About
The Department of Environmental Health and Engineering (EHE) is a collaborative hybrid uniquely designed to lead pioneering research and fuel technology translation as it prepares the next generation of scholars to solve critical and complex issues at the interface of public health and engineering.
EHE’s mission is to improve the health of the Earth and its inhabitants. EHE’s academic and research activities span the science of biological processes, environmental engineering, environmental and health policy, and data analytics. With its accomplished faculty and visionary students, EHE is poised to use its broad and deep expertise to propel discovery and innovation, as well as to inspire and educate scholars of the 21st century and beyond.
Our broad, multidisciplinary approach creates a collaborative and supportive learning atmosphere for students with diverse backgrounds and interests while assisting them in developing lifetime careers in environmental and public health research and practice. Our graduates work in academic research institutions, health agencies, health departments, and private industry organizations that are leaders in environmental and occupational health in the U.S. and in many countries around the world.
These areas offer students many opportunities for course selection, research, and training in a setting that enables students to pursue a wide range of environmental health science interests. Our relationships with the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, the Whiting School of Engineering, and the School of Nursing ensure that our research can be rapidly translated into prevention strategies. In addition, our Department houses a number of centers including the Education and Research Center for Occupational Safety and Health, the Center for a Livable Future (CLF), the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), the Center for Health Security, and the Center for Public Health Preparedness enhancing our unique academic environment.
Policies
Students are expected to adhere to the schoolwide policies on academics, research, and student life in addition to departmental policies. Students who fail to follow or meet the established policies may be subject to dismissal.
SIS Account
Students are responsible for monitoring their SIS account on a monthly basis so that problems may be resolved in a timely manner. The Department may deposit funds for tuition and certain fees into accounts, but the student is responsible for charges related to expenses that are not covered by the Department. These charges include late registration fees, even when the Department pays for tuition costs. More information can be found on the Student Accounts website.
Course Registration
It is the student’s responsibility to register for courses during the appropriate time periods specified by the Office of Records and Registration (and available on the academic calendar). Students are expected to discuss course plans with their adviser before registration and confirm registration details with their adviser every term. Regardless of funding sources such as grants, stipends, etc., students are responsible for any applicable fees if they do not register properly.
Course Waivers
Waiver requests will be considered when a student has taken a similar, graduate-level course(s), with a passing grade, in another division of JHU or another university. A waiver will not be granted for courses in which the student received less than a B or did not receive a letter grade. Please note that approval of a waiver does not reduce the total number of credits a student is required to earn to meet graduation requirements.
Students must complete the course waiver request form and include documentation (i.e., transcript and syllabus) to support the request. Waivers and substitutions are only approved by the student matters subcommittee, not the adviser. The academic coordinator will notify the student of the outcome.
International Travel
Graduate students at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health may have an opportunity to supplement their education or conduct research in another country. These opportunities often enrich the academic curriculum, contribute to dissertation research, and allow students to apply the knowledge they obtain in the classroom to the world’s communities. While the School encourages participation in these kinds of experiences, international tensions can be high and the resources on the international travel website are provided to assist students in making an informed decision.
Students are not obligated to travel internationally, and each student has the right to decline to travel abroad. If the student is supported by a research project that requires such travel and the student chooses not to travel, the student may be removed from that project following discussions with the principal investigator and the EHE program or track directors.
Graduate students who decide to travel abroad must demonstrate that they understand and voluntarily accept the risks inherent in international travel. To do so, students must first receive the appropriate departmental approvals for the trip through their adviser and program or track director(s). Once approved, students must complete the following steps:
- Review the JHSPH Student Travel Handbook and student-related information on the JHU International Travel site.
- Consult the Department of State. Information on U.S. embassies, travel advisories, and the availability of transportation should the situation in a country deteriorate may be found on this site.
- Register your travels with the JHU International Travel Registry.
- Complete the International Travel Checklist and Graduate Student Study Release form. Submit both documents to the academic coordinator at least one week in advance of your proposed travel date.
When traveling in an area where regular communication is difficult, students are encouraged to maintain contact with their adviser and/or the academic coordinator.