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Academic Catalog 2019/2020

Construction Safety Sciences

Bachelor of Science
School of Sciences, Sustainability, and Health

This major prepares students for a variety of occupational safety and health program management positions in the private and public construction sector. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, hazard identification and prioritization, problem solving, cost effectiveness, professional skills in programmatic management, and safety and environmental regulatory compliance. Graduates will have the capacity to pursue graduate study or transition directly into careers in loss control, risk management, organizational safety, and consulting.

Students should meet with a Construction Safety Sciences advisor as soon as they express an interest in this area to review course requirements, admission and progression criteria. It is expected that students in this program will be highly motivated and will demonstrate academic excellence during their passage through the program. To progress, students will need to meet certain milestones. Students who are unable to meet the criteria described below will have the opportunity to complete the B.S. in Safety and Occupational Health Applied Sciences (SOHAS) program.

Admission and Progression Criteria

  • Minimum high school GPA of 3.0 or greater
    –or–
  • Minimum college transfer GPA of 2.5 or greater

For transfer students, equivalent transferred courses will be considered for substitution by the SOHAS faculty and Chair.

Once accepted to Keene State College, to be accepted to the Construction Safety Sciences program:

  1. Earn a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher in the following three courses:
    • ITW 101 Thinking and Writing
    • INSAFE 213 Safety Chemistry
    • SAFE 202 Occupational Safety
  2. Successfully complete the Basic Math Capability Assessment Exam

Basic Math Capability Assessment Exam

Successful completion of this exam is required for all Construction Safety Sciences students in their first year at Keene State College. The exam is given throughout the fall and spring semesters at the Math Center. To schedule an appointment to take the exam, please contact the Math Center at (603) 358-2023 or www.keene.edu/mathctr.

  • The exam is a five-part diagnostic exam testing your knowledge and skills in the following areas. Each part contains 10 questions, for a total of 50 questions: 1) Fractions, 2) Decimals, 3) Ratios and Proportions, 4) Percentages, and 5) Measurements.
  • Use of a non-programmable calculator is acceptable.
  • Basic conversions should be memorized. They will not be given on the exam.
  • You will be given exactly ONE HOUR to complete this exam.
  • The results of the exam will be emailed to you within two weeks of taking the exam via your ksc.keene.edu email address.

The FIRST time you take the exam, there are 3 outcomes:

  1. Score at least 80% on each of the five topics listed above on your first attempt, then you have passed the exam and have met the basic math requirement for the Construction Safety Sciences program.

  2. Score less than 80% on 1 of the topics listed above on your first attempt, you will need to complete the assigned review work on that topic, have the work checked by a tutor at the Math Center, and then take a quiz on that topic. Each quiz contains 10 questions. Once you pass the quiz by answering at least 8 out 10 questions correctly, you have met the basic math requirement for the Construction Safety Sciences program.

  3. Score less than 80% on 2 or more of the 5 topics listed above on your first attempt at the exam, you must take the ENTIRE EXAM a second time. There is no carryover of results from your first attempt. You must seek help from the peer tutors at the Math Center for help on the sections you did not pass.

If you need to RETAKE the exam, there are 3 outcomes:

  1. If you answer at least 8 out of 10 questions correctly (at least 80%) on each of the five topics listed above on your second attempt, then you have passed the exam and have met the basic math requirement for the Construction Safety Sciences program.

  2. If you score less than 80% on 1 of the topics listed above on your second attempt, you will need to complete the assigned review work on that topic, have the work checked by a tutor at the Math Center, and then take a quiz on that topic. Each quiz contains 10 questions. Once you pass the quiz by answering at least 8 out of 10 questions correctly, you have met the basic math requirement for the Construction Safety Sciences program.

  3. If you score less than 80% on 2 or more of the topics you will be advised of other academic options such as a B.S. in Safety and Occupational Health Applied Sciences.

If you have any questions regarding this exam, please contact the Math Center.

Program Progression

Each student in the Construction Safety Sciences (CSS) major is required to meet the progression criteria identified by year (listed below). Failure to meet specified criteria will result in a faculty advisor review of the student’s performance and may result in remedial action plan. Failure to meet requirements of a written remedial action plan will result in removal from the CSS program.

To remain in the CSS program, the student must meet these basic requirements:

  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher.
  • Uphold and honor the KSC Code of Conduct (cases of academic dishonesty and other violations of the code will result in expulsion from the program).

Recommended:

  • Join the Student Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals. It is highly recommended that students also attend and participate in meetings and activities.
  • Join and engage with Rho Sigma Kappa (RSK), National Safety Honor Society (if grades allow) and engage in meetings and activities.

In addition to the basic requirements, a student must complete the following requirements by year of progression in the CSS program. Failure to do so will result in removal from the program.

First Year (if completing the CSS program in 3 years)

  1. Complete the first summer Boot Camp (either SAFE 208 or SAFE 209).

  2. Complete SAFE 210 Construction Internship I earning a grade of C or better, or be withdrawn from the program. A summary of accomplishments from these experiences (and artifacts/projects) will be included in each student's portfolio. See the internship syllabi for specific artifacts.

  3. Boot Camp and Internship assignments identified per syllabi are to be completed as required and retained in a portfolio. Portfolios will be presented at the start of the second year to SOHAS faculty.

Second Year (if completing the CSS program in 3 years)

  1. Complete second summer Boot Camp (not to repeat Boot Camp completed in Year 1).

  2. Complete SAFE 410 Construction Internship II earning a grade of C or better, or be withdrawn from the program. A summary of accomplishments from these experiences (and artifacts/projects) will be included in each student's portfolio. See the internship syllabi for specific artifacts.

  3. Boot Camp and Internship assignments identified per syllabi are to be completed as required and retained in a portfolio. Portfolios will be presented at the start of the third year to SOHAS faculty.

Note: The explicit progression criteria are based on a 3 year degree completion plan. If the CSS degree is to be completed in 4 years, then the first and second year criteria apply to the second and third years respectively relative to Boot Camp and Internship requirements.

Integrative Studies Requirements

40 credits minimum

Major Requirements

100 credits

Required Allied Discipline Courses

16 credits

MATH 120 Applied Algebra and Trigonometry
IHSP 101 Elementary Spanish I¹
IHSP 102 Elementary Spanish II
INPHYS 201 Phenomenal Science or INPHYS 131 Engineering Fundamentals

¹ Construction Safety Sciences students who have had no prior Spanish should register for IHSP 101. However, students with successful high school or college study should consult with their CSS faculty advisor and Spanish faculty to determine the appropriate level of Spanish. If IHSP 101 is waived due to prior study, the minimum proficiency is IHSP 102, and the student will proceed with 4 ISP elective credits to satisfy degree requirements.

Core Courses

60 credits

INSAFE 213 Safety Chemistry
SAFE 202 Occupational Safety
SAFE 205 Construction Methods
SAFE 206 Construction Safety Standards
SAFE 207 Human Factors in Construction
SAFE 214 Safety and Health Standards
SAFE 301 Risk Management
SAFE 302 Law and Ethics in Safety
SAFE 304 Environmental Law and Regulation
SAFE 305 Health Hazard Identification
SAFE 306 Behavioral Based Safety
SAFE 307 Safety Management Systems
SAFE 308 Construction Safety Practices
SAFE 309 Construction Emergency Action Plans
SAFE 403 Construction Industrial Hygiene

Construction Boot Camp

16 credits

SAFE 208 Construction Boot Camp 1 (8 credits)
SAFE 209 Construction Boot Camp 2 (8 Credits)

Internships

8 credits

SAFE 210 Construction Internship 1
SAFE 410 Construction Internship 2

Electives

Select courses to reach a total of 120 credits for the degree.

Degree Requirements

120 credits