Department of Environmental Health and Engineering

About

Our objective is to develop solutions to key challenges in local, national, and global environmental health, from the molecular to population-wide impacts. This is accomplished by investigating sources and distributions of exposures, mechanisms of action, biomarkers of exposure and biological effects, individual and population-based responses, and susceptibility factors—all at the individual (molecular, cellular, organ, whole-body) and societal levels. In addition, environmental risks are assessed, and we devise and evaluate both prevention and intervention strategies. 

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.

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:

1. Review the JHSPH Student Travel Handbook and student-related information on the JHU International Travel site.
2. 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.
3. Register any travels with the JHU International Travel Registry.
4. 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.