About
The doctoral program (PhD) in Environmental Health Sciences is a research-based program with two tracks of study. The Environmental Toxicology track focuses on identifying and quantifying the harmful effects of environmental chemicals on human health and elucidating the mechanisms by which these agents act. The Exposure Sciences and Environmental Epidemiology track focuses on population-based research and the evaluation of human exposures to environmental agents and on scientific principles used in evaluating risks to human health from environmental exposures.
Our graduate programs in Environmental Health Sciences provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary and appropriate to teach and/or conduct basic and applied research programs in inhalation/pulmonary toxicology, biochemical neurotoxicology, reproductive and developmental toxicology, chemical pathology, toxicokinetics, radiation toxicology, molecular carcinogenesis, exposure assessment, risk assessment, environmental epidemiology, environmental justice, and community-based participatory research.
The PhD in Environmental Health Sciences degree program participates in several special graduate training programs, including GPS-STEM, Ridge 2 Reef, and Environmental Racism and Health Equity.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop a broad knowledge of principles of environmental and occupational health sciences and apply these principles in the context of public health.
- Conceive, develop, conduct, and interpret original research using a range of approaches, leading to advances in knowledge, methods, and practices in environmental and/or occupational health.
- Develop and demonstrate written and oral communications skills by preparing papers, summaries, briefings and presentations regarding environmental and/or occupational health.
Time to Degree
For students enrolled full-time, the normative time to complete the PhD degree program is five (5) academic years.
Career Outcomes
The PhD in Environmental Health Sciences prepares graduates to initiate independent and collaborative research careers in academic institutions, to teach at advanced levels of instruction, and to lead research efforts at agencies dedicated to environmental health at all levels of organization. Graduates of the Ph.D. in Environmental Health Sciences will gain employment at research universities, government agencies, industry including consulting companies, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, or private sector organizations.