Environmental Health, MHS

MHS in Environmental Health

The Master of Health Science provides a firm academic foundation in the field of environmental health.

The program primarily targets individuals holding a bachelor’s degree who see a place for environmental health in their future academic or career goals. In addition to coursework, MHS students prepare an essay addressing an environmental health problem and make a formal presentation on the topic to an audience of faculty and students.

Some graduates pursue doctoral degrees in public health, medicine, and law, while others head to governmental agencies, NGOs, and the private sector. The program may also accommodate the educational needs of those already working in these sectors who want to develop a stronger knowledge base in environmental health.

Bachelor's/Master of Health Science

The Bachelor's/Master of Health Science is designed exclusively for undergraduate students currently enrolled at John Hopkins University (JHU). 

JHU undergraduate students have the unique opportunity to seek early admission to the Master of Health Science (MHS) degree. The combined Bachelor's/Master of Health Science program prepares students for careers in the private sector, government, and non-profit organizations. Many graduates go on to pursue doctoral degrees in medicine or public health. Up to one-half of the public health credits earned inter-divisionally toward their bachelor's may also apply toward their MHS degree. Students in this program will receive co-advising from both schools to optimize their academic experience. 

Program Requirements

This attendance, along with monthly check-ins with advisers, and meeting deadlines for the essay, forms the basis of the grade for special studies courses in terms 2-4 (181.845 MHS Special Studies & Research in term 2 and 181.850 MHS Essay in terms 3 and 4). Students who do not successfully complete the requirements for all three terms for these special studies courses face dismissal from the program.

AREAS OF INTEREST

Students may choose an area of interest from the following options, or they may develop their own path in consultation with their adviser. The area of interest does not appear on a student's transcript or diploma; rather it simply helps students choose classes in line with their personal educational goals.

The Food Systems, Water, and Environmental Sustainability area of interest provides a deeper understanding of changes in the global environment and how their consequences affect human health at the individual and population levels. Graduates understand the environmental health implications of a rapidly increasing global population, at a time of diminishing food and fuel resources, and a changing climate. This is ideal for students with a strong background in environmental science and sustainability. A subset of courses are taught by faculty from the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future and informed by the Center’s two decades of scholarship and advocacy on food systems and sustainability.

Coursework and seminars expose students to a range of sustainability topics: food production, security and systems; energy source impacts on public health; water supply and reuse; policy and health impacts of climate change, urban sprawl, and the green movement. Students critically analyze the complex interactions of global environmental problems, such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, ecosystem degradation and the depletion of other global resources, all in the context of their impact on health. These students often pursue the Food System, Environment and Public Health Certificate.

The Health Security area of interest provides an understanding of domestic and international health threats, including epidemics, natural disasters, technological accidents, and intentional attacks. Students examine major organizations and initiatives designed to prevent, detect, and respond to health security threats; assess the current status of health security preparedness, and evaluate strategies to enhance health security.

The area of interest is designed for individuals who would like careers in public health and healthcare preparedness, global health security, outbreak and epidemic management, disaster response, and related fields. A subset of courses are taught by faculty from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and informed by the Center’s two decades of scholarship and advocacy on health security policy.

The Population Environmental Health area of interest presents a population view of environmental health with courses in epidemiology, statistics, and environmental health principles. Through coursework and optional direct participation, students develop an understanding of the problems that affect subsets of the population, as well as challenges faced in their solution. Students master the use of statistical approaches to public health and develop skills in epidemiologic research. Individuals interested in applying environmental health sciences in a community or clinical setting benefit from this focus. The Risk Sciences and Public Policy Certificate is often completed concurrently. This is ideal for students with a good basic science and quantitative foundation.

The Pre-Medicine area of interest provides a foundation for students planning to attend medical school. Core courses lead to basic mastery of statistics as well as an understanding of epidemiology. Elective courses in physiology, advanced toxicology, and environmental and occupational disease not only emphasize knowledge covered on the MCAT, but they also differentiate graduates from the typical medical school applicant. Electives in biochemistry and molecular biology, among others, may help improve the biology, chemistry, physics, math GPA that some med schools emphasize in their application review. The Director of EHE’s Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency program works alongside students and their academic adviser to help prepare students in whatever way they need for medical school. Ideal candidates possess a strong foundation in the basic sciences and math.

Toxicology for Human Risk Assessment emphasizes laboratory and basic science approaches to the study of environmental agents that affect health. Building upon the required introductory course in toxicology, additional courses cover advanced toxicology, environment-related disease, and laboratory-based statistics. Through lectures, discussion and class assignments, students develop a solid understanding of the ways in which environmental exposures can translate into health risks, as well as ways these risks can be evaluated and mitigated. Many students also complete requirements for the Risk Sciences and Public Policy Certificate. Ideal candidates possess a strong background in the basic sciences, including biology and chemistry.

COURSEWORK

Students complete a core curriculum that comprises less than 40 of the 64 credits required for graduation. Required core courses include environmental health, toxicology, epidemiology, risk sciences, and statistics. Students have flexibility to customize the remaining elective credits of their curriculum to their area of interest to achieve an appropriate balance between depth and breadth.

Students should consult the student resources page, which lists all core requirements as well as electives in the department and get formal approval from their faculty adviser prior to registration. There are several options ranging from introductory to advanced; choosing between them involves a discussion of student goals, background in these areas, schedule, and area of interest. 

To substitute a course with something not listed, approval must be granted by the program director. Students may also consider earning certificates while earning the MHS. Discuss with your adviser options for meeting the biostatistics and epidemiology course requirements.

REQUIRED COURSES

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.550.860	Academic & Research Ethics at BSPH	0
PH.180.609	Principles of Environmental Health	4
PH.180.610	Applied Environmental Health Practice	4
PH.187.610	Public Health Toxicology	4
PH.317.600	Introduction to the Risk Sciences and Public Policy	4
PH.552.601	Foundational Principles of Public Health	0.5
PH.552.603	The Role of Qualitative Methods and Science in Describing and Assessing a Population's Health	0.5
PH.181.845	MHS Special Studies & Research	varies
PH.181.850	MHS Essay	1
Biostatistics		varies
Epidemiology		varies
Electives

ELECTIVES

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
PH.180.611	The Global Environment, Climate Change, and Public Health	4
PH.180.634	Public Health Emergencies: Risk Communication and Decision Science	3
PH.188.680	Fundamentals of Occupational Health	3
PH.188.694	Health of Vulnerable Worker Populations	3
PH.317.610	Risk Policy, Management and Communication	3
PH.180.620	Introduction to Food Systems and Public Health	4
PH.180.621	Protecting the Environment and Safeguarding Worker Health: A Problem-Based Approach	3
PH.120.601	Biochemistry II: Major Metabolic Pathways	5
PH.180.647	The Health Effects of Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollution	3
PH.180.644	Food System Resilience	2
PH.187.632	Molecular Toxicology	4
PH.188.688	Global Sustainability & Health Seminar	1
PH.183.631	Fundamentals of Human Physiology	4
PH.187.640	Toxicology 21: Scientific Foundations	1
PH.180.602	Environment and Health in Low and Middle income Countries	2
PH.182.623	Occupational Health Management	3
PH.180.623	Infectious Disease Threats to Global Health Security	3
PH.180.624	Biotechnology and Health Security	3
PH.182.640	Food- and Water- Borne Diseases	3
PH.180.655	Baltimore Food Systems: A Case Study of Urban Food Environments	4
PH.180.625	Community-Driven Epidemiology and Environmental Justice	3
PH.180.651	Energy, Environment, and Public Health	2
PH.182.626	Water and Sanitation in Low-Income Communities	2
PH.180.640	Molecular Epidemiology and Biomarkers in Public Health	4
PH.182.637	Noise and Other Physical Agents in the Environment	4
PH.317.605	Methods in Quantitative Risk Assessment	4
PH.182.613	Exposure Assessment Techniques for Health Risk Management	3
PH.183.638	Mechanisms of Cardiopulmonary Control	2
PH.340.607	Introduction to Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology	4
PH.340.701	Epidemiologic Applications of Gis	2
PH.187.645	Toxicology 21: Scientific Applications	3
EN.575.711	Climate Change and Global Environmental Sustainability	3
PH.317.610	Risk Policy, Management and Communication	3
PH.180.606	Case Studies in Food Production and Public Health	3
PH.180.653	Climate Change: Avoiding Conflict and Improving Public Health	3
PH.188.682	A Built Environment for A Healthy and Sustainable Future	3
PH.180.628	Introduction To Environmental and Occupational Health Law	4
PH.182.638	Environmental and Health Concerns in Water Use and Reuse	4
PH.187.625	Animals in Research: Law, Policy, and Humane Sciences	3
PH.180.627	Lessons Learned in 1918 Pandemic Flu	1
PH.180.630	Chemical and Biological Weapons Threats: Science, Public Health, Policy	4
PH.180.633	The Sociocultural Dimensions of Disasters	3
PH.180.636	Human Rights and Health Seminar	3
PH.185.600	One Health Tools to Promote and Evaluate Healthy and Sustainable Communities	3
PH.180.670	Introduction to Public Health Emergency Preparedness	3
PH.317.615	Topics in Risk Assessment	2
PH.120.604	Introduction to Molecular Biology	3
PH.180.632	Introduction to Molecular Toxicology	3
PH.187.661	Environmental Health in Neurological and Mental Disorders	3
PH.187.650	Alternative Methods in Animal Testing	3
PH.187.655	Evidence-Based Toxicology	3
PH.183.642	The Cardiopulmonary System Under Stress	2
PH.340.651	Emerging Infections	2
PH.340.680	Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology	4
PH.552.626	Systems Thinking: Concepts and Methods	0.5
PH.120.610	Biochemistry I: Protein Structure and Enzyme Catalysis	3
PH.120.624	Cancer Biology	3
PH.120.625	Introduction to Cancer Biology	3
PH.180.626	Environmental Justice and Public Health Practice	3
PH.180.635	Seafood and Public Health: Global Trade, Nutrition and the Environment	3
PH.188.686	Clinical Environmental and Occupational Toxicology	3
PH.188.682	A Built Environment for A Healthy and Sustainable Future	3
PH.180.607	Climate Change and Public Health	3
PH.180.627	Lessons Learned in 1918 Pandemic Flu	1
PH.187.633	Introduction to Environmental Genomics and Epigenomics	3

PART-TIME PROGRAM

ESSAY AND PRESENTATION

RESEARCH

Human Subjects

The Johns Hopkins University is committed to protecting the rights and welfare of all individuals participating as subjects in research. To meet this obligation, the Bloomberg School has two on- site Institutional Review Boards and an external IRB (the Western IRB) that review studies on the School’s behalf. All faculty and students who are involved in human subject research must meet the compliance training requirements of the Bloomberg School IRB. It is the responsibility of students and faculty to make certain that approval is obtained from the IRB before beginning any research involving human subjects. The IRB is also responsible for determining whether certain research activities qualify for exempt status under the regulations and institution policy.

For IRB announcements and updates, and for additional information and requirements on conducting human research, please contact either the:

• Bloomberg School’s IRB Office, Room E1100, Wolfe Street Building (410-955-3193); email at jhsph.irboffice@jhu.edu or Homewood IRB Office
• Homewood IRB Office (410-516-4820); email at levans22@jhu.edu; https://homewoodirb.jhu.edu/ participants/

Animal Research

The Johns Hopkins University is committed to protecting the rights and welfare of animals used in research. All students involved in animal research must first complete an online training module, Animal Care and Use, available through myLearning in the JHU Portal, before beginning work with animals. Additional training may also be required. Students must also be listed as student investigators on projects they are working on that involve animals.

The care and use of animal subjects are regulated by the Animal Welfare Act, which is implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The University has one assurance with the federal government (the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare [OLAW]) and, therefore, the University has one animal care and use committee (IACUC). Faculty from the Bloomberg School, the School of Medicine, and the Homewood campus serve on this committee. An approved protocol MUST be obtained before animals can be purchased. Questions regarding submission of animal research protocols should be addressed to the IACUC Office at 443-287- 3738. Animal care and procurement are under the purview of Johns Hopkins Research Animal Resources.

For those exposed to animals either directly or indirectly, their bedding, waste products, fresh animal tissues, or equipment involved in animal use and care, Johns Hopkins requires the following to reduce health risks associated with animal exposures. You may view the full animal research policy here.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The fundamental purpose of the Johns Hopkins University’s (the University or JHU) regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically.

Allegations of sexual misconduct are covered by JHU’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures for faculty, staff, and students. The University encourages individuals to report incidents of sexual misconduct and provides a variety of avenues, both formal and informal, by which individuals can report complaints of sexual harassment. Allegations of sexual harassment by students are covered under the JHU program and under the Student Conduct Code.

Personal Relationships

The Johns Hopkins University is committed to the personal, academic, and professional well-being and development of its students, trainees, faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows, clinical residents, and all other members of the University community. The University seeks to maintain an atmosphere of mutual respect, collegiality, fairness, and trust. The Personal Relationships Policy implements the University’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of its educational and working environment. This policy focuses on the conflict of interest that may exist when individuals simultaneously engage in both personal and professional relationships in which one individual has the potential to exert substantial academic or professional influence over the other.

ETHICS POLICIES

All members of the Johns Hopkins community are responsible for immediately informing the Academic Ethics Board of the Bloomberg School of Public Health of any suspected violations of its Constitution. The Ethics Board, composed of six students and four faculty members, is responsible for implementing its Constitution according to the procedures set forth therein. This includes formal hearings of suspected violations.

Allegations of fraud in research by students will be handled and resolved according to the policies and procedures specified in Faculty PPM 7 – Research Misconduct. Penalties for students who are found responsible for engaging in fraud in research under Faculty PPM 7 may be selected from among the penalties specified in the Student Academic Ethics Code (Student PPM 1) as appropriate.

Allegations of violations of academic integrity by students in the School are covered under the policies and procedures contained in PPM for Students - 1 (Academic Ethics) and the School’s Academic Ethics Code. Allegations of unsatisfactory performance or unacceptable behavior by faculty are covered by PPM Faculty - 8 (Procedure for Handling Allegations of Unsatisfactory Performance or Unacceptable Behavior), and allegations of fraud or misconduct during the conduct of research by faculty are covered by PPM Faculty - 7 (Fraud in Research).

Allegations of misconduct by staff are covered by policies and procedures established by the University Office of Human Resources as stated in the Personnel Policy Manual. (This information is taken from the School’s POLICY AND PROCEDURE MEMORANDUM STUDENTS – 1, SUBJECT: Academic Ethics).

GRADE REQUIREMENTS

Cumulative GPA

The School requires master’s students to maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative grade point average. Students with a GPA falling below 2.75 will be placed on academic warning and will have one term of registration in which to raise their GPA above the threshold for their degree. The academic coordinator will notify students placed on academic warning and their performance will be reviewed by the Educational Programs Committee (EPC).

All recommendations about academic standing will be then presented to the Department’s Executive Committee for final disposition. Students not meeting the minimum GPA after one term may be granted additional term(s) on academic warning if academic progress has been shown in the cumulative GPA; that approval beyond one term must be reported to the School’s Committee on Academic Standards. Students on academic warning must meet with their academic adviser and program director (or academic coordinator) each term to review their academic plan and receive approval for their course schedule prior to registering for courses. Students with a cumulative GPA below the minimum may not register for more than 18 credits per term. Any repeated courses count towards this 18-credit limit.

Grades in Core Courses

Students must earn a minimum grade on a set of required program-specific core courses: Pass for courses offered only on a pass/fail basis and a grade of C or higher for master’s students for courses offered for letter grading. A student who earns a grade below that threshold in a course that meets a core requirement must, at the next opportunity, make a second attempt to complete the core course by repeating the same course or by completing another course that has been approved by the program director. A grade below the threshold on the second attempt may be grounds for dismissal and must be reported to the School’s Committee on Academic Standards.

Credit Transfer

A limited number of course credits taken at Johns Hopkins prior to matriculation into the MHS or ScM Program (e.g., up to 16 as a special student) can be applied toward the 64 total credits, provided the courses were completed not more than 5 years prior to the date of matriculation into the Master’s Program. Students must have earned a grade of B or higher in courses to fulfill a program requirement; grades of C may only be transferred towards elective credits.

Bachelors/Masters students in the public health studies major must fulfill the requirement for 15 credits of coursework taken at BSPH while a senior. Up to one-half, but no more than 16, of the BSPH credits taken as a public health studies undergraduate student may be applied to the MHS program.

Course Waivers

Waivers and substitutions for students are only approved by the student matters subcommittee, not the adviser. The Senior Academic Program Coordinator will notify the student of the outcome, and a copy of the form will be kept in the students’ academic file.

In some exceptional circumstances, students may be granted a modification of some core requirements if they can demonstrate and document that they have previously acquired the associated core competencies. Even if a modification is granted of a core course, a minimum of 64 credits are still required for graduation.

See below for more information on subject, modifications, and requirements contacts.

MHS to ScM Transfer Process

The Department asks MHS students interested in transferring to the ScM to formally apply at the start of term 2. Identification of an appropriate and willing adviser serves as an essential step in the process, which the student should initiate as early as possible, preferably while an applicant to the MHS program. A list of faculty who commonly accept ScM students can be found here.

By the middle of term 2, MHS students submit an ScM transfer request form. The form includes a brief explanation of how the ScM research opportunity fits with the student’s educational and research goals. It must be signed by the current MHS adviser. In addition, the proposed research faculty needs to provide a letter of willingness to assume the role and responsibilities of ScM thesis adviser (this person may or may not be the current MHS adviser). A transcript of grades (obtained by the academic team) completes the file for review. Students must demonstrate excellent academic success at the graduate level (minimum GPA of 3.0).

A sub-group of the ScM research faculty will review the file to confirm that the requirements have been met and based on that input, the program director will approve or disapprove of the request for degree transfer. The academic team will inform the Office of Records and Registration of the degree transfer and adviser change (if appropriate) to be effective term 3. Following approval, MHS-to- ScM students shift from drafting an essay to drafting a proposal. In the third term, the transfer from MHS to ScM is finalized and students begin taking the 183.840 ScM Special Studies & Research instead of the MHS Special Studies course.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

If it becomes necessary to take a break from studies, students should contact their adviser and academic program manager to determine if a formal leave of absence (LOA) is necessary. Any request for change of status must be discussed with the program or track director(s) and academic program manager and approved by the department and school. For more information, please see the University Policy.

parental accommodations

Please see the university page on parental accommodations for full-time graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.

TRAVEL RESOURCES

While BSPH encourages participation in opportunities to supplement your education or research in other countries, international tensions can be high and the resources on the U.S. International Travel website may assist you 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). Students should also evaluate options for registering travel and obtaining pre-travel immunizations through the school or health care system.

Immunizations

If you are traveling to a less-developed part of the world, you should be certain to contact your health care provider or the Johns Hopkins International Travel clinic to learn about recommended immunizations and other matters to guard your health. Located on the East Baltimore campus, you can reach the International Travel Clinic by telephone at 410-955-8931.

Stay Informed

Students are encouraged to vigilantly monitor consular and press reports regarding the country (or countries) where they plan to travel. Students may also check the consular reports of countries friendly to the U.S. (e.g. Australia, Canada, United Kingdom) as well as reports from other international agencies (e.g. United Nations). Students should participate in the security briefings offered by other organizations with whom they may be working.

Maintain Communication

When traveling in an area where regular communication is difficult, students are encouraged to maintain contact with their advisor and/or the academic program manager.

State Department Registration

For students who are likely to stay for a prolonged period in a high-risk area of the world, registration at the U.S. embassy or consulate is essential.

International Students

OIS may be contacted at 410-955-3371. International students must contact the Office of International Services (OIS) well in advance of any travel to avoid compliance issues with their visa status.

Healix International

Johns Hopkins has implemented a comprehensive travel assistance program supported by Healix International. For more information visit the International Travel for the University & Health System page.

SELECTING CLASSES

STATISTICS

The program requires two terms of statistics. Based on focus area, we typically recommend:

• FSWES, PM, THRA - two-terms of the Statistical Reasoning (140.611-12) sequence
• HS – two terms Statistical Methods (140.621-22)
• PEH - three-terms of the Statistical Methods sequence (140.621-23)

However, this varies according to an individual’s background. Talk with your adviser and consider:

• Students seeking strong quantitative skills that include programming in R or STATA, who have a solid background in statistics, might want to take the most rigorous course series, Statistical Methods I, II, and III (140.621- 22) in 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd terms.
• Students who did not do well in college math might want to take the most basic course series, Statistics for Laboratory Scientists I and II (140.615.01-02) in 3rd & 4th terms.
• Those who fall in the middle (the majority of our master’s students) should consider the Statistical Reasoning series (140.611-12).

EPIDEMIOLOGY

The department requires at least one epidemiology course. Below is what we recommend:

• FSWES, PM & THRA - Epidemiologic Inference in Public Health I & II (340.721-22) in terms 1-2 or online in terms 3-4
• HS & PEH – four terms of epidemiology, modified somewhat to meet their career needs. For most, this begins with Epidemiologic Inference in Public Health I & II.

Students with an epidemiology foundation or a strong drive to do epidemiology can enroll in the Epidemiological Methods I-III (340.751-53), which is coordinated with the Statistical Methods I-III sequence. Professional Epidemiological Methods (340.763) may be taken in Term 3 as an alternative to Epidemiological Methods III. All PEH students should take Environmental & Occupational Epidemiology (340.680) in the 4th term.

PRE-MEDICINE STUDENTS

BSPH contracts with Kaplan to offer our students a significant discount on MCAT preparation courses. Interested students register through the registration system: BSPH Solutions or directly at the MCAT site. An email is sent to the Department to verify that the student is active, and the Kaplan Code is correct with the date. The Department approves registration. MCAT registration then goes to Academic Affairs and registration is shared with Kaplan and Student Accounts for payment.

Additionally, premedical students might consider taking Premedical Seminars: Planning and Preparing for Medical School Application (120.607) in terms 1, 2, 3, or 4, which supports students in putting together a strong application to medical schools. Topics include assessing the portfolio and identifying areas that need strengthening, how to best plan for the MCAT, which courses to take, writing a strong personal statement, identifying proper activities for the list of 15 experiences and much more.

Additionally, Aspiring Physicians Enacting Change Through Community Engagement (1 credit, 120.609 in term 1 and 120.611 in terms 2-4; 120.609 is a prerequisite for 120.611) supports students in becoming more competitive medical school applicants. There is a practicum component allowing students to work with Baltimore's community organizations in a number of settings of a clinical and non-clinical nature (for variable credits, depending on the student's availability). In the process, students will hone the competencies which medical schools seek.

If you have questions about the med school application process, reach out to Aisha Rivera Margarin (Director of the Occupational & Environmental Medicine Residency).

career development resources

BSPH's Career Services office provides resources and guidance, including:

• Personal career and life-design planning for students and alumni
• Career workshops and events throughout the year
• A comprehensive Career Planner with resume template
• Exclusive access to sponsored career resources
• An outstanding Public Health Career Fair held each spring
• A robust database of public health jobs, internships, and public health employers

DISABILITY SERVICES

The Bloomberg School of Public Health is committed to the holistic well-being of its students and offers a wide spectrum of support as they progress toward becoming confident, capable, and fulfilled leaders in public health. Visit the Student Disability Services page for more information and how to request accommodations.

According to the requirements of the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), all BSPH degree students must be grounded in foundational public health knowledge. Please view the list of specific CEPH requirements by degree type.

Graduates have competence in the following:

1. Examine the nature and interactions of the key disciplines that form the foundation of environmental health and their ethical application to environmental health issues.

2. Illustrate how environmental health fits within the larger context of public health problems, interventions and practice. 

3. Explain and apply the tools and problem-solving approaches used to identify and solve environmental problems related to toxicant exposures. 

4. Interpret and critically evaluate the environmental health literature relevant to research on toxicologic mechanisms of adverse human health effects.
 
5. Effectively communicate the nature and significance of environmental health problems, as well as their solutions, to expert and lay audiences. 

6. Design and conduct ethical studies to gain knowledge of the adverse human health effects of environmental agents and conditions.   

7. Effectively present research results in a formal oral presentation and in a written format appropriate for publication in a scientific journal.