The
masters degree program in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
was one of the original programs established at the Hunter College
Institute of Health Sciences in 1971. The program's first director
was Dr. George J. Kupchik, a New York City environmental engineer
and public health sanitarian. The initial focus was two fold; to develop
specialists in environmental impact assessment and to train teachers
seeking careers in environmental education. The industrial hygiene
/ occupational health curriculum was added in the early 1970's with
the formation of the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA). The program is part of the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) - NY/NJ Educational Resource Center since
1971 and receives government support to train and develop industrial
hygiene specialists. Today the EOHS graduate program is one of the
largest in the School of Health Sciences and is recognized as a leader
in environmental and occupational health education in the NY/NJ metropolitan
area.
The
program is designed for individuals seeking careers as environmental
and/or occupational health professionals. While emphasizing the recognition,
evaluation and control of environmental and occupational factors affecting
health, the curriculum also includes consideration of economic, sociopolitical,
and regulatory issues. Offerings are designed so that students may
pursue a broad course of study in environmental health science or
may specialize in industrial hygiene. Internship opportunities are
available with numerous outside organizations as well as research
with faculty members. All courses are held in the evening and studies
can be pursued on a full or part-time basis
Environmental
and Occupational Health Sciences (EOHS) is one of 3 tracks in the
Urban Public Health Program within the School of Health Sciences;
the other 2 are Community Health
Education and Public Health Nutrition.
The track was founded in 1971 and presently offers an MS and MPH degree.
EOHS is also a member of the NIOSH supported Educational Research
Center for the New York and New Jersey area (see
www.nynjerc.org)
which among other benefits, offers fellowships to academically qualified
individuals wishing to study industrial hygiene.
This
document describes the goals of the Master of Science curriculum
by identifying the knowledge you will gain and the skills you will
acquire during your studies. The document outlines:
Our Mission
Educational Objectives
Program Outcomes
If you have any questions about these goals, please contact your advisor.
Student feedback is very important to us and we would greatly appreciate
the input.
Our Mission
Our mission is to educate professionals who can to anticipate,
identify, and assess environmental and workplace health hazards, recommend
corrective measures and institute programs to reduce morbidity and
mortality. As a component of the Urban Public Health Program;
EOHS has a specific focus on hazards affecting urban populations.
Educational Objectives: What will you learn?
In order to satisfy the Mission, the faculty have identified specific
Educational Objectives that are addressed through the curriculum.
-
The
educational objectives for the Master of Science in Environmental
and Occupational Health Sciences are listed
below:
-
Most
graduates with appropriate work experience who seek professional
certification in industrial hygiene, industrial safety or hazardous
materials management will be successful
-
All
graduates will qualify to work as EOHS professionals who can anticipate,
identify, evaluate and control environmental and workplace health
hazards
While undertaking
the required course of study,
students will:
1.
Learn about common industrial processes, operations and
manufacturing techniques found in the US.
2 . Study and assess occupational and
environmental hazard notification systems such as MSDS and
transportation placards.
3. Develop ability to identify, describe
qualitatively, and quantify agents, factors, and stressors generated
by and/or associated with defined sources, unit operations, and/or
processes.
4. Learn about physiological and/or
toxic interactions of physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic
agents, factors, and/or stressors with the human body.
5. Develop an understanding of the
qualitative and quantitative aspects of exposure assessment,
dose-response, and risk characterization based on applicable
pathways and modes of entry.
6. Learn the principles of operation,
calibration, and methodology for using basic sampling
instrumentation to detect chemical and physical agents in the work
environment.
7. Learn to identify and apply
appropriate standard sampling and analytical methods such as those
developed by NIOSH, OSHA, and EPA.
8. Study the operation and use of
various environmental labs including types of analysis, typical
costs, sample submittal processes, quality assurance/quality control
programs, and laboratory accreditation procedures.
9. Learn to generate, review, interpret,
and apply statistical and epidemiological data from published
research.
10. Learn the origin, scientific basis,
interpretation, and application of various environmental and
occupational exposure limits and be able to communicate that
information to others.
11. Become skilled at evaluating,
recommending, and putting into practice administrative and
engineering controls and personal protective equipment to reduce or
eliminate occupational hazards.
12 Hone a combination of teamwork, business, and managerial skills
to become active in the prudent development, implementation, and
management of environmental and occupational hygiene-related
programs
13. Become proficient at preparing
technical summaries and reports using the most current technology
for managing and presenting data and incorporating appropriate data
and observations from the peer-reviewed environmental and
occupational hygiene community.
14. Develop an understanding of the roles
of city, state, and federal government in promoting health and
preventing disease.
15. Learn the fundamental aspects of
safety and environmental health
16. Develop an understanding of
appropriate ethical practices in environmental and occupational
hygiene.
17. Develop a critical understanding of
the multi-level problems important to delivery of environmental and
occupational health services within a diverse urban community with
various special needs and vulnerabilities and the history of those
issues.
18. Develop skills in diagnosing the
strengths and problems of the urban environment and fostering
programs to improve the health and welfare of urban communities and
to influence institutional and public policy with the aim of
improving the health of the urban environment and its constituents.
19. Acquire the knowledge needed to attain
recognized professional certification
Project Outcomes: What will you have when you graduate?
The following program outcomes are skills, practices and knowledge we
expect you to have acquired upon graduating from the MS degree track.
Hunter
EOHS-MS degree track graduates will have:
-
an
ability to apply knowledge of math, science, and engineering related
applied sciences
-
an
ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze
and interpret data
-
an
ability to formulate or design a system, process or program to meet
desired needs
-
an
ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
-
an
ability to identify and solve engineering-related problems
-
an
understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
-
an
ability
to communicate effectively
-
the
broad education necessary to understand the impact of solutions
in a global and societal context
-
a
recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in lifelong
learning
-
a
knowledge of EOHS contemporary issues
-
an
ability to use the techniques, skills, & modern scientific and
technical tools necessary for professional practice
-
an
understanding of the particular public health problems of urban
communities, and
-
an
ability to apply their public health knowledge to help promote health
and prevent disease among urban populations.
(Last updated May
2007)
About The Program