Fire Science

Director: Sorin Iliescu, Assistant Professor, M.S., University of New Haven; Ed.D. Johnson & Wales University

Fire science is an interdisciplinary master’s program designed to provide an advanced technical background for fire service, fire safety, occupational safety, and security professionals who are involved with fire protection and investigation. Fire protection specialists require knowledge of the science and methodology for preserving lives and property by preventing or minimizing losses resulting from fires, explosions, accidents, and related hazards. Current national data indicate that trained fire protection specialists are in extremely limited supply. Initial job opportunities in the insurance field, industry, and government service may involve applications in engineering, research and product design, building and systems design, fire hazard analysis, marketing of equipment, or insurance. The fire science program and courses cover a wide range of topics including the proper design, arrangement, and use of building materials; analysis of fire and explosion hazards; safe design of industrial processes; management of property loss control and insurance programs; investigation of fires; management in the public sector; and safe design, selection, and handling of equipment and materials. Updated skills are provided in the application of fire protection principles to fire department, water supply, and building code aspects of community planning.