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Fire protection engineers, like their counterparts in other engineering and scientific disciplines, undertake a formal course of education and continuing professional development to acquire and maintain their competence. This education typically includes foundation studies in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and technical writing. Professional engineering studies focus students on acquiring proficiency in material science, statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, engineering economics, ethics, Systems in engineering, reliability, and environmental psychology. Studies in combustion, probabilistic risk assessment or risk management, the design of fire suppression systems, the application and interpretation of model building codes, and the measurement and simulation of fire phenomena complete most curricula[citation needed]. In the United States, the University of Maryland (UMD) offers the only ABET-accredited B.S. degree program in Fire Protection Engineering, as well as graduate degrees and a distance M.Eng. program. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) offers a M.S. and a Ph.D. in Fire Protection Engineering[citation needed]. Oklahoma State University offers a ABET-accredited B.S. in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology (established in 1937) and is unique in its own right due to their hands on approach and combination of disciplines[citation needed]. It is often referred to as "The Westpoint of Fire Service"[citation needed]. Graduates of OSU's program receive the GSP classification, and may also become certified and/or licensed as a PE, CSP, CIH, CHMM, and OHST[citation needed]. Other institutions, such as the University of Kansas, Illinois Institute of Technology, University of California, Berkeley, and University of Houston–Downtown have offered courses in Fire Protection Engineering or technology[citation needed]. The practice of fire sprinkler systems design, hydraulic calculation, and pipe connective strategies is commonly taught in-house at mechanical contracting firms throughout North America, and eventually prepares designers for certification by proof testing by associations such as NICET (National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies). NICET certification is commonly used as a proof of competency for securing a systems designer license and or a mechanical license for installing fire protection systems.