Environmental Health Sciences 
Environmental Quality & Health - Degrees
Master of Public Health
The mission of the Environmental Quality and Health (EQH) specialty is to provide a rigorous scientific understanding of the underlying physical, chemical and biological processes that determine the fate and behavior of chemicals and other stressors in the environment, and how these affect public health.
The EQH specialty deals with how to identify and characterize the extent and significance of chemical, physical and biological contaminants in our environment, and how to use this knowledge to strengthen our ability to anticipate, recognize and respond to environmental health challenges. Issues of particular include: sources, reactions, transport, fate and effects of chemical (natural and synthetic) and biological pollutants in air, water and soil environments; use of technological means to prevent or mitigate contamination; data analysis and interpretation; risk characterization and communication; laws and regulations related to environmental health and safety; and research to provide new insights and innovative solutions to environmental health concerns.
In addition to the general public and environmental health education provided by the SPH and EHS Cores, students will acquire advanced knowledge and understanding about:
- Nature of biological, physical and chemical hazards in air, water, soils and food.
- Transport, transformation and fate of contaminants in the environment.
- Fundamental basis of exposure, dose and response.
- Contribution of environmental risk factors to disease burden in the community.
- Sampling and analytical techniques used to monitor contaminants and stressors in various media, including biological monitoring and the use of biomarkers.
- Risk assessment and risk management, including applications in policy and decision-making.
- Role of epidemiology in the identification, analysis and control of environmental hazards.
- Policies, laws and regulations addressing environmental contaminants and stressors, and the enforcing governmental agencies.
- Economic, policy, political and technical aspects of management and decision-making pertaining to environmental quality and health.
- Professional practice and ethics in industry, government, and/or nongovernmental organizations.
Sample Curriculum
Master of Sciences (MS)
The MS degree is geared for students seeking research careers and serves as a doctoral preparatory program, in effect, while also providing sufficient coursework in core toxicology topics to qualify graduates for professional practice should they not continue on to the PhD program.
Sample Curriculum
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The PhD program follows conventional norms in terms of essential coursework, proficiency examinations, proposal writing/presentation, research and professional development, and defense of the written dissertation.
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