Engineering: Fire Protection Engineering (ENFP)

Abstract

The Fire Protection Engineering Department offers a diversified program of graduate studies leading to the Master of Science or the Master of Engineering (Professional Master's) degree. An individual study plan compatible with the student's interest and background is developed between the student and advisor. Several specialized areas of graduate study are available. One possible area focuses on engineering principles concerned with fire modeling and combustion behavior, i.e. the scientific fundamentals of diffusion flame combustion, the mechanics of flame propagation, and the techniques of field or zone simulation for the prediction of fire development and smoke movement. Another example area of study involves the application of risk analysis techniques, using predictive and analytical procedures for the quantitative assessment of the magnitude of fire hazards and the probabilities of potential fire incidents. Related and additional areas of study include "smart" fire detection, structural fire protection, contents and furnishings flammability, fire and indoor air pollution, regulatory effectiveness analysis, and performance based codes. These and other topics are available to graduate students on an individual basis.

Admissions Information

The M.S. and M.Eng. programs are open to qualified students holding the B.S. degree. Full admission may be granted to students with degrees in any of the engineering and physical science areas from accredited programs. In some cases it may be necessary to require undergraduate courses to fulfill the student's background. In addition to the Graduate School requirements, the Graduate Record Examination is,in most cases,required.

Application Deadlines

Type of Applicant Fall Spring

Domestic Applicants; US Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials; International Applicants seeking admissions under A, E, G, H, I and L visas and immigrants
Deadline: May 31
Preferred: February 1 Deadline: October 31
Preferred: September 1

International Applicants seeking admission under F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas
Deadline: February 1
Deadline: June 1

Application Requirements

GRE General
3 Letters of Recommendation

Type of Applicant	Fall	Spring
Domestic Applicants; US Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials; International Applicants seeking admissions under A, E, G, H, I and L visas and immigrants	Deadline: May 31 Preferred: February 1	Deadline: October 31 Preferred: September 1
International Applicants seeking admission under F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas	Deadline: February 1	Deadline: June 1

Degree Requirements

Master of Science or Master of Engineering (M.S. or M.E.)
The M.S. degree program requires a thesis and completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours. Individual programs of study are determined by the student and his or her advisor and the department. In addition to a M.S. degree, the department also offers a Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) degree which requires 30 credit hours of approved courses in major and minor core areas. The department's degree requirements are given in detail in its publications.

Facilities and Special Resources

The department provides laboratory facilities for graduate research. The laboratories contain several standard test apparatus such as the cone calorimeter and LIFT apparatus, smoke measurement and particle obscuration apparatus, salt water modeling tank, and advanced data acquisition systems. Additional facilities are available through our collaboration with the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The departmental computer laboratory contains personal computers and an extensive library of fire modeling software for research related activities. Sun workstations and a DEC-based CAD facility are provided by the Clark School of Engineering. A mainframe computer in the Computer Science Building is available by remote access from the Department Computer Laboratory. The university libraries have an extensive fire protection engineering collection. The department has computerized access to the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Fire Research Library through FIREDOC.

Financial Assistance

Financial aid is available in the form of fellowships and teaching and research assistantships. Research assistantships are awarded in conjunction with the availability of research funds. Professional firms and governmental agencies in the area have work-study programs available to graduate students.

Contact Information

Brochures and publications offered by the Department may be obtained by writing to us below. Further information is readily available via our Internet homepage and world wide web site at http://www.fpe.umd.edu.

James A. Milke, Chair
3106 J.M. Patterson Bldg.-
Fire Protection Engineering Department - University of Maryland - College Park
MD 20742
Telephone: (301) 405-3992
Fax: (301) 405-9383
enfpgrad@deans.umd.edu

http://www.fpe.umd.edu/

Courses: ENFP ENFP

Related Programs and Campus Units

Engineering: Professional Master of Engineering
Graduate Certificate: Engineering