Master of Public Health Program

Upon satisfactory completion of the MPH degree, all graduates will be able to demonstrate a broad knowledge and skills base in the core areas of public health, with particular emphasis in a selected field of public health, and will be able to:

• Apply epidemiologic methods to the measurement of disease rates, prevention of infectious diseases, and the development and evaluation of health programs and policies;
  
  
• Apply statistical methods of estimation and hypothesis testing and explain the basics of correlation and regression for the purpose of analyzing the health of populations;
  
  
• Analyze how environmental contaminants (chemical, physical and other exposures) interact with biological systems and their effect on human populations for the purpose of evaluating risk reduction strategies;
  
  
• Assess the impact on health policy options of social, political, technological, economic and cultural forces, and apply basic management techniques to address organizational challenges to providing health care;
  
  
• Examine public health issues and responses from a social and behavioral sciences perspective and explain social, cultural, political, economic, and behavioral determinants of disparities in health status among population sub-groups; and
  
  
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills for effective practice in their selected field of study.
  
  

Within the context of these overall learning objectives of the MPH program, the Department of Environmental Health Sciences has identified additional objectives for its students.

Master of Public (MPH)

The MPH degree in Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) is designed to prepare students for employment in organizations concerned with environmental and occupational exposures to chemical and physical agents.  Graduates pursue careers in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, federal or state or local environmental protection agencies, health departments, hospitals and public interest groups, among others.  Because the field of environmental health sciences is so broad, students are encouraged to select one of two specialty tracks: Toxicology or Medical/Health Physics.  The two specialty tracks include the MPH degree in EHS learning objectives plus additional objectives specific to their areas of emphasis.  Graduates of the MPH in EHS complete 45 credit hours and a field practicum.

Upon satisfactory completion of the MPH degree in EHS, graduates will be able to:

• Identify important chemical, physical and other exposures in the environment that can affect the health of human populations;
  
  
• Analyze how environmental contaminants (chemical, physical and other exposures) interact with biological systems, including mechanisms of their adverse effects on humans;
  
  
• Critically evaluate the current literature in environmental health sciences including identifying gaps and uncertainties in the knowledge base and in the methodologic approaches to solving environmental health problems;
  
  
• Evaluate the risk of environmental exposures to human populations through the incorporation of exposure, toxicologic and other relevant data into risk assessment methodology, including hazard identification, exposure assessment, dose-response evaluation and risk characterization;
  
  
• Communicate effectively in writing and orally knowledge of environmental hazards to other professionals and the public, including effective risk communication; and
  
  
• Recommend appropriate interventions to control environmental risks and evaluate environmental control programs.
  
  

Toxicology - Track Specific Learning Objectives

The Toxicology track is focused primarily on chemical hazards in the environment. 

Graduates of this track will be able to:

• Apply methods of biochemistry, molecular biology and physiology to elucidate mechanisms of action of environmental chemicals in biologic systems;
  
  
• Analyze toxicologic interactions at the tissue, cellular and molecular levels on the basis of specific exposures and specific organ system effects;
  
  
• Quantitate toxicologic interactions through toxicokinetic analysis;
  
  
• Incorporate biologic markers into toxicologic evaluations of human populations; and
  
  
• Recognize, evaluate and control specific sources of toxic exposures, including air pollution, water pollution and hazardous waste.
  
  

Medical/Health Physics - Track Specific Learning Objectives

The Medical/Health Physics track is focused primarily on physical hazards in the environment particularly ionizing radiation.

Graduates of this track will be able to:

• Explain the nature, types and sources of ionizing radiation;
  
  
• Identify the health effects of ionizing radiation and the mechanisms by which these effects occur;
  
  
• Analyze radiation exposures through health physics instrumentation and radiation dosimetry;
  
  
• Recommend appropriate radiation protection measures and evaluate control programs; and
  
  
• Apply principles of radiation physics to medical applications including diagnostic radiology, radiation oncology and nuclear medicine.

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

The DrPH degree in EHS is designed to train professionals for advanced applied research, teaching and administrative positions in the area of environmental health sciences.  The DrPH program shares the learning objectives of the MPH program, although the students would be expected to master the applied disciplinary specifics in much greater depth, and adds an intensive research dimension.  Students in the DrPH program focus on applied, practical or real-world research problems in a subspecialty area within environmental health sciences.

Upon satisfactory completion of the DrPH degree in EHS, graduates will be able to:

• Conceive, develop and conduct original research leading to practical applications in environmental health sciences;
  
  
• Apply the latest applied science methodologies for testing research hypotheses and solving practical problems in environmental health sciences;
  
  
• Communicate effectively in writing and orally the results of research findings to the public and other professionals:

-          Compose a research article for submission to a peer-reviewed, scientific journal

-          Report research findings at professional meetings

-          Summarize research findings for a non-technical audience;

• Identify significant gaps in the current applied knowledge in environmental health sciences and develop approaches for filling those gaps; and
  
  
• Establish, organize and operate an independent applied research program in environmental health sciences.
  
  

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The PhD degree in EHS is designed to train professionals for advanced basic research, teaching and administrative positions in the area of environmental health sciences.  The PhD shares the learning objectives of the MPH degree in EHS, although the students are expected to explore the basic disciplinary specifics in much greater depth, and adds an intensive research dimension.  Students in the PhD program focus on basic, fundamental or theoretical research problems within a subspecialty area of environmental health sciences.

Upon satisfactory completion of the PhD degree in EHS, graduates will be able to:

• Conceive, develop and conduct original research leading to advances in basic knowledge in environmental health sciences;
  
  
• Apply the latest basic science methodologies for testing research hypotheses and solving fundamental problems in environmental health sciences;
  
  
• Communicate effectively in writing  and orally the results of research findings to the public and other professionals:

-          Compose a research article for submission to a peer-reviewed, scientific journal

-          Report research findings at professional meetings

-          Summarize research findings for a non-technical audience;

• Identify significant gaps in the current basic knowledge in environmental health sciences and develop approaches for filling those gaps; and
  
  
• Establish, organize and operate an independent basic research program in environmental health sciences.