This course introduces public health graduate students to fundamental concepts of environmental health science. The course provides an overview of topics related to occupational and environmental health, providing insights from the U.S. and abroad. Topics of human population growth, air and water pollution, food safety, risk assessment, waste management, and climate change will be covered in the course, exploring prevailing issues and sustainable solutions. The course is offered both online and in person. 3 hours.

This course is designed to examine human-environment interactions and their influence on public health in today’s data-driven health care systems. Spatial data and information from spatiotemporal data can advance our knowledge on answering the where, when, and why questions related to various health outcomes. We will utilize a Geographical Information System (GIS) to visualize, analyze, manage, and present our data in this course. By implementing GIS tools and methods, healthcare providers, public health practitioners, and government agencies can gain a detailed perspective on large-scale and trending health issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. Topics will be taught in the context of public health, with lectures and examples focused on determinants of health, health care access, infectious disease epidemiology, climate-related health impacts, environmental exposures, and more. The course will be supplemented with public health-related journal articles to integrate the topics discussed with real-world applications. 3 hours

This course explores the intersection of climate change and public health, focusing on the scientific basis of climate change and its profound impacts on human health. It examines both acute and chronic health effects resulting from climate change, discusses strategies for mitigation and adaptation, and evaluates policies aimed at addressing these challenges. Marginalized and at-risk communities will be a primary focus of attention. 3 hours

This course explores the intricate relationships between climate, water resources, and public health. Students will examine the scientific evidence of natural and anthropogenic climate change, its impact on water resources, and the subsequent effects on public health. The course will also cover mitigation and adaptation strategies, policies, and case studies from various regions. 3 hours

Environmental disasters dominate news headlines with increasing frequency. These events range from natural disasters like tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes to human-caused incidents such as nuclear accidents, industrial fires, and chemical or oil spills. Additionally, slow-onset disasters—including pollution events and climate change—create long-term environmental and health impacts that unfold over years or decades. Public health officials often serve as responders to environmental disasters, requiring comprehensive knowledge of potential risks, environmental and community health implications, and effective risk communication strategies for affected populations. This multidisciplinary course provides a thorough examination of environmental disasters as a global threat, incorporating theoretical frameworks, case studies, and current research. Students will explore the public health, environmental, human service, psychosocial, and policy dimensions of these disasters. This course welcomes graduate students and upper-level undergraduates from across the university, including programs in Public Health, Public Administration, Medicine, Health Related Professions, Social & Behavioral Sciences, and Engineering. The course is delivered online and awards 3 credit hours

This course is intended to develop an understanding and appreciation of environmental exposure assessment and its role in providing the tools and information for risk assessment, epidemiology and toxicology. The course material introduces the general concepts of first recognizing environmental exposures to chemicals in human populations, and then using sampling techniques to assess exposures. This course is offered in-person. 3 hours

Examination of the methods used in developing environmental policy, with a focus on how toxicology and exposure measurements are used in environmental risk assessment and management.  Students will learn the risk assessment process from identifying hazards, assessing exposure, and characterizing the risks, as well as identifying means to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental policies from social and economic perspectives.  This course is offered online. Prerequisite: ENH 650 or permission of instructor. 3 hours

Starting from a foundation of sustainability framed by the UN sustainable development goals, this course examines placed-based examples of successes and challenges in sustainability and public health. Students will critically evaluate the intersecting factors contributing to and scientific/policy evidence underpinning socially, environmentally, and economically unsustainable elements of our local community, and how these situations impact human health and well-being. Particular areas of emphasis include the built environment, transportation, waste, food, supply chain, energy, and climate change. Course presentation will include lectures, readings, field experiences, community engagement, and videos/film. 3 hours

This course critically examines one of the fastest growing social movements in the United States, the movement for environmental justice, and explores the relationships among environmentalism and ethics. Following on the heels of the start of environmentalism in the 1960s, we will examine the incidents that lead to this grass roots movement, many of which came from towns and people of the Deep South. Special attention will be given to leadership roles assumed by women activists who were frontline warriors, challenging governments and industries on their policies. We will discuss the ethical considerations underlying the placement of hazardous waste sites and toxic industries in poor communities and communities of color, as well as the economic and social issues that resulted from these actions. The course will also focus on Native American communities in the west, colonialism and global justice/human rights. 3 hours

Industrial hygiene principles of anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control (AREC) of hazards found in the work environment, including chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic hazards. Application and assessments of occupational health guidelines and standards. This course is offered online. 3 hours

General concepts of industrial hygiene controls. Principles of the application of general dilution ventilation and the design of local exhaust ventilation. Types, selection, and regulations of personal protective equipment (PPE) focusing on respirators. This course is offered in-person. 2 hours

Integration of students' basic knowledge in industrial hygiene through consideration of real work-place situations. Step-by-Step analysis of case reports covering occupational health and safety problems in representative industrial situations. Sequential presentation of overview of working conditions, survey strategies, interpretation of results, and recommendations. This course is offered in-person. 2 hours

General characteristics, health effects, and control of occupational physical hazards, including noise, radiation, heat stress, and vibration. Occupational exposure assessment methods through the introduction of measurement equipment and techniques and review of regulatory and consensus standards. This course is offered in-person. 2 hours

Food and water safety are essential to maintain human health. The CDC estimates that about 1-in-6 in the US succumb to a foodborne illness each year. The high incidence of foodborne and waterborne diseases warrants an intentional study of the pathogens and chemicals responsible for this incredible number of illnesses and significant burden to the medical system. Students will understand the agents that cause disease, disease pathogenesis combined with host and comorbid factors, methods of transmission, surveillance, and prevention. This course is offered online. 3 hours

This course provides an in-depth examination of environmental monitoring, sampling techniques, and data analysis methodologies used in environmental health sciences. Topics covered include air, water, groundwater, and soil sampling; quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures; data management; and statistical analysis. The course emphasizes hands-on experience with field sampling techniques, laboratory analysis, and data interpretation. Additionally, students will prepare a Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP) as a course project to support a site-specific field data collection study. 3 hours

Serves as introductory graduate level course that focuses on multiple aspects of toxicology and disease processes associated with environmental and occupational exposures. Students learn basic terminology and concepts of environmental and occupational toxicology as well as occupational and environmental disease recognition, management and prevention. Emphasis is on scientific foundations rather than on addressing topical issues. The general course orientation is towards basic principles, organ system physiology, diseases and prevention. This course is offered both online and in-person. 3 hours

Air and water pollution have significant effects on human health and the environment. Since the promulgation of air and water regulations, significant strides have been made to improve our understanding of the sources, the transport, environmental impacts, and the health effects linked to air and water pollutants. This course, designed for students interested in environmental health sciences or public health, will introduce concepts related to air and water pollution. Focus will be on the health effects linked to air and water pollutants, the regulations governing pollutants, the sources of pollution, and transport of pollutants in air and water. This course is offered both online and in-person. 3 hours.

This course is designed to provide the students with a thorough understanding of the principles and practice of air sampling and elements of water sampling. This course consists mainly of laboratory exercises combined with some lecture sessions to set the theoretical bases for the lab work. The course will focus on contaminant gases, vapors, suspended particulate material and dissolved chemicals in water. This course is offered in-person. 3 hours

Basic principles of safety and loss control; emphasis on prevention of losses of people, property, and products in work place. Developing competences in human-factors engineering, fire prevention, physical and behavioral science, product safety, and science of accident prevention. This course is offered online. 3 hours

Site visits to industrial sites throughout Alabama to observe processes and interact with occupational health personnel. Debriefing after the visit to learn the main OS&H issues observed. Lectures and seminars held with occupational health nursing, industrial hygiene, and safety and ergonomics students to exchange information on latest developments in the field and enhance interdisciplinary interaction. This course is offered in-person. Prerequisite: ENH 621 or Permission of Instructor. 1 hour

To assist students in developing critical thinking and analytical skills, provide them with experience in applying discipline-specific knowledge in a broad occupational health and safety context, and provide experience in working in interdisciplinary teams. The course consists of an overview of survey methodology and information sources, with emphasis on job safety analysis, a review of the occupational site or process to be evaluated and a report of the identified hazards and recommended controls. This class is offered in-person. Prerequisite: ENH 680. 2 hours

This course represents a culminating experience that allows students to demonstrate synthesis of foundational and concentration competencies. All MPH students, regardless of program affiliation, must complete this capstone course to graduate. These sections are for MPH students with concentration in Environmental and Occupational Health. Specifically, this course will provide students with the opportunity to use skills gained during your MPH program to assess different aspects of a community’s assets, environment, or health. This course will offer insights on current research and practice, how policies influence health, and give students the opportunity to identify root causes of public health issues. This course must be completed during the final term of enrollment (or in the final spring semester for students graduating at the end of summer term). 2 hours

This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to and overview of key areas in environmental health. Using the perspectives of the population and community, the course will cover factors associated with the investigation and development of environmental health problems. Students will gain an understanding of the interaction of individuals and communities with the environment, the potential impact on human health of environmental agents, and specific application of concepts of environmental health. The course consists of lectures that cover principles derived from core environmental health disciplines. The sequence begins with background material and “tools of the trade” (environmental epidemiology, environmental toxicology, and environmental policy and regulation); agents of environmental diseases (e.g., microbial agents, ionizing and nonionizing radiation); and applications and domains of environmental health (e.g., water and air quality, food safety, waste disposal, and occupational health). The course then explores interactions with other domains, social determinants, sustainability, as well as career perspectives and applications within the field of public health. This course is offered online. 1 hour

Seminar covering a variety of environmental health topics. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. This course will be offered as needed. 3 hours

Independent study with guidance of appropriate faculty. Pass/No Pass. 1 - 9 hours

Research for project under direction of research project committee. Pass/No Pass. 1 - 9 hours

Independent study with guidance of appropriate faculty. This course is offered only in-person. Pass/No Pass. 1 - 9 hours

Research for dissertation under the direction of the dissertation committee. This course is offered only in-person. Pass/No Pass. 1 - 9 hours