Oklahoma State University

1506

Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology

Fire Protection and Safety Technology degree graduates can expect to obtain these student outcomes upon graduation: 1. an ability to select and apply the knowledge, techniques, skills, and modern tools of the discipline to broadly-defined engineering technology activities; 2. an ability to select and apply a knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering and technology to engineering technology problems that require the application of principles and applied procedures or methodologies; 3. an ability to conduct standard tests and measurements; to conduct, analyze and interpret experiments; and to apply experimental results to improve processes; 4. an ability to design systems, components or processes for broadly- defined engineering technology problems appropriate to program educational objectives; 5. an ability to function effectively as a member or leader on a technical team; 6. an ability to identify, analyze and solve broadly-defined engineering technology problems; 7. an ability to apply written, oral and graphical communication in both technical and nontechnical environments; and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature; 8. an understanding of the need for and an ability to engage in self- directed continuing professional development; 9. an understanding of and a commitment to address professional and ethical responsibilities including a respect for diversity; 10. a knowledge of the impact of engineering technology solutions in a societal and global context; 11. and a commitment to quality, timeliness and continuous improvement. The graduates of the fire protection and safety engineering technology program at Oklahoma State University are consistently recruited by the major businesses and industries of the United States. Graduate placement, salary offers and advancement into managerial positions have been excellent due to the uniqueness and high technical quality of the OSU fire protection and safety engineering technology program. The Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. Undergraduate Programs • Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology, BSET (p. 1508) • Fire Suppression and Emergency Operations (FSEO), Minor (p. 1511) • Homeland Security Science and Technology (HSST), Minor (p. 1512) • Safety and Exposure Sciences (SAES), Minor (p. 1513) Graduate Programs The Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology (FPST) program offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Science in Engineering Technology with an option in Fire Safety and Explosion Protection (FSEP). The program extends the FPST undergraduate program into graduate research, scholarship and creative activities. The FSEP program is designed to prepare students for professional practice that may include research or consulting components, with major emphasis in fields of interest such as fire protection engineering,

The fire protection and safety engineering technology (FPST) curriculum provides preparation for assessing and reducing the loss potential with respect to fire, safety, industrial hygiene and hazardous material incidents. With respect to fire, reducing the loss potential might involve setting design criteria with a special emphasis on life safety or fire resistivity or specifying automatic detection or extinguishing systems. When considering safety, reducing accidents may require special protective equipment or clothing, or the redesign of machinery or processes. Reducing losses caused by environmental problems may require sampling air for contaminants, such as asbestos or toxic chemicals, or monitoring noise levels, and the development of procedures to address practical approaches to compliance with state and federal regulations. Addressing the problems of handling and disposing of hazardous chemicals, such as spill control, is often required. Managing risk and compliance with federal laws and regulations relative to occupational safety and health and hazardous materials is an increasingly important job activity. The fire protection and safety engineering technology program began at Oklahoma State University in 1937 - which is the oldest fire-related program in North America. The demand by business and industry for loss control specialists has resulted in the evolution of the program into one that now places emphasis on fire protection, safety and occupational/ environmental health. The FPST program prepares graduates for careers in loss control. The loss control profession is segmented into three major areas: loss from fire, loss from physical accidents and loss from environmental exposure. The curriculum is designed to immediately introduce the student to studies in fire protection and safety. Therefore, students are able to measure their interest in a fire protection and safety career early in their academic program. The curriculum is rigorous in the areas of mathematics and the physical sciences. Two semesters of calculus are required as well as two semesters of chemistry and one semester of physics. Computer usage is an essential component of most fire protection and safety courses. Interested high school students should design their high school programs to prepare themselves for college level mathematics and science classes. The program concludes with the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology degree in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology. Program Educational Objectives OSU Fire Protection and Safety graduates a few years after graduation will be: 1. Earning and pursuing personal, technical and professional advancement through their employment. 2. Continuing the pursuit of life-long learning through membership and participation in professional organizations. 3. Developing business expertise within their selected employment organization. 4. Successfully applying mathematical, analytical and technical skills to solve complex problems in the selected field. 5. Meeting the highest standards of ethical practice in their profession.