Environmental Infectious Diseases

The environmental infectious diseases specialty is concerned with the emergence of food-borne and infectious diseases in the United Sates and around the world. The environment, and changing conditions in the environment can have a great impact on the distribution and occurrence of infectious diseases. Global climate change is a growing concern regarding the potential expansion of tropical vector borne diseases. In evaluating the chain of infection, environment may play a key role in reservoir maintenance, as well as a route of transmission through food, water, and air. From basic principles of infection control to predicting the impact of emerging infections, this program will explore the environmental factors associated with infectious diseases.

Degree Options

Students selecting the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree are admitted to the School of Public Health's environmental health major. Students who select the Master of Science (M.S.) degree are admitted to the Graduate School's environmental health program. Both options have similar curricula and requirements. Students selecting the M.P.H. option often take additional course work in management and behavioral sciences, and students selecting the M.S. may emphasize quantitative course work or research. Students are required to complete an internship and are encouraged to do original research in this field.

The primary objective of the Ph.D. program is to bring students to a high level of academic competence through a combination of advanced course work and research. The Ph.D. thesis must make an original contribution to the body of knowledge in environmental or occupational health. Prospective doctoral students must have fulfilled the requirements of the master's program in environmental health, or the equivalent, before admission to the program, or take additional courses to meet that level of knowledge.

Students choosing this specialty may apply for several competitive scholarships or traineeships available within the division. Students are also eligible to apply for graduate assistantships through funded research projects. An assistantship provides tuition reimbursement and salary support.

Application (more information)

Curricula for MPH, MS and PhD Programs

Probationary Admission

Applicants may be admitted to the MPH program on a probationary basis. Each application for probationary admission will be evaluated and considered individually. Full time students will be required to take three courses in the first semester (PubH 5320, Fundamentals of Epidemiology; PubH 5414 Biostatistical Methods I; and one of three core EnHS courses) and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Part-time students will be required to take the same courses over a period of two semesters and maintain a GPA of 3.0. Students who successfully complete these requirements will be admitted to regular student status.