
  In Section 2 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Senses
     The Muscular System
     Blood Physiology
     The Cardiovascular System
  In Section 3 of this course you will cover these topics:
     The Immune System
     The Urinary System
     The Respiratory System
     The Gastrointestinal System
  In Section 4 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Nutrition
     The Endocrine System
     The Male Reproductive System
     The Female Reproductive System
  In Section 5 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Pregnancy And Birth
     Genetics And Inheritance
     Development: Birth Through Death

Legal Perspective Of Safety & Health (OSAFS-811)

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS COURSE
  In Section 1 of this course you will cover these topics:
     American Legal System: Search Warrants In Arson Investigations, Fire Code Enforcement, And Civil Litigation
     Line-Of-Duty Death (Lodd) And Safety: Litigation And Fireman’S Rule
     Homeland Security: National Incident Management System, Usa. Patriot Act, And War On Terrorism
     Incident Command: Fire Scene Operations, Training, And Immunity
  In Section 2 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Emergency Vehicle Operations
     Employment Litigation: Age, Beards, Free Speech, And Promotions
     Sexual Harassment: Hostile Work Atmosphere, Pregnancy Discrimination, And Gender Discrimination
     Race Discrimination
  In Section 3 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Americans With Disabilities Act (Ada)
     Family Medical Leave Act (Fmla)
     Fair Labor Standards Act
     Drug-Free Workplace: Random Drug Testing And Firefighter Duis
  In Section 4 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Emergency Medical Services (Ems) And The Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act (Hipaa)
     Physical Fitness
     Critical Incident Stress Management
  In Section 5 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Discipline: Misconduct On-Duty And Off-Duty And Ethical Decision Making
     Arbitration/Mediation
     Legislative Process: Getting Helpful Laws Passed For The Fire Service (Amending The Fireman’S Rule)

Introduction To Hazardous Materials (OSAFS-860)

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS COURSE
  In Section 1 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Introduction
     Some Features Of Matter And Energy
     Flammable Gases And Flammable Liquids
  In Section 2 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Chemical Forms Of Matter
     Principles Of Chemical Reactions
     Aspects Of The Dot Hazardous Materials Regulations
  In Section 3 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Chemistry Of Some Common Elements
     Chemistry Of Some Corrosive Materials
     Chemistry Of Some Water-Reactive Substances
  In Section 4 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Chemistry Of Some Toxic Substances
     Chemistry Of Some Oxidizers
     Chemistry Of Some Hazardous Organic Compounds
  In Section 5 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Chemistry Of Some Polymeric Materials
     Chemistry Of Some Explosive Materials
     Radioactive Materials

Fire Suppression Practices (FIS-068)

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS COURSE
  In Section 1 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Preparation
     Management Tools
     Decision Making
  In Section 2 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Company Operations
     Building Construction
  In Section 3 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Building Collapse And Scene Safety
     Special Situations And Occupancies
  In Section 4 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Health Care And High Risk Populations
     Commercial And Industrial
  In Section 5 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Technical Operations
     After The Incident

Introduction To Fire Brigade (FIS-213)

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS COURSE
  In Section 1 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Fire Fighter Qualifications And Safety
     Standard Operating Procedures And Guidelines
     Fire Service Communications
     Incident Management System
     Fire Behavior
     Building Construction
  In Section 2 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Portable Fire Extinguishers
     Fire Fighter Tools Equipment
     Ropes And Knots
     Response And Size Up
     Forcible Entry
  In Section 3 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Ladders
     Search And Rescue
     Ventilation
     Water Supply
     Fire Hose, Nozzles, Streams
  In Section 4 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Foam
     Fire Fighter Survival
     Salvage And Overhaul
     Fire Fighter Rehabilitation
     Fire Suppression
  In Section 5 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Pre-Incident Planning
     Assisting Special Rescue Teams
     Terrorism Awareness
     Fire Cause Determination
     Fire Brigade Leader

Introduction To Fire Hydraulics (FIS-278)

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS COURSE
  In Section 1 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Principles Of Fire Department Hydraulics
     Water Tanks And Hose Capacity
     Water Supply And Testing Procedures
  In Section 2 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Fire Streams
     Discharge
  In Section 3 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Friction Loss Principles And Application
     Required Pump Discharge Pressure
  In Section 4 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Unusual And Complex Problems
     Pump Capacity And Drafting Operations
  In Section 5 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Relay Operations
     Fire Ground Hydraulics

Introduction To Fire Science (FIS-726)

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS COURSE
  In Section 1 of this course you will cover these topics:
     The History And Orientation Of The Fire Service
     Fire Fighter Qualifications And Safety
     Fire Service Communications
     Incident Management System
     Fire Behavior
     Building Construction
     Portable Fire Extinguishers
     Fire Fighter Tools Equipment
  In Section 2 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Ropes And Knots
     Response And Size Up
     Forcible Entry
     Ladders
     Search And Rescue
     Ventilation
     Water Supply
     Fire Hose, Nozzles, Streams
  In Section 3 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Foam
     Fire Fighter Survival
     Salvage And Overhaul
     Fire Fighter Rehabilitation
     Wildland And Ground Fires
     Fire Suppression
     Pre-Incident Planning
     Fire And Emergency Medical Care
  In Section 4 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Emergency Medical Care
     Vehicle Rescue And Extrication
     Assisting Special Rescue Teams
     Hazardous Materials: Overview
     Hazardous Materials: Properties And Effects
     Hazardous Materials: Recognizing And Identifying The Hazards
     Hazardous Materials: Implementing A Response
  In Section 5 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Hazardous Materials: Scene Safety And Control
     Hazardous Materials: Response Priorities And Actions
     Hazardous Materials: Decontamination Techniques
     Terrorism Awareness
     Fire Prevention And Public Education
     Fire Detection, Protection Suppression Systems
     Fire Cause Determination

Introduction To Fire Investigation (FIS-739)

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS COURSE
  In Section 1 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Introduction To Fire
     The Elementary Chemistry Of Combustion
     The Nature And Behavior Of Fire
     Combustion Properties Of Liquid And Gaseous Fuels
  In Section 2 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Combustion Properties Of Solid Fuels
     Sources Of Ignition
     Structure Fires And Their Investigation
     Grass And Wildland Fires And Their Investigation
  In Section 3 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Automobile, Motor Vehicle, And Ship Fires
     Electrical Causes Of Fire
     Clothing And Fabric Fires
  In Section 4 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Explosions And Explosive Combustion
     Chemical Fires And Hazardous Materials
     Laboratory Services
  In Section 5 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Fire-Related Deaths And Injuries
     Arson As A Crime
     Other Investigative Topics

Introduction To Fire Prevention (FIS-885)

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS COURSE
  In Section 1 of this course you will cover these topics:
     History And Philosophy Of Fire Prevention
     Status Of Education, Engineering, And Enforcement In Usa
     Public Fire And Life Safety Education Programs
  In Section 2 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Enforcing Fire Safety Compliance
     Fire Safety Inspection Procedures
     Preparing Fire Service Personnel For Fire Prevention Duties
  In Section 3 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Organization And Administration Of Municipal Fire Prevention Units
     Instilling Positive Fire Reaction
     Fire Prevention Efforts Of The Private Sector
  In Section 4 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Fire Prevention Responsibilities Of The Public Sector
     International Practices In Fire Prevention
  In Section 5 of this course you will cover these topics:
     Fire Prevention Research
     Proving Fire Prevention Works