An MS in occupational and environmental health (OEH) is offered with optional subprograms in agricultural safety and health and industrial hygiene.
Learning Outcomes
General Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- describe major environmental hazards that adversely affect human health;
- demonstrate the use of regulatory guidelines that seek to control occupational health and injury issues;
- apply epidemiological principles used to assess associations between exposure to occupational health and injury hazards on health outcomes;
- use computer software and statistical methods to test a hypothesis; and
- use intervention and evaluation theory to prevent occupational health and injury hazards.
Agricultural Safety and Health Subprogram Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- describe the basic concepts of agricultural safety and health;
- summarize epidemiological principles that can be used to determine health outcomes associated with exposure to occupational hazards;
- explain appropriate research design and methodology related to the field of agricultural safety and health;
- communicate agricultural safety and health concepts both orally and in writing;
- interpret the significance of occupationally derived data relative to an exposure or health outcome;
- analyze agricultural safety and health intervention programs; and
- design and implement a research project relative to peer-reviewed literature in agricultural safety and health.
Industrial Hygiene Subprogram Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- anticipate and recognize occupational and environmental hazards (i.e., physical, chemical, and biological agents, factors, and stressors) generated by or associated with defined sources, unit operations, and/or processes;
- describe qualitative and quantitative aspects of the generation of hazards;
- apply scientific principles, instrumentation, and methods to adequately assess exposures to hazards;
- organize and interpret exposure data using qualitative and quantitative methods in the context of physiological, epidemiological, and toxicological knowledge of the response of the human body to hazards;
- recommend and evaluate controls to reduce or eliminate hazards with regard to traditional hierarchy considerations;
- understand applicable business, managerial, and leadership practices with an emphasis on program and project management;
- communicate effectively and appropriately to advocate for continuous improvement in worker health and safety to pertinent audiences, including the workforce, management, the public, and professional peers;
- interpret and apply applicable and emerging regulations, consensus standards, and best practices affecting occupational and environmental health;
- demonstrate an understanding of the professional code of ethics; and
- understand the value of and path to attain professional certification in industrial hygiene and allied fields.
The Master of Science in occupational and environmental health requires 38–43 s.h. of graduate credit. The degree program is offered with three options—the MS in occupational and environmental health (38 s.h.) without a subprogram, the MS with an agricultural safety and health subprogram (42 s.h.), or the MS with an industrial hygiene subprogram (43 s.h.).
MS Without Subprogram
The Master of Science with a major in occupational and environmental health without a subprogram requires a minimum of 38 s.h. and includes the following coursework.
Core Courses
Course List
Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
OEH:4240 | Global Environmental Health | 3 |
OEH:5010 | Occupational and Environmental Health Seminar | 1 |
OEH:5620 | Occupational Health | 3 |
BIOS:4120 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
CPH:6100 | Essentials of Public Health | 2 |
CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health | 1 |
EPID:4400 | Epidemiology I: Principles | 3 |
| |
OEH:4260 | Global Water and Health | 3 |
OEH:4310 | Occupational Ergonomics: Principles | 3 |
OEH:4510 | Injury and Violence Prevention | 3 |
OEH:5410 | Occupational Safety | 3 |
OEH:6110 | Rural Health and Agricultural Medicine | 3 |
OEH:6710 | Human Toxicology and Risk Assessment | 3 |
Electives
Credit earned in elective coursework and the thesis completes the 38 s.h. required for the degree. Students work with their advisor to select courses appropriate for their professional goals.
Thesis
A thesis is required. Students may earn a maximum of 6 s.h. for the thesis.
Course List
Course # |
Title |
Hours |
OEH:7000 | Thesis/Dissertation | arr. |
MS With Agricultural Safety and Health Subprogram
The program prepares students for careers in education, health care, insurance, and agribusiness as specialists in agricultural safety and health.
The Master of Science with a major in occupational and environmental health with an agricultural safety and health subprogram requires a minimum of 42 s.h. and includes the following coursework.
Core Courses, Agricultural Safety and Health Subprogram
Course List
Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
OEH:4240 | Global Environmental Health | 3 |
OEH:5010 | Occupational and Environmental Health Seminar | 1 |
OEH:5410 | Occupational Safety | 3 |
OEH:5620 | Occupational Health | 3 |
OEH:6110 | Rural Health and Agricultural Medicine | 3 |
OEH:6120 | Current Topics in Agriculture and Rural Health (taken three times for 1 s.h. each) | 3 |
OEH:6710 | Human Toxicology and Risk Assessment | 3 |
OEH:7040 | Preceptorship in Occupational and Environmental Health | 1 |
BIOS:4120 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
CPH:6100 | Essentials of Public Health | 2 |
CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health | 1 |
EPID:4400 | Epidemiology I: Principles | 3 |
Electives, Agricultural Safety and Health Subprogram
Credit earned in elective coursework and the thesis completes the 42 s.h. required for the degree. Students work with their advisor to select courses appropriate for their professional goals.
Recommended Elective Courses
This is a recommended list of elective coursework; however, any occupational and environmental health course (prefix OEH) may be taken as an elective.
Course List
Course # |
Title |
Hours |
OEH:4260 | Global Water and Health | 3 |
OEH:4310 | Occupational Ergonomics: Principles | 3 |
OEH:4510 | Injury and Violence Prevention | 3 |
OEH:6420 | Methods in Exposure Science | 3 |
OEH:6431 | Assessing Noise Hazards | 1 |
OEH:6432 | Assessing Nonionizing Radiation Hazards | 1 |
OEH:6433 | Assessing Ionizing Radiation Hazards | 1 |
OEH:6440 | Control of Occupational Hazards | 3 |
OEH:6520 | Injury Epidemiology | 3 |
OEH:6720 | Advanced Toxicology | 4 |
CPH:4200 | Agriculture, Food Systems, and Sustainability | 3 |
Approved Elective Courses From Other Departments
Courses not on this list may be used as elective credit with advisor approval.
Course List
Course # |
Title |
Hours |
CBH:4105 | Introduction to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention | 3 |
CBH:5235 | Community-Based Participatory Research | 3 |
CBH:5305 | Evaluation: Approaches and Applications | 3 |
CBH:6220 | Health Communication Campaigns | 3 |
EPID:5600 | Introduction to Epidemiology Data Management and Analysis | 3 |
EPID:6400 | Epidemiology II: Advanced Methods | 4 |
ISE:3400 | Human Factors | 3 |
Thesis, Agricultural Safety and Health Subprogram
A thesis is required. Students may earn a maximum of 4 s.h. for the thesis.
Course List
Course # |
Title |
Hours |
OEH:7000 | Thesis/Dissertation | arr. |
MS With Industrial Hygiene Subprogram
The program prepares students for careers in industrial hygiene as well as the broad field of occupational and environmental health. Career opportunities are available in health and safety departments of industries; in consulting firms; in academic institutions; and in local, state, and federal public health agencies.
Students choose either the thesis (research option) or nonthesis (internship option). Those who select the thesis option conduct a research project and write a thesis. Those who select the nonthesis option complete an internship.
The Master of Science with a major in occupational and environmental health with an industrial hygiene subprogram requires a minimum of 43 s.h. and includes the following coursework.
Required Courses, Industrial Hygiene Subprogram
Course List
Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
OEH:5010 | Occupational and Environmental Health Seminar | 1 |
OEH:5620 | Occupational Health | 3 |
OEH:6420 | Methods in Exposure Science | 3 |
OEH:6440 | Control of Occupational Hazards | 3 |
OEH:6710 | Human Toxicology and Risk Assessment | 3 |
BIOS:4120 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
CPH:6100 | Essentials of Public Health | 2 |
CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health | 1 |
EPID:4400 | Epidemiology I: Principles | 3 |
| |
OEH:4240 | Global Environmental Health | 3 |
OEH:4310 | Occupational Ergonomics: Principles | 3 |
OEH:4510 | Injury and Violence Prevention | 3 |
OEH:5410 | Occupational Safety | 3 |
OEH:6431 | Assessing Noise Hazards | 1 |
OEH:6432 | Assessing Nonionizing Radiation Hazards | 1 |
OEH:6433 | Assessing Ionizing Radiation Hazards | 1 |
OEH:6450 | Aerosol Technology | 3 |
OEH:6520 | Injury Epidemiology | 3 |
Thesis or Nonthesis Option, Industrial Hygiene Subprogram
Thesis (Research Option)
Research Project and Thesis
Completion of a research project and thesis is required. A maximum of 6 s.h. is allowed for thesis credit in OEH:7000.
Course List
Course # |
Title |
Hours |
OEH:7000 | Thesis/Dissertation | arr. |
Electives, Thesis
Thesis option students complete additional elective coursework to earn at least 43 s.h. required for the major. Students work with their advisor to select courses most appropriate for their professional goals.
Nonthesis (Internship Option)
Internship and Internship Report
Completion of an internship and an internship report is required. A maximum of 3 s.h. is allowed for internship credit in OEH:7050. Students are required to complete a minimum 150-hour internship.
Course List
Course # |
Title |
Hours |
OEH:7050 | Occupational and Environmental Health Internship | 0,3 |
Electives, Nonthesis
Nonthesis option students complete additional elective coursework to earn at least 43 s.h. required for the major. Students work with their advisor to select courses most appropriate for their professional goals.
Applicants must apply through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS); they also must apply for admission to the Graduate College through the University of Iowa Office of Admissions. For detailed application information and admission requirements, visit How to Apply to Occupational and Environmental Health on the department's website.
The occupational and environmental health faculty takes several factors into consideration when evaluating applications for admission, including grade-point averages, letters of recommendation, intent and motivation for graduate study, and research interests. Students with deficiencies in one area may be admitted if all other components of their application are very strong.
MS applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00. Undergraduate preparation for applicants should include coursework in mathematics, biology, chemistry, and either physical sciences or engineering, depending on the applicant's chosen specialty area.
Students may enter in the fall. May 1 is the final application deadline.
Most students receive financial support through traineeships, graduate research assistantships, and teaching assistantships.
Students accepted to programs with a focus on occupational health and safety, including agricultural safety and health, ergonomics, industrial hygiene, and occupational injury prevention, may receive traineeships and financial support in the form of fully paid tuition and a monthly stipend. These traineeships are offered through the Heartland Center for Occupational Health and Safety, and are only available for U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents.
Students with a focus on environmental health, global health, or environmental toxicology are generally funded by graduate research assistantships or teaching assistantships.
The program prepares students for professional and academic careers in environmental and occupational health. Graduates will be qualified for a career in a range of private, public, and academic positions; consulting firms; state and federal occupational and environmental agencies; chemical and consumer products areas; pharmaceutical industries; and universities.
Sample Plans of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Occupational and Environmental Health, MS
Agricultural Safety and Health Subprogram
Plan of Study Grid (Manual)
Academic Career |
Any Semester |
a |
|
|
|
| Hours | 0 |
First Year |
Fall |
OEH:5010 |
Occupational and Environmental Health Seminar b |
0 |
OEH:4240 |
Global Environmental Health |
3 |
OEH:5620 |
Occupational Health |
3 |
OEH:6120 |
Current Topics in Agriculture and Rural Health c |
1 |
EPID:4400 |
Epidemiology I: Principles |
3 |
CPH:6100 |
Essentials of Public Health d |
2 |
CPH:7270 |
Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health e |
0 |
| Hours | 12 |
Spring |
OEH:5010 |
Occupational and Environmental Health Seminar b |
0 |
OEH:6110 |
Rural Health and Agricultural Medicine |
3 |
OEH:6120 |
Current Topics in Agriculture and Rural Health c |
1 |
OEH:6710 |
Human Toxicology and Risk Assessment |
3 |
OEH:7010 |
Problems in Occupational and Environmental Health |
0 |
CPH:7270 |
Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health e |
1 |
f |
3 |
| Hours | 11 |
Second Year |
Fall |
OEH:7040 |
Preceptorship in Occupational and Environmental Health |
1 |
BIOS:4120 |
Introduction to Biostatistics |
3 |
f |
3 |
f |
3 |
| Hours | 10 |
Spring |
OEH:5010 |
Occupational and Environmental Health Seminar b |
1 |
OEH:5410 |
Occupational Safety g |
3 |
OEH:6120 |
Current Topics in Agriculture and Rural Health c |
1 |
OEH:7000 |
Thesis/Dissertation h |
4 |
|
|
| Hours | 9 |
| Total Hours | 42 |
Industrial Hygiene Subprogram
Plan of Study Grid (Manual)
Academic Career |
Any Semester |
a |
|
|
|
|
|
| Hours | 0 |
First Year |
Fall |
OEH:5010 |
Occupational and Environmental Health Seminar b |
0 |
OEH:5620 |
Occupational Health |
3 |
OEH:6420 |
Methods in Exposure Science |
3 |
BIOS:4120
|
Introduction to Biostatistics
or Epidemiology I: Principles |
3 |
CPH:7270 |
Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health c |
0 |
CPH:6100 |
Essentials of Public Health d |
2 |
| Hours | 11 |
Spring |
OEH:5010 |
Occupational and Environmental Health Seminar b |
0 |
OEH:6710 |
Human Toxicology and Risk Assessment |
3 |
OEH:7050 |
Occupational and Environmental Health Internship e |
0 |
OEH:7010 |
Problems in Occupational and Environmental Health |
0 |
CPH:7270 |
Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health c |
1 |
f |
3 |
f |
3 |
| Hours | 10 |
Second Year |
Fall |
EPID:4400
|
Epidemiology I: Principles
or Introduction to Biostatistics |
3 |
f |
3 |
f |
3 |
f |
3 |
| Hours | 12 |
Spring |
OEH:5010 |
Occupational and Environmental Health Seminar b |
1 |
OEH:6440 |
Control of Occupational Hazards g |
3 |
OEH:7050 |
Occupational and Environmental Health Internship e |
3 |
f |
3 |
|
|
| Hours | 10 |
| Total Hours | 43 |