Student Learning Outcomes
Mission Statement
The Department of Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) has a mission to educate students on the many ways we can protect communities and workers from chemical, physical and biological hazards that exist in the environment. We offer our students a practical body of knowledge that can be applied in many ways upon graduation. We summarize our mission with this phrase: “Building a better world, one student at a time.”
About the Department
The Environmental and Occupational Health profession is devoted to understanding the relationship between human health and the environment. Whether it is air pollution, water pollution, hazardous waste, unsafe food or many other special environments (such as workplace settings), the department looks for practical actions that protect human health. Four full-time faculty members, along with numerous affiliated and part-time faculty, teach in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health. The program emphasizes the study of the chemical, physical and biological factors that affect human health and environmental quality. The curriculum provides the basic knowledge and training required for professional careers in the field of community environmental health and industrial hygiene. The curriculum is also excellent preparation for allied health careers in medicine, dentistry or optometry.
Academic Advisement
All majors should review their academic program in consultation with a faculty advisor once per semester. The undergraduate faculty advisors are Nola Kennedy, Antonio Machado, Katherine McNamara and Michael Sullivan. The graduate coordinator and advisor is Nola Kennedy. Email the department office for more information on the degree.
Careers
Graduates find work in occupations such as sustainability coordinators, environmental specialists, industrial hygienists, hazardous waste managers, air quality permit managers, safety supervisors, health and safety inspectors, and environmental managers. Graduates also are employed as administrators and technical specialists in governmental agencies, private industry and consulting firms. Opportunities for teaching, research and advanced professional programs are numerous.
Accreditation
EOH degrees are accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council at the B.S. and M.S. levels.
Clubs and Societies
The Environmental and Occupational Health Student Association (EOHSA) organizes presentations, field trips and student activities. The department Alumni Association, in coordination with EOHSA and department faculty, is very active. It presents a Fall Speed Mentoring Event and a Spring Technical Symposium each year.
REHS Exam Eligibility
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) provides formal approval of the degree at the B.S. level. With this approval, students are permitted to test for the Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) examination immediately upon graduation. At the M.S. level, CDPH provides formal approval as long as the following criteria are met by the student:
- M.S. program admission criteria are met.
- Successful completion of a course in epidemiology (can be met by EOH 560, HSCI 488 or an equivalent course).
- Successful completion of a course in microbiology with laboratory (can be met by EOH 455/L, BIOL 215/L or an equivalent course).
- Successful completion of EOH 553 (required for the M.S. degree).
- Successful completion of EOH 693A (required for the M.S. degree).