Dwayne Porter, Interim Chair

Overview

The environmental health sciences examine the interactions between humans and their environment. Human activities impact on environmental quality and environmental factors, and, in turn, are principal determinants of human health. Exploration of these complex interactions involves numerous elements of pure and applied sciences, e.g., biology, chemistry, engineering, public health, and medicine.

Faculty members of the Department of Environmental Health Sciences have expertise in a broad range of disciplines necessary to the solution of problems in environmental health sciences. This expertise includes air pollution, analytical chemistry, aquatic and mammalian toxicology, aquatic ecology, marine ecotoxicology, biochemistry, chemical engineering, coastal zone management, ecosystem modeling, risk and impact assessment, exposure analysis, environmental engineering, environmental law, environmental physiology, environmental planning, genomics, hazardous materials management, bioremediation/phytoremediation, health physics, industrial hygiene, occupational epidemiology, nanosciences, noise pollution and hearing conservation, occupational health, terrestrial and landscape ecology, remote sensing and GIS, water and wastewater treatment, and wetlands ecology.

The mission of the Department of Environmental Health Sciences (ENHS) is founded on the philosophy that healthy environments enhance the health and well-being of individuals and the communities in which they live. Thus the goals of the department are to:

• develop improved methods for assessing the health and quality of the environment
• promote a clearer understanding of the relationships between humans and their natural, home, and work environments
• provide society with means of managing hazardous substances, preventing environmental degradation, and controlling occupational hazards
• protect the natural resources upon which life depends
• provide scientifically sound information for policymakers to encourage social awareness of and societal actions toward sustaining a healthy relationship with the environment.

The Department of Environmental Health Sciences offers the following degrees: Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Master of Science in Public Health (M.S.P.H.), Master of Science (M.S.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Three program tracks are available to students in the M.P.H. and M.S.P.H. programs: environmental quality, industrial hygiene, and hazardous materials management. A common level of core training is completed prior to undertaking advanced study and research.

Department Admission Requirements

General

Individuals who wish to pursue graduate work in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences must meet or exceed the general admission requirements of The Graduate School and the following departmental requirements:

• grade point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
• evidence of previous training/experience in a pure or applied scientific discipline
• minimum score of 1050 (verbal plus quantitative) on the Graduate Record Examination
• completion of a minimum of 24 hours of science-based courses to include the following for the M.P.H. degree: college algebra, pre-calculus, chemistry (general; quantitative-organic chemistry also desirable), biology (general, plus advanced courses)
• completion of a baccalaureate degree with 120 hours of science-based courses or equivalent for the M.S., M.S.P.H., and Ph.D. degrees to include:
  • a minimum of 60 hours in physical or life sciences, mathematics, engineering, and/or technology
  • at least 15 hours of the 60 hours in upper level junior, senior, or graduate level courses
  • 21 or more semester hours in communication, humanities, and social sciences.

Applicants must submit the following:

• Graduate Record Examination scores
• official transcripts
• brief statement (maximum of two pages) that describes professional and educational objectives, work experiences, and activities applicable to the proposed plan for graduate study
• three letters of recommendation.

Applicants who do not meet all of the above requirements but who possess overall potential may be considered for conditional admission. Applicants should submit an application packet through the School of Public Health Application Service (www.sophas.org) unless advised otherwise by the Office of Academic Affairs.

Doctor of Philosophy

Applicants to the Ph.D. program must meet the above requirements and in addition must have a master’s degree in a pure or applied scientific discipline applicable to the environmental health sciences and from a university accredited by a regional accrediting agency. Individuals with exceptional performance at the master’s level (top 10-20 percent) are preferred. A personal interview may also be required.

Other Requirements

Applicants who plan to pursue a master’s level degree in the industrial hygiene program must also meet ABET criteria. These include a baccalaureate degree (120 semester hours or equivalent) with 63 or more semester hours in undergraduate or graduate level courses in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology with a grade of C or better.

Programs Overview

Program Tracks

Details describing degree requirements and program tracks can be found in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences Handbook.

Environmental Quality Students pursuing work in the environmental quality track gain expertise in scientific approaches to the recognition, evaluation, and management of threats to environmental quality and the health of human populations. Students have the option of pursuing advanced study and research in environmental assessment and planning, environmental toxicology, ecosystems analysis and modeling, air quality monitoring and modeling,  genomics, nanosciences, and environmental microbiology and trophic studies.

Industrial Hygiene Students pursuing study in this area gain expertise in the recognition, evaluation, and control of health hazards in the work environment. Graduates of the industrial hygiene program typically are employed in industry, consulting firms, government agencies, and other institutions (e.g., hospitals). Research specialization in industrial hygiene may include: sampling and calibration methods (especially diffusive samplers), exposure assessment, theory and evaluation of chemical protective clothing, application of computational fluid dynamics, air cleaning methods and devices, exposure assessment, risk assessment, and ergonomics.

Hazardous Materials Management Study in the hazardous materials management program track provides experiences that develop knowledge and skills needed to function in the management of hazardous substances. This includes: basic knowledge necessary to identify, handle, transport, treat, and dispose of hazardous chemical substances in compliance with existing laws and regulations. Students following this track find employment opportunities with federal, state, and local governments, private industry, and consulting firms. Options for advanced study and research in this track include: environmental and human health protection; use and disposal of hazardous materials; microbial and phytoremediation of hazardous materials; impact of hazardous materials on biological systems; migration, fate, and transformation of hazardous materials in the environment; site safety; and multimedia exposure assessment.

Master’s Degrees

Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) The M.P.H. degree is oriented toward development of a broad background in public health and preparation for professional practice. The M.P.H. degree requires 42 credit hours of study and is practice-oriented. M.P.H. students complete a supervised internship (practicum) in lieu of a thesis.

Master of Science in Public Health (M.S.P.H.) The M.S.P.H. degree requires 41 credit hours of study and involves a more individualized program of study that emphasizes the scientific basis of public health and problem-solving research in the environmental health sciences. M.S.P.H. students complete a thesis that provides in-depth study of the scientific basis of their selected area of concentration and development of specialized research skills. Individuals pursuing the M.S.P.H. program are encouraged to complete one or more internships as a cooperative venture with industry and/or government.

Master of Science (M.S.) The M.S. degree is an academic research degree which may be tailored to individual interests and job market needs. The M.S. degree requires a minimum of 36 graduate hours and combines real-world problem solving and research skills with other technical, health, and related skills to prepare effective environmental health researchers for the public and private sectors. Students complete a research thesis.

Doctoral Degrees

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Doctoral students complete a program of study that emphasizes professional development, scientific competence, and research expertise. The Ph.D. requires a minimum of 45 hours of course work beyond the master’s and includes 12 credit hours of dissertation preparation. Up to 16 graduate course-work hours from the master’s degree may be applied toward the Ph.D. with advisory committee approval. A student may be admitted without a master’s degree with approval of the faculty in the student’s area of emphasis. However, those students entering without a master’s degree are required to take additional course work in environmental health sciences equivalent to the master’s degree. To achieve doctoral candidate status, students must pass a qualifying examination after the first year of study. Upon completion of all course and language requirements, doctoral candidates must pass an oral and/or written comprehensive examination. All doctoral candidates must prepare and defend a dissertation that represents significant research in their area of advanced study. Doctoral students must demonstrate a reading proficiency in a modern foreign language if deemed necessary by the doctoral advisory committee.

Environmental Health Sciences