Course Details

Environmental Health

A Master of Science (MSc) in Environmental Health is a graduate program designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to understand and address environmental factors that affect human health. The program combines elements of public health, environmental science, and policy, aiming to prepare professionals who can assess and manage environmental risks to protect public health.

Course Overview

  • Practical Skills:

    • Conducting environmental assessments and audits.
    • Developing risk management strategies and interventions.
    • Designing and analyzing data for environmental health studies.
    • Implementing policies and programs related to public health and environmental protection.
  • Specializations: Some programs may allow students to specialize in areas like:

    • Occupational health (focused on workplace health hazards)
    • Climate change and its health impacts
    • Food safety
    • Water and sanitation management

1. Introduction to Environmental Health

  • Overview of Environmental Health: Definitions, key concepts, and scope.
  • Historical and Current Issues: Evolution of environmental health as a field, past outbreaks, and global challenges.
  • Principles of Environmental Health: Basic principles guiding environmental health practices and policies.

2. Environmental Hazards

  • Air Pollution: Sources, types, health effects, and mitigation strategies.
  • Water Pollution: Contaminants, diseases, sanitation, and water treatment.
  • Soil and Land Pollution: Agricultural chemicals, waste disposal, and contaminated sites.
  • Noise Pollution: Health impacts and management.
  • Chemical and Toxic Exposures: Hazardous chemicals, pesticides, and their effects on health.
  • Radiation Exposure: Types of radiation and their health impacts.

3. Environmental Epidemiology

  • Introduction to Epidemiology: Key concepts in epidemiology (incidence, prevalence, causality).
  • Epidemiology of Environmental Health Problems: How environmental factors contribute to diseases (e.g., asthma, cancers, cardiovascular diseases).
  • Risk Assessment: Methods for assessing risk from environmental hazards.
  • Environmental Justice: How environmental health issues affect different communities, particularly marginalized groups.

4. Environmental Policy and Legislation

  • Public Health Laws and Regulations: Key policies and international frameworks (e.g., WHO, EPA, Clean Water Act).
  • Environmental Health Governance: National and international organizations involved in environmental health.
  • Risk Communication: How to communicate risks to the public and policymakers.
  • Sustainability and Public Health: Role of sustainability in promoting public health.

5. Global Environmental Health

  • Global Health Challenges: Impact of climate change, deforestation, urbanization, and industrialization.
  • Infectious Disease and Environmental Factors: Link between environmental changes and emerging diseases.
  • Climate Change and Health: Effects of climate change on human health (e.g., extreme heat, vector-borne diseases).
  • Global Environmental Health Movements: International initiatives addressing environmental health (e.g., SDGs).

6. Environmental Health Technologies

  • Water and Air Purification: Techniques and technologies used to reduce environmental risks.
  • Waste Management: Recycling, hazardous waste, and the role of technology in waste reduction.
  • Green Infrastructure: Urban planning and sustainable practices to reduce environmental health risks.

7. Public Health Interventions and Prevention

  • Health Promotion and Education: Strategies for raising awareness and changing behaviors related to environmental health.
  • Environmental Health Assessment Tools: Methods and tools to assess environmental health risks (e.g., Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Health Impact Assessment (HIA)).
  • Prevention Programs: Government and community-based programs to prevent environmental health issues.

8. Fieldwork and Practical Application

  • Case Studies: In-depth analysis of specific environmental health issues (e.g., lead poisoning, air quality monitoring).
  • Field Visits: Site visits to water treatment plants, waste disposal sites, or environmental health agencies.
  • Lab Work: Laboratory exercises involving testing environmental samples (e.g., water, air quality, soil).

9. Emerging Issues in Environmental Health

  • Environmental Health and Technology: The role of new technologies in managing environmental health risks (e.g., digital monitoring, AI in risk assessment).
  • Nanotechnology and Health: Potential risks and benefits of nanomaterials.
  • Genetics and the Environment: How genetics interacts with environmental factors in disease development.

10. Research and Special Topics

  • Research Methods in Environmental Health: Designing and conducting research, data analysis techniques.
  • Current Trends in Environmental Health: Topics like eco-health, sustainable development, green public health policies, etc.
  • Thesis or Final Project: Research project on a relevant environmental health issue.

This guide explains the typical entry requirements for a Masters, which includes;

  • An Undergraduate degree in a relevant subject – Depending on the programme and institution, you may need a 2.1 in your Bachelors, but this isn’t always the case
  • Entrance exams – These are only required in certain subject areas and qualifications
  • Professional experience – Some postgraduate programmes may require you to have some professional experience (this is usually the case for PGCEs and Masters in Social Work)
  • Language proficiency – If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to display a certain ability level, usually through a language test


Tuition fees 

MSc:  Full-time USD 10500. Part-time USD 5100
Postgraduate Diploma:  Full-time USD 7000. Part-time USD 3500

   

Tuition fees for International students 

MSc: Full-time USD 25000
Postgraduate Diploma: Full-time USD16000

 


You’ll show your progress through a combination of written essays, problem-solving assignments and presentations.

All students take our core modules, but please note that the availability of optional modules is subject to demand.


Key Areas of Environmental Health Employment:

  1. Public Health Agencies: Government bodies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) often hire environmental health professionals to monitor and improve public health conditions.

  2. Environmental Consulting Firms: Many private companies focus on environmental impact assessments, risk management, and compliance with environmental regulations. These companies may employ environmental health specialists to evaluate and mitigate health risks associated with environmental hazards.

  3. Nonprofits and NGOs: Organizations dedicated to environmental protection, sustainability, or public health often seek professionals who can advocate for policies, conduct research, or manage projects aimed at improving health outcomes linked to environmental factors.

  4. Academic and Research Institutions: Universities and research organizations hire environmental health professionals to study the relationship between the environment and human health. Researchers often investigate issues like climate change, pollution, or infectious diseases.

  5. Local Government and Municipalities: Local health departments or city planning departments may employ environmental health specialists to inspect and enforce health regulations, conduct public health investigations, and create health-focused policies for communities.

  6. Occupational Health: Professionals working in occupational health focus on ensuring that workplaces meet environmental health standards and do not put workers at risk from exposure to harmful chemicals, pathogens, or unsafe conditions.

  7. Corporate Sector: Corporations, especially in industries such as manufacturing, energy, and agriculture, need environmental health professionals to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and to manage the health impacts of their operations.

Skills and Qualifications for Environmental Health Careers:

  1. Education: A bachelor’s degree in environmental health, public health, or a related field is typically required. For advanced roles, a master's or doctoral degree may be necessary, especially in research or leadership positions.

  2. Knowledge of Environmental Laws and Regulations: Understanding environmental health laws, policies, and regulations is crucial. Professionals often need to work with government standards (such as OSHA or EPA regulations) to ensure compliance.

  3. Risk Assessment Skills: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating environmental risks are core functions of environmental health professionals. This may involve fieldwork, data analysis, and risk communication.


  • Credit 120
  • Course CODE U7767
  • Duration 2 Years
  • Study Mode DISTANCE LEARNING/ AFFILIATE CAMPUS
  • Fee USD 20000
  • Departement BIO SCIENCE