School of Public Health Self-Study Report > Appendix > Appendix 2.6.c. Competencies Chart > Appendix 2.6.c. Environmental Health Sciences MS and PhD Competency Statement

Appendix 2.6.c. Environmental Health Sciences MS and PhD Competency Statement

MS and PhD degrees are academic degree programs, which focus on the science of environmental health. Upon graduation, a student with an MS should, and be able to interpret published data. Students with a PhD should be able to integrate biological, chemical, physical and behavioral environmental factors on human health and ecological balances, independently develop original hypotheses and design research studies to test hypotheses, publish original research, prepare a grant application, and evaluate the impact of environmental health studies. In addition to obtaining a broad background through core courses, EnHS students select a focus area based on their academic goals. EnHS graduate educational programs are organized into three core areas that reflect the trans- and multi-disciplinary scientific fields of environmental health as an essential component of the wider field of public health. MS and PhD students are expected to develop academic research skills in their respective focus area. Focus areas in Environmental Health Effects (toxicology, epidemiology), Environmental Exposure Science (chemistry, microbiology, industrial hygiene, injury prevention), and Environmental Health Policy (risk assessment, management, communication, policy formation) emphasize training in the biological mechanisms, assessment, management, and communication of environmental health hazards with a focus on preventing the occurrence or spread of disease.