Degree Overview: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degrees in Safety Engineering
Majors Overview November 14, 2014Although Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree programs in Safety Engineering are not offered, those still interested can take Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree programs in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering or Occupational Safety and Health; these programs teach students about safety engineering and health. Those that graduate will become important influences for civilian and worker protection.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Programs in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering
Students enrolled in Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree programs in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering can expect to become adept at recognizing and providing solutions to fire protection challenges. They can also expect to be armed with the skills and knowledge necessary for excelling in the field of fire protection.
Identification of industrial processes, effective communication in teams, recognition and anticipation of hazards, management of risks, interpretation of codes, and investigation of incidents are among the things learned by undergraduates. Those that successfully complete the program become adept at reducing loss caused by toxic chemicals and fire, managing risk, and complying with federal laws.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma. Students enrolled in some programs are also required to complete a pre-professional program before they are allowed to begin core coursework.
Coursework
Coursework is devised to train enrolled students to perform leadership and management roles while learning about passive and active fire protection services, fire behavior, and research investigation. Core coursework may include topic areas such as:
•Fire scene reconstruction
•Human responses to fire
•Fire arson investigation
•Safety analysis
•Fire research applications
Career Choices
Those that successfully graduate from the program can seek opportunities in major businesses and industries, in addition to leadership roles within the field of fire protection. Job opportunities for these professionals exist in:
•Fire insurance
•Fire protection engineering
•Industrial safety
Continuing Education Choices
Program graduates may seek continuing education by earning advanced degrees in fire protection and safety technology, such as a Master of Fire Protection and Administration (M.F.P.A.), wherein they can gain a strong grasp of fire modeling and fire dynamics.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Programs in Occupational Safety and Health
Students enrolled in Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree programs in Occupational Safety and Health are taught coursework with an emphasis on principles of engineering technology, speech, psychology, physics, health, and math. The program teaches the fundamentals needed to improve the health and safety of workers and the general population alike while affording them protection from illness and injury.
State-of-the-art equipment is employed to facilitate the performance of hygiene and safety duties, and students can expect to complete the program with a firm grasp of occupational safety, industrial hygiene, fire protection, and safety management.
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma.
Coursework
Knowledge of the basic sciences is covered in general education classes, while an in-depth look into occupational safety, environmental law, toxicology, systems safety, and fire prevention is provided in professional coursework along with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance standards.
Experiential learning is emphasized in these courses, wherein laboratory activities are often included. Students may also cover additional coursework, such as:
•Technical reporting
•Loss control
•Ergonomics
•Industrial hygiene
•Construction safety
Job and Wage Outlook
An at-par-with-average job growth rate of 11% has been predicted for health and safety engineers, including fire protection engineers, over the 2012 – 2022 decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2012, health and safety engineers brought home an average annual wage of $76,830. Health and safety engineers can generally expect job opportunities in accident prevention, industrial hygiene, and occupational hazard inspection and control.
Continuing Education Choices
Those that successfully complete the program can seek continued education by obtaining certification, advanced degrees, or both. They can aim for graduate certificates in system safety, safety engineering, and security and safety engineering as well as a Master of Science (M.S.) in Occupational Safety and Health Engineering.