Fire Safety Engineering Technology FAQs

1. Who might be interested in applying to this program?

Engineering technology is a large and rapidly developing technical field that includes one of the newest educational opportunities available--the Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Technology with a concentration in Fire Safety Engineering Technology (FSET). The fire safety engineering technologist is a highly sought-after professional upon whom the public relies for safety and security. Traditional activities include fire prevention, firefighting, arson investigation, and emergency services. In addition to these skills, today's firefighter is required to be familiar with advanced firefighting techniques, sophisticated equipment, hazardous materials, and modern management, organization, and planning techniques. Graduates of Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology (BSET) programs quickly find opportunities for advancement in their chosen field as an integral part of the management team responsible for public safety and emergency services.

The two-year technical institute programs in North Carolina and in many other states provide an excellent foundation for four-year baccalaureate engineering technology curricula. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte's program in Fire Safety Engineering Technology is specifically designed to provide graduates of two-year associate degree programs in fire protection the opportunity to continue their education at the baccalaureate level. In order to accommodate students whose personal schedules prohibit their access to daytime or on-campus courses, beginning with the Fall 2000 semester, UNC Charlotte will offer the curricula leading to the BSET in Fire Safety Engineering Technology via Distance Education on-line on the Internet/World Wide Web. Students with time and place constraints who are interested in advancement in this critical field of public service should consider this program. This on-line, part-time program may also appeal to students who begin the FSET Program as on-campus students and subsequently discover that they cannot continue in that format.

2. What does 2+2 Mean?

2+2 describes a Bachelor's Degree earned in two parts. The first part is the two-year Associate's Degree taken at a technical or community college. The second part is the additional 2 years of full-time study needed to complete a Bachelor's (or four-year) Degree. Because this particular program is offered at a less demanding, part-time pace to accommodate the needs of students unable to participate in a full-time, on-campus program, this second part (completion of the Bachelor's Degree) will require a minimum participation period of four years.

3. What does "via Distance Education" mean?

Mode of delivery for the coursework has been specially designed to meet the unique needs of firefighters and emergency medical technicians who often work 24-hour shifts. While all coursework will be delivered via the World Wide Web (Internet), the program will offer students the opportunity, if they choose to do so, to participate in live classes as they are being taught. To make this opportunity available to off-campus students, all fire safety engineering technology major courses will be taught as 1/3 live, 2/3 web-based sessions. Distance Education students will be able to choose between participating in the live class periods by logging on at the scheduled time for the course or by downloading the sessions for later viewing at a more convenient time. Students are strongly encouraged to take part in the "live" portions of the classes, but such participation will not be required. Specialized equipment is necessary to take part in the live class sessions, and many of North Carolina's fire chiefs have indicated an interest in providing that equipment at local stationhouses. Prospective students interested in taking part in the live sessions should discuss this possibility with their local superiors. For more specific information on the coursework arrangements, please request an Interest Packet from the UNC Charlotte Distance Education Office (see the contact information section of this brochure).

Every student must have extended and convenient access to the Internet to successfully complete this distance education program. Some courses will utilize additional media for the delivery of instruction, such as DVD CD-ROM, videotape, audiotape, etc. A description of the specific technology requirements is included in the Interest Packet that is available upon request.

The mix of media proposed for individual courses may be modified in future years to allow UNC Charlotte to take advantage of technological advances that will improve the delivery of instruction.

4. Will I be able to do ALL of my coursework from a computer in my home?

Coursework will not demand that students assemble as a group at a designated site. Instead, you will be able to participate individually, most typically from your home or from another location that affords "extended, convenient access" to the Internet and to the computer technology as described in the Interest Packet. Exams that require proctoring will be given at scheduled times and in pre-approved locations agreed upon by you and your proctor in consultation with the distance education program manager.

5. When does the program begin? What if I can't start in Fall 2000?

Coursework will begin in Fall 2000. The first class day of the Fall 2000 semester is August 23, 2000 (at printing). A list of classes included in the program is printed elsewhere in this brochure. The order of course delivery is being set to enable a student to successfully complete his or her Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Technology in four years. A second sequenced program of courses is set to begin in 2001, so prospective students who are unable to take advantage of the Fall 2000 start date may opt to start in 2001.

6. How much will it cost?

Resident tuition and fees for the Fall 2000 semester will be approximately $37.50 per credit hour (or $108.50 per 3-credit course). Non-resident tuition and fees for the Fall 2000 semester will be approximately $283.00 per credit hour (or $ 845.00 per 3-credit course). These estimates are based on the 1999-2000 Academic Year rates and are subject to change before the Fall 2000 semester (Academic Year 2000-01). Students will have additional expenses for textbooks and other course materials.

7. What admission conditions and prerequisites do I have to meet?

The Engineering Technology Program at UNC Charlotte is limited to the junior and senior years. An Associate in Applied Science degree in fire protection is required for admission. Your overall grade point average upon admission to the university must be at least 2.2 (based on the 4.0 system) on all courses taken at the technical institute or community college.

For a complete list of prerequisites for admission and requirements for graduation specific to the Distance Education Engineering Technology Program in Fire Safety Engineering Technology, please mail the attached card or call the Distance Education Office to request an Interest Packet, or visit UNC Charlotte's College of Engineering Website at www.coe.uncc.edu.

Total maximum transfer credit from a two-year college is 96-quarter hours or 64 semester hours.

8. What kind of technology is required to take part in this program?

In order to participate in this distance education program, students will need "extended, convenient access" to a basic technology package. The basic minimum technology package will include computer hardware, software, and access/connection rate information. Upon receiving a request for more information about this program, the UNC Charlotte Distance Education Office will supply prospective students with this information.

9. What if I need technical assistance?

Technical assistance for this distance education program will be provided to you via the Internet and through a special toll-free telephone number. After you apply for and gain admission to the program you will be provided with instructions to configure your computer in order to access computerized UNC Charlotte resources.

10. How will I get my textbooks & other course materials?

You will obtain required textbooks and supplemental materials through on-line textbook vendors or local bookstores. The student services coordinator in the Distance Education Office will provide titles, ISBN numbers, etc. to students. You will be notified about and provided the means to obtain any special order materials.

11. When is orientation? Do I have to attend?

Individual instruction on the Internet offers students who cannot come to campus a very unique opportunity to continue their education; however, it presents unique challenges. In an effort to insure that each student is ready to meet the challenges of "learning at a distance," UNC Charlotte and the Engineering Technology Department of the William States Lee College of Engineering require that all students enrolled in the Distance Education BSET-Fire Safety Engineering Technology program attend an on-campus orientation. You will have the opportunity to meet program faculty, college administrators, and the Distance Education staff. Detailed information about orientation will be provided in the Interest Packets mailed to prospective students.

12. Will someone be available to help me understand the academic program and its requirements?

Once you are admitted to the program in FSET, you will be assigned a faculty academic advisor who will work with you throughout your program. Academic program questions may be directed to Professor Jeff Kimble in the Fire Safety Engineering Technology Program office at (704) 547-4177. He will be available to you by phone or email.

13. What kinds of academic assistance will be available to me?

You will have access to your instructors via email, toll-free telephone, or fax. You will also have access to academic support services on-line, via email, toll-free telephone, fax, etc.

14. How will I use library resources?

You will have access to the Atkins Library on the UNC Charlotte campus through the Internet and electronic databases. You will also have access to community and technical colleges and to UNC System libraries as a community borrower. More specific information will be included in the Interest Packet.

15. How can I be admitted? What is the deadline for applications? And how do I register for courses?

You can receive the Interest packet (including the detailed list of admissions requirements) and the Application for Admission by sending the attached card, or by calling, emailing, or writing the Distance Education Office. The contact information is listed below. You will then complete the application and return it along with any required supporting documents and a check for the $35.00 processing fee (made payable to UNC Charlotte) to the FSET Program Manager, Distance Education Office, 201 King, UNC Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223. The application will be forwarded to the Undergraduate Admissions Office for evaluation and processing. The Undergraduate Admissions Office will notify you about your admissions status.

Class size is limited, and prospective students are urged to apply early. The deadline for applications is July 1st. Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a "space available" basis.

Once you have been admitted by Undergraduate Admissions, the Distance Education Office will assign a Student Services Coordinator to work with you to complete necessary administrative tasks (for example, the course registration process) and to secure any additional assistance you need. The Student Services Coordinator will contact you shortly after you have been admitted to the University.

16. Who can I contact to get more information on the academic program?

For Academic Program information, contact:

Professor Jeff Kimble
Fire Safety Engineering Technology Program
UNC Charlotte
9201 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28223-0001
Phone: (704) 547-4177
Fax: (704) 547-6499
jkimble@uncc.edu

17. How can I get an Interest Packet, Application or Registration information?

For an Interest Packet, Application, and Registration information, contact:

FSET Program Coordinator
Office of Distance Education
UNC Charlotte
9201 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28223-0001
Phone: (704) 547-4594
Fax: (704) 547-3158
distanceed@uncc.edu
toll-free: 1-877-583-2966 or 1-888-242-2317

18. Are course schedules available online?

The University Catalog and current on-campus Schedule of Courses are available online at: http://www.uncc.edu/registrar

19. What courses are offered as part of the FSET Distance Education Program?

Courses Offered as part of the FSET Distance Education Program: