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.
Competency Area |
Specific Competencies |
Learning Opportunities |
Evaluation Opportunities |
Describe the direct and indirect human, ecological and safety effects of major environmental and occupational agents |
| |
- PubH 6101, 6102, 6103, 6104, 6105, 6112, 6130, 6131, 6150, 6170, 6171, 6173, 6180, 7194, 7196, 8161, 8444, 8666, 8777, 8888
|
- Course evaluations
- Student grades
- Student, faculty and preceptor evaluations of field program
- Master’s or doctoral research project
|
| Describe genetic, physiologic and psychosocial factors that affect susceptibility to adverse health outcomes following exposure to environmental hazards |
| |
- PubH 6102, 6104, 6105, 6130, 6150, 6170, 7194, 7196, 8161, 8444, 8666, 8777, 8888
|
- Course evaluations
- Student grades
- Student, faculty and preceptor evaluations of field program
- Master’s or doctoral research project
|
| Describe federal and state regulatory programs, guidelines and authorities that control environmental health issues |
| |
- PubH 6101, 6103, 6105, 6112, 6130, 6150, 6161, 6170, 6173, 7194, 7196, JOUR 8193, 8444, 8666, 8777, 8888
|
- Course evaluations
- Student grades
- Student, faculty and preceptor evaluations of field program
- Master’s or doctoral research project
|
Specify current environmental risk assessment methods |
| |
- PubH 6101, 6104, 6112, 6150, 6161, 6170, 6173, 6175, 6180, 7194, 7196, 8161, 8444, 8666, 8777, 8888
|
- Course evaluations
- Student grades
- Student, faculty and preceptor evaluations of field program
- Master’s or doctoral research project
|
Specify approaches for assessing, preventing and controlling environmental hazards that pose risks to human health and safety |
| |
- PubH 6101, 6102, 6103, 6104, 6105, 6112, 6130, 6131, 6150, 6161, 6170, 6171, 6174, 6180, 7194, 7196, 8161, 8140, 8444, 8666, 8777, 8888
|
- Course evaluations
- Student grades
- Student, faculty and preceptor evaluations of field program
- Master’s or doctoral research project
|
Explain the general mechanisms of toxicity in eliciting a toxic response to various environmental exposures |
| |
- PubH 6101, 6104, 6112, 6130, 6150, 6170, 7194, 7196, 8161, 8444, 8666, 8777, 8888
|
- Course evaluations
- Student grades
- Student, faculty and preceptor evaluations of field program
- Master’s or doctoral research project
|
Discuss various risk management and risk communication approaches in relation to issues of environmental justice and equality |
| |
- PubH 6101, 6102, 6105, 6112, 6130, 6131, 6170, 7194, 7196, JOUR 8193, 8444, 8666, 8777, 8888
|
- Course evaluations
- Student grades
- Student, faculty and preceptor evaluations of field program
- Master’s or doctoral research project
|
Develop a testable model of environmental insult |
| |
- PubH 6101, 6103, 6104, 6112, 6130, 6131, 6150, 7194, 7196, 8161, 8444, 8666, 8777, 8888
|
- Course evaluations
- Student grades
- Student, faculty and preceptor evaluations of field problems report
- Master’s or doctoral research project
|
Independently develop original hypotheses and design research studies to test hypotheses |
| |
- PubH 8444, 8666, 8777, 8888
|
- Faculty evaluations of master’s or doctoral research project
|
|
