MPH* Occupational and Environmental Health Specialization (OEH)

The MPH* degree with a specialization in Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH) is offered with two options: a professional training option in occupational hygiene, and a research training option in occupational or environmental health.

Professional Training Option Description

Occupational hygiene is a multidisciplinary profession drawing upon many basic and applied disciplines in the life, physical, engineering and behavioural sciences. The main aim of the profession is the prevention of disease and injury arising from the workplace. It involves the identification of health hazards, the evaluation or assessment of the extent of risk posed by the hazards, and the elimination or control of the risks. Health hazards typically found in the workplace include chemicals; physical agents, such as noise, heat, vibration and radiation; and biological agents, such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. In addition ergonomic and safety hazards commonly encountered in workplaces, are also of interest in occupational hygiene as are workplace environmental controls.

Occupational Hygienists require a sound understanding of modern technology and industrial processes, and their impact on health. Also they must understand the political, psycho-social and economic context in which they work and they must work effectively with medical/clinical, engineering, and human resources professionals, employees/workers as well as business/organizational leaders and workplace stakeholders such as union and labour leaders.

Occupational Hygiene is a developing profession, with over 10,000 active professionals in North America. There are well established professional competency standards, set by both the Canadian Registration Board of Occupational Hygienists (CRBOH) and the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH).

Objectives

The objective of this degree is to train Occupational Hygiene professionals to anticipate, identify and assess the potential risks to health posed by hazardous materials, agents and situations in the occupational environment, to evaluate exposures to these hazards, and to develop and manage effective control strategies for them. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate a knowledge of those principles in the physical and biological sciences necessary for developing competence in the theoretical and practical aspects of occupational hygiene
• Display a thorough understanding of all aspects of occupational hygiene practice
• Describe the effects of exposure to workplace hazards and methods used in hazard analysis and risk assessment
• Explain the influence of workplace hazards on the general environment and the role of the hygienist in environmental protection
• Demonstrate a knowledge of ergonomics, occupational safety, accident prevention, and, occupational health and safety considerations of labour relations
• Demonstrate the critical skills required in the review of scientific literature, and a knowledge of research methods, including epidemiological and statistical techniques as they apply to occupational health
• Communicate effectively with labour, management, the public and other members of the scientific community

Admission Requirements

• Each year we accept approximately 10 students in total, with varied academic science backgrounds.  Review the general admission requirements.
• Undergraduate degree in the physical, life, engineering or environmental sciences. Applicants are expected to have completed courses in a variety of areas including chemistry, physiology/toxicology, statistics, mathematics, biology, and physics.
• Click here for information regarding the application process.
• Previous applicable experience is taken into account, but is not necessary for admission.
• All suitable applicants are invited to an interview (in person or by telephone)

• An undergraduate course in statistics is highly recommended;
• Research experience gained through an undergraduate research project and/or a work setting is an asset.
• Admission is dependent upon the availability of a supervisor to oversee the student's research project.

Professional Training Option Course Requirements: (10.0 FCE)

The objective of the MPH* Occupational and Environmental Health research option is to provide training to students who wish to pursue a research career in occupational and/or environmental health. The program still requires 10.0 FCE. However there is considerably more flexibility in the course selection and in the length and nature of the practicum activities than in the professional option. (See admission criteria above)

The area of study will be customized to the student’s research interest, consisting of an individualized combination of courses, selected to support the chosen research area of the student, and one or two practicum placements in research settings that will assist the student in gaining experience in research design, methodology and conduct. The research practica will account for 5 and up to a maximum of 10 half-course credits, depending upon the size, nature and complexity of the particular research topic(s). Applicants considering this option are encouraged to seek out potential supervisors, in areas of research that are of interest to them, in the spring preceding their first fall term.  Coursework will be aimed at providing students with the skills they require to complete the research project, increase their knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings of their chosen research area and provide additional depth to their knowledge in their specific topic area, as well as broadening their knowledge of occupational and environmental health generally. All courses, including directed readings, will be selected in consultation with the Research Supervisor and be approved by the MPH* Program Leader.

Research Training Option Course Requirements (10.0 FCE)