What Are the Core Courses for a Degree in Environmental Health?
Core courses for a bachelor's degree program in environmental health are generally similar from institution to institution. They often cover topics such as human health and toxic chemicals, food protection and industrial hygiene.
Program Overview
A bachelor's degree program in environmental health focuses on factors that affect human health and the environment. Students pursing this degree should be prepared to explore multiple scientific fields. Possible jobs for graduates include environmental consultant or environmental risk assessor. In addition to courses in math, biology, chemistry and physics, students can also expect to complete fieldwork. The following are some core courses required for a bachelor's degree in environmental health.
Important Facts About This Field of Study
| Degree/Certificate Levels | Associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs available |
| Possible Careers | Air pollution specialist, toxocologist, food safety expert |
| Concentrations | Public health, environmental health, industrial hygiene, global environmental health |
| Online Availability | Online programs are available |
| Median Salary (2018) | $71,130 (Environmental Scientists and Specialists)* |
| Job Outlook (2016-2026) | 11% (Environmental Scientists and Specialists)* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Core Environmental Health Courses
- Environmental Health is an introductory course that examines individuals and their relationship to the environment. The course stresses environmental factors that might transmit disease or allow exposure to harmful physical and chemical materials.
- Human Health and Toxic Chemicals looks at the effects of chemicals on birth defects and cancer. It also examines how toxic chemicals make their way into the environment (source) and where they eventually end up.
- Health, Wastewater and Water presents an overview of the water supply and its quality. It goes on to examine wastewater treatment (technologies).
- Food Protection is a study in how contamination of food occurs. Students learn to identify and characterize agents (either biological or chemical) that may lead to an outbreak of foodborne illness.
- Industrial Hygiene is an introduction to the scientific foundations and principles of industrial hygiene (recognition and prevention of conditions that may result in a worker becoming injured in the workplace).
- Environmental Analysis and Sampling is a lecture and laboratory course on how to properly collect and analyze samples in the field.
- Vector Control examines vectors (arthropods or rodents) that can spread disease from one individual to another.