Environmental and Occupational Health

Department links

PhD in Environmental and Occupational Health Web site

Public Health faculty

Degree Conferred:

• PhD in Environmental and Occupational Health
• Master of Public Health
• PhD in Public Health with a Concentration in Community and Behavioral Health Promotion

Contents

• Graduate Faculty and Scientists
• Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental and Occupational Health
• Courses—Environmental and Occupational Health
• Courses—Public Health

Overview

Video Feature:

Lori Arenhoerster

Doctoral student  in the new Zilber School of Public Health at UWM.

The program in Environmental and Occupational Health offers graduate study leading to the doctoral degree. Program tracks include Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Safety, and Ecosystems, Cities, and Health. The faculty for this program are drawn from a number of departments and research units at UWM, affording the student an unparalleled opportunity for cross-disciplinary training and the performance of novel research projects. Laboratories and equipment are available across campus to promote innovative concepts in issues of environmental and occupational health.

When applying for admission, students should describe their interest in the field and any research preferences. Applicants are encouraged to review the research interests of the faculty and contact those faculty who are of interest.

Program Faculty and Scientists

(Home departments of the program faculty appear in parentheses)

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Distinguished Professors

Garg, Arun, Ph.D., University of Michigan (Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering)

Petering, David H., Ph.D., University of Michigan (Chemistry and Biochemistry)

Professors

Dellinger, John, Ph.D., University of Illinois (Health Sciences)

Eells, Janis, Ph.D., University of Iowa (Health Sciences)

Heathcote, David R., Ph.D., University of California-Berkeley (Biological Sciences)

Hutz, Reinhold J., Ph.D., Michigan State University (Biological Sciences)

Phyllis King, Ph.D. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Occupational Therapy)

Smith, Roger, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison (Occupational Therapy)

Snyder, Ann, Ph.D. Purdue University (Human Movement Sciences)

Tonellato, Peter, Ph.D., University of Arizona (Public Health)

Associate Professors

Bartholomew, Karla, Ph.D., JD, MPH, PA, Vanderbilt University (Public Health)

DeSousa, Christopher A., Ph.D. University of Toronto, Canada (Geography)

Carvan, Michael, Ph.D., Texas A&M University (Freshwater Sciences)

Hewitt, Jeanne B., Ph.D., University of Illinois-Chicago (Nursing)

Kalkbrenner, Amy, Ph.D., MPH, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Public Health)

Klaper, Rebecca, Ph.D., University of Georgia (Freshwater Sciences)

Laiosa, Michael, Ph.D., State University of New York, Upstate Medical University (Public Health)

McLellan, Sandra, Ph.D., University of Cincinnati (Freshwater Sciences)

Miller, Todd, Ph.D., University of Maryland (Public Health)

Svoboda, Kurt, Ph.D., State University of New York at Stony Brook (Public Health)

Senior Scientist

Weber, Daniel, Ph.D, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Freshwater Sciences)

Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental and Occupational Health

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Admission

Applicants must meet Graduate School requirements plus the following program requirements to be considered for admission:

1. A baccalaureate degree in a science discipline, including at least four laboratory courses and one statistics course.
2. Submission of scores on the General Test portion of the Graduate Record Examination; test taken within last five years.
3. Submission of at least three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant's scholarship, research achievements and potential.

For students entering with an advanced degree, credit may be given for relevant coursework at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.

Major Professor as Advisor

The student must have a major professor to advise and supervise the student's studies as specified in Graduate School regulations. The entering student is assigned a temporary advisor; a permanent advisor must be selected by the end of the first year of study. The major professor serves as the student's research mentor and guides the student in an individual course of study and research design.

Course of Study

The Ph.D. in Environmental and Occupational Health requires 60 credits beyond the Bachelor's degree. Coursework includes core courses as outlined below (20 credits), at least 12 credits of electives taken from the approved list or approved by the student's advisor, and the remaining credits taken as research. As mentioned above, credit for relevant coursework at other institutions may be applied against this total. Initially the student's advisor will approve course of study; this task will be performed by the student's doctoral advisory committee after it is formed.

Core Courses (20 credits)

PH 801 Seminar in Public Health Research (3 credits)

PH 819 Social and Environmental Justice in Public Health (3 credits)

EOH 821 Advanced Survey of Environmental Health (3 credits)

EOH 822 Molecular and Cellular Basis of Environmental Disease (3 credits)

PH 841 Epidemiology (3 credits) OR MCW EPI 11272 Environmental Epidemiology

PH 842 Biostatistics (3 credits) OR MCW BIOST 04200 Biostatistics I

EOH 939 Seminar in Environmental and Occupational Health (1 credit); two semesters required

Electives

Electives are divided into three categories (molecular, organismal, population/environment). It is recommended that the student take courses in each category in order to obtain a comprehensive and integrated knowledge of the area of interest. At least 12 credits of electives must be completed that compose a coherent plan of study and provide a strong foundation in the student's area of research. See the EOH PhD Graduate Student Handbook for a list of approved electives.

Residence

The student must complete at least 30 credits required for the PhD in residence at UWM in doctoral status. In addition, the student must complete at least 8 graduate credits in each of two consecutive semesters, or 6 or more graduate credits in each of three consecutive semesters, exclusive of summer sessions.

PhD Advisory Committee

The student, in consultation with the Major Professor, will select four additional members to form a PhD Advisory Committee. A minimum of three committee members must be EOH program faculty. See the Graduate School Doctoral Requirements page for more information on the doctoral committee.

Doctoral Preliminary Examination

The purpose of the doctoral preliminary examination is to assess the student's preparation for independent research. The student must pass the preliminary examination within five years of initial enrollment to continue in the program.

Dissertator Status

Specific requirements which must be completed before a doctoral student qualifies for dissertator status are described on the Graduate School Doctoral Requirements page.

Dissertation

Students must prepare and successfully defend a dissertation reporting the results of their research. The original research findings embodied in this dissertation should be acceptable for publication in refereed journals.

Time Limit

The student must complete all requirements for the degree within 10 years of the date of initial enrollment in the program.

Courses

There are other courses under development in addition to those that appear below. The full complement of courses will be available soon.

Environmental and Occupational Health

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Courses numbered 300-699 are Undergraduate/Graduate. Courses numbered 700 and above are Graduate only.

821 Advanced Survey of Environmental Health. 3 cr. G.

The role of environmental factors in determining human health, and human processes that degrade this interaction. Prereq: grad st

822 Molecular & Cellular Basis of Environmental Disease. 3 cr. G.

Examines how environmental agents cause changes in gene expression, structure, and activity leading to human disease; and resulting alterations in normal cellular processes and physiological consequences. Prereq: grad st

840 Special Topics in Environmental and Occupational Health. (Subtitled). 1-4 cr. G.

Topics of current interest in the field of environmental and occupational health. Specific topics and any additional prerequisites announced in the Schedule of Classes each time course is offered. May be repeated w/ chg in topic to 9 cr max. Prereq: grad st.

939 Seminar in Environmental and Occupational Health. 1 cr. G.

Presentation of topics of current interest in environmental and occupational health. May be repeated to 4 cr max. Prereq: grad st

940 Research in Environmental and Occupational Health. 1-6 cr. G.

Research under supervision of mentor Prereq: grad st; cons instr

990 Research and Dissertation. 1-8 cr. G.

Original research in the field of environmental and occupational health Prereq: grad st.

999 Independent Study. 1-3 cr. G.

Independent study on a topic not available as a regular course, directed by a member of the graduate faculty. Prereq: grad st; cons instr.

Public Health

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Courses numbered 300-699 are Undergraduate/Graduate. Courses numbered 700 and above are Graduate only.

701 Public Health Principles and Practice. 3 cr. G.

Examination of fundamental principles designed to improve the health of the public, public health theories, domains, and practices.

702 Introduction to Biostatistics. 3 cr. G.

Development and application of statistical reasoning and methods in addressing, analyzing and solving problems in public health. Prereq: grad st

703 Environmental Health Sciences. 3 cr. G.

Survey of effects environment has on humans, and effects humans have on environment, emphasis on toxicology and infectious disease. Prereq: grad st

704 Principles and Methods of Epidemiology. 3 cr. G.

Description and comparison of the health status of populations and assessment of the underlying determinants of risk factors for disease, injury, and death. Prereq: grad st; PH 702(P) or cons instr

705 Principles of Public Health Policy and Administration. 3 cr. G.

Description of delivery, quality and costs of health care for populations; assessment of structure, process and outcomes of population-based health policies and services. Prereq: grad st

706 Perspectives on Community & Behavioral Health. 3 cr. G.

Philosophical underpinnings, conceptual frameworks, and strategies for the application of behavioral and social science concepts to the goals of public health.Prereq: grad st

707 Introduction to Statistical Computing. 1 cr. G.

Introduction to statistical methods as implemented in SAS, including macros and core statistical analysis functions Prereq: grad st; PH 702(C) or cons instr

709 (effective 09/03/2013) Public Health Informatics. 3 cr. G.

Overview of the rapidly emerging and evolving field of public health informatics - active learning and exposure to new and relevant public health informatics methods, applications, and tools. Prereq: grad st

725 (effective 09/03/2013) Theories and Models of Health Behavior. 3 cr. G.

Examine theories of health behavior targeted to each level of the social ecological model, including historical and public health context. Assess utility of these theories in various domains. Prereq: grad st

726 Community Health Assessment. 3 cr. G.

Introduction to the concepts and techniques of community health assessment; conducting and critically analyzing community assessments. Prereq: grad st; PH 701(P) or cons instr

727 Program Planning & Implementation in Public Health. 3 cr. G.

Systematic approach to planning and implementing public health programs, examining program monitoring, methods of impact assessment, and measuring efficiency. Prereq: grad st

728 Program Evaluation in Public Health. 3 cr. G.

Students design and present research and evaluation plans, receive guidance on developing conceptual frameworks and hypotheses, collecting and analyzing data, and developing program evaluation plans. Prereq: grad st

729 (effective 09/03/2013) Survey Research Methods in Public Health. 3 cr. G.

The application of survey methods with emphases on sampling, survey design and planning, and data collection procedures. Prereq: grad st

732 Youth Mental Health Practice for Non Mental Health Professionals. 3 cr. G.

Examination of mental health principles and practices from a public health professional's perspective, including ethical guidelines, necessary interpersonal skills, and mental health screenings and referrals to services. Prereq: grad st

740 Special Topics in Public Health: (Subtitled). 3 cr. G.

Topics of current interest in public health. May be repeated w/ chg in topic to 9 cr max. Prereq: grad st.

745 Developmental Toxicology. 3 cr. G.

An introduction to the field of developmental toxicology and how environmental contaminants influence vertebrate development, including humans. Prereq: grad st.

750 Seminar in Environmental Health Sciences. (Subtitled). 1-3 cr. G.

Survey of an area in environmental health. Specific credits and add'l prereqs announced in Schedule of Classes each time course offered. Retakable w/chg in topic to 9 cr max.

762 Environmental Epidemiology. 3 cr. G.

Expands upon basic epidemiological principles to tackle current problems in studies of health impacts of contaminants in air, water, food supply, consumer products, and indoor spaces, emphasizing a cross-disciplinary approach. Prereq: grad st; PH 703(P) and PH 704(P) or cons instr.

775 Mechanisms of Infectious Disease. 2 cr. G.

Molecular and cellular means by which microorganisms facilitate infection, withstand or evade immune response, induce damage to host, and ensure transmission to human populations. C L Sci 775 & PH 775 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: grad st; lc & la course in medical microbiology

790 Field Experience in Public Health. 1-6 cr. G.

Apply skills learned in the classroom to real world public health problems in a mentored field placement, engaging both faculty and site preceptors. Prereq: grad st; PH 701(P), PH 702(P), PH 703(P), PH 704(P), PH 705(P), PH 706(P), and PH 707(P) or cons instr

801 Seminar in Public Health Research. 3 cr. G.

Immersion in interdisciplinary collaborative approaches to public health research. Prereq: grad st; 1 course in stats/biostats and 1 course in research methods; or cons instr.

810 Biostatistics II. 3 cr. G.

Introduction to modern multivariable statistical analysis, based on generalized linear models. Topics include linear regression, logistic regression, one-way and two-way ANOVA, longitudinal analysis, missing data, and mixed models. Prereq: grad st; PH 702(P) or cons instr

819 Social and Environmental Justice in Public Health. 3 cr. G.

Social and environmental justice perspective on public health problems and concerns. Jointly offered w/ & counts as a repeat of Soc Wrk 819. Prereq: grad st

820 (effective 09/03/2013) Maternal and Child Health Foundations, Policy and Practice. 3 cr. G.

The foundations of MCH, historical context, financing, challenges, and opportunities in advancing MCH at state, national and international level including the integration of men. Prereq: grad st; PH 702(P), 704(P) or cons instr

825 Social and Behavioral Science in Public Health. 3 cr. G.

Overview of the contribution and use of social and behavioral sciences approaches in public health research, policy, planning/evaluation, practice, and interventions. Prereq: grad st

990 Research and Dissertation. 1-8 cr. G.

Original research in any public health discipline Prereq: grad st.

999 Independent Study. 1-3 cr. G.

Independent study on a topic not available as a regular course, directed by a member of the graduate faculty. Prereq: grad st; cons instr.