Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences

Undergraduate Program

The Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences offers the following programs of study:

• The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in environmental health
• A minor in environmental health

Bachelor of Science

Department Admission Requirements

1. Admission to the major is competitive. Applicants must complete substantial prerequisite coursework (see below) and an application to be considered. Completing the prerequisites and submitting an application do not guarantee admission.
2. Applications are due the third Friday of autumn, winter, spring, and summer quarters. Applications can be downloaded from the Environmental Health Undergraduate Program Web site at http://depts.washington.edu/ehug. Prospective students should apply one quarter before they wish to enter the major; ideally, students enter the major by or before the beginning of their junior year.
3. Applicants must complete the following, with a minimum grade of 2.0 in each course, to be considered for admission:
   1. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50
   2. 5 credits of English composition
   3. BIOL 180, BIOL 200, BIOL 220
   4. CHEM 142, CHEM 152, CHEM 162
   5. CHEM 237, CHEM 238, CHEM 239 (or CHEM 223, CHEM 224)
   6. Either MATH 124 or MATH 144 or Q SCI 291 (MATH 112 does not satisfy this requirement)
4. The program manager, department advisers, and the chair evaluate applications based on overall GPA, grades in math, science, and composition courses; demonstrated writing ability; and stated reasons for applying to the major. Grades in chemistry, biology, math, and ENV H courses weigh heavily in the admission process.
5. Applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with the program manager before submitting an application.
6. Transfer students may use any transferable equivalent course(s) for prerequisite coursework. Please consult the UW Equivalency Guide or a UW adviser to verify transferability of coursework.

Major Requirements

1. General Education and Basic Skills: Completion of 10 credits in VLPA-designated courses and 10 credits in I&S-designated courses (of which 6 credits are specified under requirement 3), plus 7 credits in W-designated courses (of which 4 credits are specified under requirement 4).
2. PHYS 114, PHYS 115, PHYS 117, PHYS 118 (or PHYS 121 and PHYS 122). Completion of these courses prior to entering the program is recommended.
3. ENV H 311, ENV H 405, ENV H 431, ENV H 432, ENV H 433, ENV H 472, ENV H 482 (2 credits minimum), and two of the following: ENV H 440, ENV H 441, ENV H 445 (or ENV H 446), ENV H 490.
4. EPI 420, STAT 311 (or STAT 220 or Q SCI 381), T C 333, MICROM 301, MICROM 302.
5. 30 additional credits of approved electives.
6. Sufficient elective credits to reach a total of 180 credits.

Minor

1. Core Courses: 14 credits of the following: ENV H 311, ENV H 405, EPI 420; STAT 220 or STAT 311.
2. Approved Electives: 15 credits of electives from the approved departmental list. See Web site or adviser for details.

Student Outcomes and Opportunities

• Instructional and Research Facilities: The department houses thirteen centers and institutes and twenty labs.
• Honors Options Available: None offered.
• Research, Internships, and Service Learning: The department operates an internship program in cooperation with government agencies and private employers throughout the state. Each student intern works under the supervision of an experienced employee, with guidance from a faculty member. Internship placements are available throughout the year for variable amounts of academic credit.
• Department Scholarships: None offered.
• Student Organizations/Associations: UW Student Environmental Health Association

Graduate Program

Graduate Program Coordinator
F461 Health Sciences, Box 357234
206-543-3199

The Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences offers three graduate degrees: Master of Science, Master of Public Health, and Doctor of Philosophy. The areas of emphasis are environmental and occupational hygiene (Ph.D.) industrial hygiene and safety (M.S.), toxicology (Ph.D./M.S.), environmental health (M.S.), and occupational and environmental medicine or environmental and occupational health (M.P.H.).

The Ph.D. in Environmental and Occupational Hygiene option focuses on the assessment of exposures, health effects, and control strategies in community and work environments. The program emphasizes expertise in exposure assessment to evaluate human health risks from chemical, physical, and biological agents. Research opportunities include: laboratory and field investigations of environmental exposures and health outcomes; air, soil and water pollution monitoring; ambient, indoor, and personal exposure modeling; evaluation of biomechanical stress factors and organization of the work environment; development of new instruments, biomarkers, and novel methods for assessing human exposures; and evaluation of effective control strategies for the prevention or reduction of illness and injury.

The M.P.H. in Environmental and Occupational Health provides an opportunity for students to focus on the recognition, assessment, and control of environmental and occupational hazards, the impact of these hazards on health and society, and approaches to regulations, enforcement, and policy development. It emphasizes development of skills essential to science-based public health practice. In addition to coursework, students complete a field practicum and research in any of the department's research facilities or in a field setting.

The M.P.H. in Occupational and Environmental Medicine is for individuals with an earned doctorate. The goal of the program is to provide training in the public health sciences with a focus on occupational and environmental health. The program provides didactic instruction and participation in field studies. Research efforts focus on understanding, preventing, and managing environmental and occupational disease, injury, and disability. Physicians also have the option of applying for a concurrent fellowship or residency in occupational and environmental medicine.

The concurrent M.P.H./M.P.A. or M.S./M.P.A. degree programs with the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs seek to educate students who bring substantive public health knowledge and a strong policy and management orientation to their professional careers. . With several courses that satisfy degree requirements in both programs, students are able to earn the two degrees in a shorter period of time than if the degrees were taken separately. Applicants must apply to both programs.

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites for admission to the M.S. industrial hygiene and safety, toxicology, and environmental health programs and the M,P.H. environmental and occupational health program include a bachelor's degree in science or engineering with coursework in biology, chemistry, calculus, and physics. Applicants with non-science majors are considered if the prerequisite courses have been completed. Competitive applicants typically have strong grades and Graduate Record Examination scores, a statement of personal goals consistent with the program, and supportive letters of reference.

Prerequisites for admission to the M.P.H. Occupational and Environmental Medicine program include a doctoral degree (M.D., D.O. or equivalent) with prior coursework in physics, chemistry, calculus, and biology. Concurrent residency applicants must satisfy additional prerequisites including graduation from a Class A medical school (U.S., Canada, or equivalent) and completion of one year of approved internship. Three years in primary care specialty is also encouraged.

Prerequisites for admission to the Ph.D. environmental and occupational hygiene and toxicology programs include a bachelor's degree in science or engineering with coursework in biology, chemistry, calculus, and physics. A master's degree in a related field is recommended for Ph.D. environmental and occupational hygiene applicants. Selection of an applicant is also based upon an honors-level GPA, a statement of personal goals consistent with the program, supportive letters of reference, and high scores on the Graduate Record Examination.

Master of Public Health

Degree Requirements

• Core Requirements: EPI 511 (or EPI 512, EPI 513), BIOST 511 (or BIOST 517). M.P.H./M.P.A. students are also required to take BIOST 512 (or BIOST 518), HSERV 510, and HSERV 511.
• Required Courses: ENV H 405 (or ENV H 514, ENV H 515, and ENV H 516), ENV H 453 (or ENV H 553 or ENV H 564), ENV H 570, ENV H 577 (or ENV H 472 or ENV H 543), ENV H 446 (or ENV H 490, or ENV H 541, or ENV H 545, or ENV H 552). Courses in environmental health not chosen can be taken as electives.
• Electives
  • Thesis Track: At least two additional 400- or 500-level departmental courses (minimum 6 credits).
  • Project Track: At least four additional 400- or 500-level departmental courses (minimum 9 credits).
• Practicum: ENV H 599
• Degree Project:
  • Thesis Track: ENV H 700
  • Project Track: ENV H 598

Master of Science, Environmental Health

Degree Requirements

• Core Courses: ENV H 580, ENV H 581, ENV H 583, ENV H 700, BIOST 511 (or BIOST 517 or higher), EPI 511
• Required Courses: ENV H 405, ENV H 453, ENV H 541, ENV H 543 (or ENV H 577), ENV H 552, ENV H 594, ENV H 445 (or ENV H 446), ENV H 490, ENV H 545
• Representative Electives: 9 graded elective credits, approved by the student’s academic adviser.

Master of Science, Industrial Hygiene

Degree Requirements

• Core Courses: ENV H 580, ENV H 581, ENV H 583, ENV H 700, BIOST 511 (or BIOST 517, or higher), EPI 511. Higher level biostatistics and epidemiology courses can be substituted for BIOST 511 or BIOST 517, and for EPI 511.
• Required Courses: ENV H 405, ENV H 553, ENV H 555, ENVH 557, ENV H 560, ENV H 564, BIOST 512 (or BIOST 518, or higher level), ENV H 552 (or ENV H 570). If both ENV H 557 and ENV H 570 are taken, one can be used toward the 12 elective credits (see below).
• Electives: 12 or more credits from the list below, in consultation with the program director or adviser. If both ENV H 552 and ENV H 570 (above) are taken, one may count toward required elective credits. Courses include ENV H 417, ENV H 446, ENV H 457, ENV H 556, ENV H 559, ENV H 562, ENV H 566, ENV H 584, ENV H 596 (taken winter quarter).

Master of Science, Safety and Ergonomics

Degree Requirements

• Core Courses: ENV H 580, ENV H 581, ENV H 583, ENV H 700, BIOST 511 (or BIOST 517, or higher), EPI 511. (Higher level biostatistics and epidemiology courses can be substituted for BIOST 511 or BIOST 517, and for EPI 511.)
• Required Courses: ENV H 405, ENV H 553, ENV H 560, ENV H 562, ENV H 564, ENV H 566, ENV H 596, BIOST 512 (or BIOST 518). (Higher level biostatistics courses can be substituted for BIOST 512 or BIOST 518). IND E/ENV H 537, MGMT 300.
• Representative Electives: ENV H 457, ENV H 512, ENV H 555, ENV H 557, ENV H 559, ENV H 569, ENV H 570, ENV H 572, ENV H 584, T C 517, UCONJ 420.

Master of Science, Toxicology

Degree Requirements

• Core Courses: ENV H 580, ENV H 581, EHV H 583, ENV H 700, BIOST 511 (or BIOST 517, or higher), EPI 511.
• Required Courses: ENV H 514, ENV H 515, ENV H 516, ENV H 552, ENV H 577, BIOC 405, BIOC 406 (or BIOC 440, BIOC 441, BIOC 442), ENV H course in industrial hygiene or occupational medicine).
• Representative Electives: Toxicology students who take the two-quarter biochemistry series (BIOC 405, BIOC 406) must have an additional 9 graded elective credits. Students who choose the three-quarter biochemistry series (BIOC 440, BIOC 441, BIOC 442) must have an additional 3 graded elective credits. Electives must be approved by the student's academic adviser. Electives may include ENV H 511, ENV H 512, ENV H 531, ENV H 532, ENV H 533, ENV H 535, ENV H 550, ENV H 553, ENV H 555, ENV H 567, ENV H 570, ENV H 582, ENV H 584, ENV H 591, BIOL 403, BIOL 411, BIOST 521, C MED 407, MICROM 441, MICROM 442, MICROM 518, PATH 444, PATH 555, P BIO 500-level courses, P BIO 405, P BIO 406, P BIO 507, PEDS 512, PHCOL 401, PHCOL 402, PHCOL 403, PHCOL 527.

Doctor of Philosophy, Environmental and Occupational Hygiene

Degree Requirements

• Core Sciences (11-12 credits): Sequence of three courses in one area, to be approved by adviser.
• Biostatistics (3 credits): BIOST 512 (or BIOST518 or higher)
• Epidemiology (4 credits): EPI 511 (or higher)
• Environmental and Occupational Health Seminar (6 credits):ENV H 580
• Dissertation (27 credits): ENV H 800
• Lab Rotations (6-9 credits): ENV H 595
• Required courses:
  • Industrial Hygiene (6 credits): ENV H 553 and ENV H 555
  • Toxicology (3 credits): ENV H 405 (or more advanced)
  • Environmental Chemistry (3 credits): ENV H 552
  • Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology (3 credits): ENV H 570
  • Electives (20 credits): 10 elective credits are unspecified and 10 must be in courses taught by Industrial Hygiene or Environmental Health program faculty.

Doctor of Philosophy, Toxicology

Degree Requirements

• Core Sciences (11-12 credits): Sequence of three courses in one area, to be approved by adviser.
• Biostatistics (3 credits): BIOST 512 (or BIOST518 or higher)
• Epidemiology (4 credits): EPI 511 (or higher)
• Environmental and Occupational Health Seminar (6 credits):ENV H 580
• Dissertation (27 credits): ENV H 800
• Lab Rotations (6-9 credits): ENV H 595
• Required courses:
  • Toxicology (9 credits): ENV H 514, ENV H 515, ENV H 516
  • Toxicology Seminar (9 credits): Of the 9 credits (minimum) of current topics courses, at least six credits must be in ENV H 591. The other credits can be chosen among other current topics courses offered by the Department of Environmental Health or other departments, with approval of student's advisory committee.
  • Advanced Toxicology: 6 credits from approved list
  • Physiology: 3 credits from approved list
  • Electives (20 credits): 10 elective credits are unspecified and 10must be in courses taught by Industrial Hygiene or Environmental Health program faculty.

Financial Aid

Support is available for many students in the form of traineeships or research assistantships, which include tuition. This support comes from federal and private sources awarded to the department or School.

Research Facilities

Specialized laboratories exist for research in industrial hygiene chemistry, optical remote sensing of chemicals, industrial ventilation, ergonomics, trace organics and heavy metals, environmental microbiology, electron microscopy, controlled exposure to environmental agents, and toxicology (including toxicogenomics and analytical cytology). Field research is facilitated through an extensive consultation-service program conducted by this department for labor and industry in Washington state.