Environmental Health Sciences

Degree Offered: M.P.H., M.S.P.H., Ph.D.
Chair: Jeffrey Wickliffe, PhD
Phone: (205) 934-6080
Website: www.uab.edu/soph/home/departments/ehs
Department Contact: Julie Brown, MS, MBA
Department Contact Email: jebrown@uab.edu

Overview

Environmental Health assesses factors in our environment to understand their role in the health of individuals and populations. This concentration addresses environmental risk factors, such as airborne pollutants, water contaminants, and heat, that pose threats to the health of communities, workers, and vulnerable populations. Additionally, the program evaluates issues in sustainability and population inequalities related to environmental exposures.

Students who study Environmental Health will become knowledgeable in a variety of approaches that are used to assess environmental hazards and the environmental risk to populations.

Degree Programs

  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Health Sciences
  • Master of Public Health (MPH) concentration in Environmental and Occupational Health - (Including the Fast Track Program, Accelerated Bachelors/Masters (ABM) and Online Degree Program)
  • Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) concentration in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
  • Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) concentration in Industrial Hygiene 

Admission

Master Program Deadline: www.uab.edu/soph/home/apply/graduate
PhD Program Deadline: www.uab.edu/soph/home/apply/graduate
GPA 3.0
Number of Evaluation Forms: Three
Entrance Tests: GRE www.uab.edu/soph/home/apply/graduate
TOEFL TOEFL is required for international applicants whose native language is not English.
SOPH Admissions: www.uab.edu/soph/home/apply/graduate

UAB has many degree programs (both face-to-face and online) that can lead to professional licensure or certification. Licensure requirements vary from state to state and by professional organization. Federal Regulations require UAB to provide public or general disclosures on educational programs designed to meet educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification, that is required for employment in an occupation, or is advertised as meeting such requirements. For a list of programs that customarily lead to professional licensure or certification, please visit the UAB Professional Licensure and Certification webpage.

Master of Public Health with a Concentration in Environmental and Occupational Health

Including the MPH Fast Track Program, Accelerated Bachelors/Masters(ABM) and Online Degree Program

The degree of the Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Environmental and Occupational Health is intended to prepare students to practice environmental and occupational health, in government agencies, non-profit agencies, and industry. The MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health focuses on the identification and assessment of human health threats; on the prevention of disease and injury related to environmental and occupational agents; and, on the promotion of health among individuals, communities, and workers.

Curriculum

Students pursuing the MPH degree acquire knowledge of fundamental public health disciplines through the school’s core courses. This include 14 required hours in core courses.  In addition, a student will complete the department core courses and specific program track courses and electives as required. Electives are chosen in consultation with the student’s academic advisor. Electives outside the SOPH must be approved by the student’s advisor. 

RequirementsHours
Core Requirements: (14 hours)
PUH 601This is Public Health1
PUH 602Community Assessment3
PUH 603Quantitative Methods in Public Health3
PUH 604Programs and Policies3
PUH 605Public Health Management and Evaluation3
PUH 606Leadership for Evidence-Based Public Health1
MPH Degree Requirement (1 hour)
ENH 690Environmental Health Perspectives1
Concentration Requirements: (18 hours)
ENH 600Fundamentals of Environmental Health Science3
ENH 612Assessing & Managing Environmental Risks3
ENH 615Environmental Justice and Ethics3
ENH 650Essentials of Environmental and Occupational Toxicology and Diseases3
ENH 660Fundamentals of Air and Water Pollution3
ENH 670Fundamentals of Occupational Safety3
Applied Practice Experience: (3 hours)
PUH 688Public Health Internship3
Approved Electives (6 hours):
Select 6 hours of 600-level or higher courses6
Integrative Learning Experience (2 hours):
ENH 689Environmental Health Sciences Integrative Learning Experience2
Total Credit Hours:44

Master of Science in Public Health with a Concentration in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences

The Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) with a concentration in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences provides an intensive educational and research experience. This degree prepares students for applying to doctoral programs, employment in research, government, and industry. MSPH students learn to understand how environmental pollutants affect the health of populations, learn specific approaches for assessing, preventing, and controlling environmental hazards, and learn to communicate scientific findings. Students are required to develop an interest area in environmental or occupational health, where they will conduct research and prepare a thesis. 

Curriculum

In addition to the MSPH core courses and school-wide requirements, students take 20-21 hours of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences courses and approved elective courses, 3 hours of directed research and 6 hours of project research for a total of 44-45 credit hours. Students in the MSPH program are required to do a masters’ thesis. 

All students in an MSPH, MS, DrPH, or PhD program are required to complete PUH 600: Overview of Public Health. The course must be completed in a single semester (Fall or Spring); students must complete the course by the end of their second semester in the program. Students with prior public health education (BS in Public Health or MPH) or extensive public health experience (5+ years in public health practice) may be waived from this requirement by permission of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, but this is rare.

RequirementsHours
MSPH Core Requirements: (12 hours)
BST 611Intermediate Statistical Analysis I3
BST 612Intermediate Statistical Analysis II3
ENH 600Fundamentals of Environmental Health Science3
EPI 610Principles of Epidemiologic Research3
School-Wide Requirements: (3 hours)
GRD 717Principles of Scientific Integrity3
Concentration Requirements: (12 hours)
ENH 612Assessing & Managing Environmental Risks3
ENH 650Essentials of Environmental and Occupational Toxicology and Diseases3
ENH 660Fundamentals of Air and Water Pollution3
ENH 661LEnvironmental Sampling and Analysis Laboratory3
Concentration Select ENH Courses: (2 - 3 hours)
EPI 616Environmental Epidemiology3
ENH 611Environmental & Occupational Exposure Assessment3
ENH 626Physical Agents2
Concentration Select ENH Courses: (3 hours)
ENH 621Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene3
ENH 670Fundamentals of Occupational Safety3
Approved Electives: (3 hours)
Select 3 hours of 600-level or higher courses3
Master's Directed Research: (Minimum of 3 credit hours)
ENH 698Masters Directed Research1-9
Master's Project Research: (Minimum of 6 hours once admitted to candidacy)
ENH 699Masters Level Project Research1-9
Total Credit Hours:44- 45

The Master of Science in Public Health with a Concentration in Industrial Hygiene

The Master of Science Public Health with a concentration in Industrial Hygiene will provide students with an option to focus on industrial hygiene topics and provide a dedicated research experience. Industrial hygiene professionals must be able to recognize, evaluate, and control occupational situations that may lead to disease or injuries.  They may also require expertise in designing and conducting studies of occupational sites to assess the probability that exposures present a risk to workers, to define safe limits for human exposures and set in place control measures.  The research aspect of this curriculum is conducted under the requirements of the UAB Graduate School, and includes: formation of a research committee, defense of a research proposal, conducting the research under adviser supervision, preparation of a formal thesis, and presentation and defense of the thesis. The industrial hygiene program is part of the Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety, one of 18 Education and Research Centers supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Curriculum

Students must complete a minimum of 43 credit hours, including MSPH core courses, industrial hygiene concentration courses, and research. If a student is receiving NIOSH funding they will also be required to complete an internship so the number of hours will be a minimum of 46 hours. Students in the MSPH program are required to write and submit a master’s thesis.

All students in an MSPH, MS, DrPH, or PhD program are required to complete PUH 600: Overview of Public Health. The course must be completed in a single semester (Fall or Spring); students must complete the course by the end of their second semester in the program. Students with prior public health education (BS in Public Health or MPH) or extensive public health experience (5+ years in public health practice) may be waived from this requirement by permission of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, but this is rare.
 

RequirementsHours
MSPH Core Requirements: (6 hours)
BST 611Intermediate Statistical Analysis I3
EPI 610Principles of Epidemiologic Research3
School-Wide Requirements: (3 hours)
GRD 717Principles of Scientific Integrity3
Department Track Requirements: (6 hours)
ENH 650Essentials of Environmental and Occupational Toxicology and Diseases3
ENH 661LEnvironmental Sampling and Analysis Laboratory3
Concentration Requirements: (15 hours)
ENH 621Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene3
ENH 624Control of Occupational Hazards2
ENH 625Industrial Hygiene Case Studies2
ENH 626Physical Agents2
ENH 670Fundamentals of Occupational Safety3
ENH 680Interdisciplinary Field Studies1
ENH 681Interdisciplinary Worksite Evaluations2
Concentration Select ENH Courses: (Minimum 3 hours)
ENH 600Fundamentals of Environmental Health Science 13
or ENH 660 Fundamentals of Air and Water Pollution
or BST 612 Intermediate Statistical Analysis II
Masters Directed Research: (Minimum 4 hours)4
Masters Directed Research
Masters Project Research: (Minimum of 6 hours once admitted to candidacy)6
Masters Level Project Research
Total Credit Hours:43
1

Students can select ENH 600 if they do not have a background in Environmental Health Sciences.

Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Health Sciences

The PhD in Environmental Health Sciences is an academic research degree. The doctoral program prepares scientists for careers in research, environmental program management, risk assessment and policy. Didactic training and research in the identification, evaluation, and control of hazards to human health are emphasized in this program.  Students may concentrate on a wide variety of areas including exposure assessment, toxicology, environmental chemistry, air and water pollution, risk assessment and management. In addition to understanding the advanced concepts of environmental health sciences, graduates of this program are expected to develop skills that will enable them to identify and define questions of environmental health importance, design research studies to address these questions, and to complete a program of research that demonstrates abilities as an independent investigator. Graduates are qualified to assume upper-level positions in the public or private sector in research, management, teaching, or consulting.

Curriculum

PhD students are expected to complete departmental required courses, electives and research.  Other courses preparatory to dissertation research will be determined by the academic advisor or dissertation committee in consultation with the student.

Students who are admitted to the PhD program with a relevant master's degree will be required to complete a minimum of 72 hours. Students without a relevant master's degree will be required complete a minimum of 78 hours. The admissions committee will decide which schedule the student is required to follow. These are the minimum number of required hours; additional coursework that the dissertation committee deems necessary, or additional research hours needed to complete the dissertation may increase the total number of credit hours.

All students in an MSPH, MS, DrPH, or PhD program are required to complete PUH 600: Overview of Public Health. The course must be completed in a single semester (Fall or Spring); students must complete the course by the end of their second semester in the program. Students with prior public health education (BS in Public Health or MPH) or extensive public health experience (5+ years in public health practice) may be waived from this requirement by permission of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, but this is rare.
 

PhD curriculum for students with a relevant masters degree.

RequirementsHours
School Core Requirement (15 hours):
BST 612Intermediate Statistical Analysis II3
ENH 700Scientific Basis of Environmental Health3
EPI 616Environmental Epidemiology3
GRD 717Principles of Scientific Integrity3
PUH 703Public Health Grant Writing3
or GRD 704 Specialized Instruction
or GRD 723 Writing Research for Academic Audiences
Department Core Requirement (8 hours):
Select two of the following: ENH 611, ENH 660 and/or ENH 661L 6
Environmental & Occupational Exposure Assessment
Fundamentals of Air and Water Pollution
Environmental Sampling and Analysis Laboratory
ENH 790Seminar: Current Topics in ENH Sciences Research1
ENH 790Seminar: Current Topics in ENH Sciences Research1
Electives (13 hours):
Selected through discussion between advisor, committee, and student; courses could be outside SOPH13
Directed Research (minimum 12 hours):
ENH 798Doctoral Level Directed Res1-9
Dissertation Research (minimum 24 hours, atleast 2 semester of candidacy):
ENH 799Dissertation Research1-9
Minimum Credit Hours Earned for Degree:72

PhD curriculum for students without a masters degree or relevant masters degree.

RequirementsHours
Required for Students without Masters (6 hours):
BST 611Intermediate Statistical Analysis I3
EPI 610Principles of Epidemiologic Research3
School Core Requirement (15 hours):
BST 612Intermediate Statistical Analysis II3
ENH 700Scientific Basis of Environmental Health3
EPI 616Environmental Epidemiology3
GRD 717Principles of Scientific Integrity3
PUH 703Public Health Grant Writing3
or GRD 704 Specialized Instruction
or GRD 723 Writing Research for Academic Audiences
Department Core Requirement (8 hours):
Select two of the following: ENH 611, ENH 660 and/or ENH 661L6
Environmental & Occupational Exposure Assessment
Fundamentals of Air and Water Pollution
Environmental Sampling and Analysis Laboratory
ENH 790Seminar: Current Topics in ENH Sciences Research1
ENH 790Seminar: Current Topics in ENH Sciences Research1
Electives (13 hours):
Selected through discussion between advisor, committee, and student; courses could be outside SOPH13
Directed Research (minimum 12 hours):
ENH 798Doctoral Level Directed Res minimum 7 hours1-9
Dissertation Research (minimum 24 hours, atleast 2 semesters of candidacy):
ENH 799Dissertation Research minimum 24 hours1-9
Minimum Credit Hours Earned for Degree:78

Courses

ENH 600. Fundamentals of Environmental Health Science. 3 Hours.

We live inextricably with our surroundings, including both the natural and built environments. And in these surroundings both natural and man-made components can impact how we live because they impact our health and our safety. This course will critically examine major factors found around us in our everyday lives and investigate how human health is impacted. Regulatory controls, risk, and preparedness will be discussed with respect to decreasing the negative environmental impacts on public health.Prerequisite: Admission into an MPH program, School of Public Health or special permission from the course director.

ENH 605. Remote Sensing and Public Hlth. 3 Hours.

Observing global patterns via satellites can help with research endeavors, this course will focus on the applications of remote sensing to both health and the social sciences. Hands on experience using satellite remote sensing will enrich the experience. This course will give students the chance to learn about a wide rande of remote sensing applications in both classrooms and lab settings. The course will progress from basic remote sensing analysis techniques to the point where the students are responsible for their own research projects.

ENH 610. Environmental Disasters. 3 Hours.

Examines the worldwide problem of toxic disasters, particularly those involving invisible agents (chemicals, infectious disease agents, radiation). Theory, case studies, field experience, and current scientific research are reviewed, and the public health, environmental, human services and public policy implications of toxic disasters are discussed.

ENH 611. Environmental & Occupational Exposure Assessment. 3 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 toxicology, epidemiology, and risk management. 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 is a designated service learning course.

ENH 612. Assessing & Managing Environmental Risks. 3 Hours.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an overview of environmental policy, with a focus on demonstrating how toxicology and exposure measurements are used in environmental risk assessment and management. Students are presented with the basic elements of a quantitative risk assessment including hazard identification, exposure assessment, dose-response assessment, and risk characterization. This course is designed to instill critical thinking regarding the often conflicting economic, social, and environmental tradeoffs inherent in environmental policy and management.
Prerequisites: ENH 650 [Min Grade: C](Can be taken Concurrently) or ENH 650Q [Min Grade: C]

ENH 615. Environmental Justice and Ethics. 3 Hours.

This course will critically examine one of the fastest growing social movements in the United States, the movement for environmental justice, and will explore the relationships among environmentalism and ethics. 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.

ENH 617. Sustainability and Public Health. 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.

ENH 621. Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene. 3 Hours.

Chemical, physical and other hazards and stresses found in the work environment. Recognizing potential hazards by understanding industrial processes, toxicity of environmental contaminants and occupational disease processes. Study design and preparation for field evaluation, conduct of industrial hygiene surveys, and interpretation of survey results.

ENH 624. Control of Occupational Hazards. 2 Hours.

Importance of engineering controls in reducing occupational health hazards. Substitution of less toxic substances, modification of work processes, and design of local exhaust ventilation systems; proper selections and use of personal protective equipment, especially respirators, also considered.

ENH 625. Industrial Hygiene Case Studies. 2 Hours.

Integrates students' basic knowledge through consideration of real work-place situations. Step-by-Step analysis of case reports covering occupational health problems in representative industrial situations. Sequential presentation of overview of working conditions, survey strategies, interpretation of results, and recommendations.

ENH 626. Physical Agents. 2 Hours.

Sources, effects, and control of occupational and environmental noise, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, and temperature extremes. Review of exposure standards and introduction of measurement equipment and techniques.

ENH 635. Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases: Causes and Prevention. 3 Hours.

This course provides a broad overview of the major foodborne and waterborne diseases. The course describes how information from surveillance is used to improve public health policy and practice in ways that contribute to the safety of our food and water. We focus on the pathogens responsible for food- and water-transmitted diseases, discussing the diseases they cause, their prevalence and relevance to public health in developed and developing nations; disease pathogenesis and clinical manifestations; reservoirs, modes of transmission, and strategies for detection and prevention.

ENH 650. Essentials of Environmental and Occupational Toxicology and Diseases. 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 is a designated service learning course.

ENH 660. Fundamentals of Air and Water Pollution. 3 Hours.

The course is an integrated introduction to air and water pollution, including its sources, transport and effects. The course focuses on the measurement and characterization of air pollutants and the assessment of water quality. Emphasis will also be given to the regulatory control of pollutants and to the technical aspects of engineering controls. The potential impact of air pollutants on the climate change will also be emphasized.

ENH 661L. Environmental Sampling and Analysis Laboratory. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to provide the students with a thorough understanding of the principles and practice of air and water sampling and familiarize them with the analytical methods used for air and water pollutant analysis. The course will focus on contaminant gases, vapors, suspended particulate material and dissolved chemicals in water. A basic understanding of chemistry and physics is a prerequisite.

ENH 670. Fundamentals of Occupational Safety. 3 Hours.

Basic principles of safety and loss control; emphasis on prevention of losses of people, property, and products in the work place. Developing competence in human-factors engineering, fire prevention, physical and behavioral science, product safety, and science of accident prevention.

ENH 680. Interdisciplinary Field Studies. 1 Hour.

In this course, students will be organized into interdisciplinary teams to include at least one representative of each occupational safety and health academic discipline and participate in team building activities to facilitate group interactions for the interdisciplinary course ENH 681 in the spring. Students will be exposed to basic concepts of occupational hygiene, learn to recognize different types of hazards (i.e. chemical, biological, physical agents) in the workplace and their health outcomes, conduct a walkthrough survey of an occupational setting, attend OHS seminars and meetings, work collaboratively with other OHS students and professionals on projects, and learn how collaborations with other health professionals with complementary skills can help them achieve a comprehensive occupational health and safety goal. Students enrolled in this course must be admitted to one of the academic programs of the Deep South Education and Research Center. This class is a requirement for all NIOSH trainees.

ENH 681. Interdisciplinary Worksite Evaluations. 2 Hours.

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.
Prerequisites: ENH 680 [Min Grade: C](Can be taken Concurrently) or ENH 680Q [Min Grade: C]

ENH 689. Environmental Health Sciences Integrative Learning Experience. 2 Hours.

The ENH ILE or capstone course represents a culminating experience that allows students to demonstrate synthesis of foundational and concentration competencies. 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 allow students to identify root causes of public health issues. All MPH students must complete this capstone course to graduate during the final term of enrollment.
Prerequisites: PUH 688 [Min Grade: C]

ENH 690. Environmental Health Perspectives. 1 Hour.

ENH 690 represents a broad overview of Environmental Health from a variety of perspectives. All MPH students in the SOPH, regardless of departmental or program affiliation, must complete this course to graduate. This course provides all MPH students the opportunity to consider how the various disciplines in public health intersect with environmental health. The 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 within the context of environmental health.
Prerequisites: PUH 601 [Min Grade: C] and PUH 602 [Min Grade: C] and PUH 603 [Min Grade: C] and PUH 604 [Min Grade: C] and PUH 605 [Min Grade: C] and PUH 606 [Min Grade: C]

ENH 691. Current Topics in Environmental Health and Occupational Health and Safety. 1-3 Hour.

Development of communication skills through objectively reviewing scientific literature; presentations and summaries of research or professional activities.

ENH 695. Seminar on Selected Environmental Health Topics. 1-9 Hour.

This course will be used as faculty design and craft course topics based on specific interests. These courses will be taught on a masters level.

ENH 697. Internship. 3 Hours.

The internship provides an opportunity for each student to work in a public health setting in a position that carries responsibility and is of particular interest. In order to register for the internship course, students must have completed all public health core coursework. Usually, this means that students must wait until their 3rd semester to complete the internship. Students must complete a minimum of 180 contact hours with the organization during the semester in which they register for the internship.
Prerequisites: (BST 601 [Min Grade: C] or BST 601Q [Min Grade: C] or PUH 601 [Min Grade: C]) and (ENH 600 [Min Grade: C] or ENH 600Q [Min Grade: C] or PUH 602 [Min Grade: C]) and (EPI 600 [Min Grade: C] or EPI 600Q [Min Grade: C] or PUH 603 [Min Grade: C]) and (HB 600 [Min Grade: C] or HB 600Q [Min Grade: C] or PUH 604 [Min Grade: C]) and (HCO 600 [Min Grade: C] or (PUH 605 [Min Grade: C] and PUH 606 [Min Grade: C]) or HCO 600Q [Min Grade: C])

ENH 698. Masters Directed Research. 1-9 Hour.

Independent study with guidance of appropriate faculty.

ENH 699. Masters Level Project Research. 1-9 Hour.

Research for project under direction of research project committee.
Prerequisites: GAC M

ENH 700. Scientific Basis of Environmental Health. 3 Hours.

This is an overview course that is intended to provide doctoral students with a broad understanding of the scientific principles on which environmental health is based within the context of the interaction of human activities and ecosystems, and the reciprocal impact of those interactions on human health and global ecology.

ENH 701. Advanced Environmental Chemistry. 3 Hours.

The course will describe the underlying physicochemical and mathematical formulations governing environmental physico-chemical processes including the coupling with biological media. Specific attention will be paid in understanding the physical basis of the processes and critical variables rather than memorizing the mathematical equations. The kinetics and thermodynamics of chemical transformations including redox and photolysis reactions will be introduced. Subsequently, specific environmental cases involving aquatic and atmospheric environments will be thorough investigated. Students are strongly recommended to have: (1) understanding of organic chemistry and basic thermodynamics; (2) comfort with math.

ENH 705. Special Topics in Environmental and Occupational Health Occupational Hygiene Research - Journal Club. 1-9 Hour.

This course is designed to provide advanced (doctoral) students in Environmental Health Sciences in general, and Industrial hygiene in particular an overview of the research literature and introduction in advance topics such as nanomaterials, control banding, quantitative occupational exposure assessment, etc. Students will have the opportunity to present their own research, learn about the research conducted by their peers and conduct critical review of published research.

ENH 752. Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology. 3 Hours.

This advanced course serves to equip students to understand at the molecular and cellular levels how environmental and occupational agents exert their toxic properties against specific genetic backgrounds. This course assumes a strong foundational knowledge of cell biology, RNA and DNA metabolism, and gene function, structure and regulation. This course will prepare students to apply advanced toxicology principles to agents of disease in order to understand the molecular mechanism and where interventions may be appropriate. Prerequisite: Admission into a public health or biomedical PhD program or permission of the instructor.

ENH 763. Aerosol Technology. 3 Hours.

Defines properties and behavior of aerosols from industrial hygiene and environmental perspectives. Reviews fundamental particle descriptions and critical fluid properties affecting particle behavior. Methods of defining particle size and particle behavior. Methods of defining particle size and size distribution and theories of particle kinetics and their application to particle disposition and collection This multidisciplinary course covers the fundamental principles that govern the formation, growth, measurement and modeling of particles behavior (both ambient and nanoparticles) with direct application to health sciences and engineering specialties. The course explores the quantitative evaluation of aerosol behavior including the physical and chemical parameters that govern it. Specific applications of atmospheric and occupational aerosol, bioaerosol and nanoparticles are included to link fundamental knowledge to practical implications in industrial hygiene, national security and materials technology.

ENH 770. Advanced Topics in Environmental Disasters in PUH. 3 Hours.

Examines emerging public health challenges posed by incidents involving chemicals, radiation and biological agents. Students are provided with the opportunity to undertake guided research on current topics in the field and discuss their findings with graduate students and faculty members. Course will be graded by letter. Prerequisites: ENH 610 [Min Grade: C] NOTE: If course prerequisite of ENH 610 is not met, permission of instructor is required.
Prerequisites: ENH 610 [Min Grade: C](Can be taken Concurrently)

ENH 781. Journal Club. 1 Hour.

The purpose of this course is to provide a forum in which students become comfortable critically reviewing recent refereed publications in the fields of environmental health, toxicology, occupational health, and industrial hygiene. Students will also be expected to become comfortable answering and asking questions in a scientific setting.

ENH 790. Seminar: Current Topics in ENH Sciences Research. 1 Hour.

Interactive forum in which graduate students and faculty discuss dissertation research projects and topics related to the field of Environmental Health Sciences Research through presentation of journal articles. Course is designed to develop oral communication skills for presenting scientific material to peer groups. Presentations by graduate students are followed by discussion and questions. Preq: Permission of instructor required.

ENH 796. Environmental Toxicology Laboratory Rotations. 3 Hours.

Doctoral laboratory rotations in Environmental Health Sciences. Required for First and Second year PhD students in the Industrial Hygiene and Environmental Management and Policy foci. Preq: Permission of instructor required.

ENH 798. Doctoral Level Directed Res. 1-9 Hour.

Independent study with guidance of appropriate faculty.

ENH 799. Dissertation Research. 1-9 Hour.

Research for dissertation under the direction of the dissertation committee. Preq: Must be admitted to candidacy before registering for this course.
Prerequisites: GAC Z

Faculty

Abadi, Azar, Assistant Professor, 2023, , PhD (University of Nebraska-Lincoln), MS. Climate change and impacts on human health, demographic characteristics and Social Determinants of Health indicators, geospatial modeling, remote sensing applications, GIS applications in public health
Allen, Shauntice, Assistant Professor, 2016, Ph.D., M.A. (UAB), Community resiliency and livability as well as environmental justice and health equity strategies
Aula, Mercy, Assistant Professor, 2022, Ph.D., M.S. (East Tennessee State University), Ergonomic risk factor assessment in migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Use of surface electromyography (sEMG) for ergonomic assessments. Health disparities and co-morbidity assessment. Community-based participatory research.
Chatham, Amy H., Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Education, 2021, Ph.D., M.S.P.H. (UAB), Community Engagement, health education and promotion, environmental health policy, WASH, rural health focusing on the Black Belt region, and educational equity and accessibility.
Cong, Zhen, Professor and Director, 2023, Ph.D. (University of Southern California), older adults’ vulnerability and resilience to disasters; social and health consequences as results of interactions of population aging and climate change; disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery; community resilience; multilevel intersectional vulnerability and resilience; intergenerational relationships, social support, and older adults’ well-being; Chinese and Chinese American families.
Fanucchi, Michelle, Associate Professor, 2007, Ph.D. (University of California - Davis), Pulmonary cell biology and toxicology. Cell-to-cell interactions in the developing lung as well as in repair after lung injury and disease in children. Environmental Justice. Childhood lung disease and its etiology. Drug metabolism.
Karimi, Maryam E., Assistant Professor, 2019, Ph.D., M.P.A., M.S. (New York), Urban heat island and public health, environmental and social vulnerability, urban morphology and built environment, and climate change
Lungu, Claudiu T., Professor and Director, Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety, 2005, Ph.D. (South Carolina), Occupational exposure assessment, Control of exposures including development and test of sorbent materials used in Personal protective equipment (PPE) and environmental applications.
McCormick, Lisa, Professor and Associate Dean of Public Health, Dean's Office, 2010, Dr.PH. (UAB), Public health preparedness and response, the organization of response systems, and assessing interorganizational networks as a dimension of response capacity and community resiliency
Odame, Emmanuel, Assistant Professor, 2019, Ph.D., M.P.H. (East Tennessee State), Health disparities, and Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) application in heat stress monitoring and evaluation.
Oh, Jonghwa, Assistant Professor, 2017, Ph.D. (UAB), Improvement of current occupational exposure assessment and control methods.
Price, Julie, Assistant Professor, 2020, Ph.D. (UAB), M.S. (Auburn University), Organizational sustainability, triple bottom line (environmental, social, and economic) contributors to public health, place-based experiential learning
Rabbani, Fahad, Assistant Professor, 2023, Ph.D. (UAB), Climate change, coastal resiliency, hydrodynamic modeling, application of remote sensing and GIS in risk management, data mining, machine learning, stormwater management, and impact assessment of extreme weather events on the built environment.
Vilcassim, MJ Ruzmyn, Assistant Professor, 2019, Ph.D., M.S. (New York University), Health effects associate with or caused by exposure to environmental pollutants, with a special focus on particulate matter air pollution in urban environments
Wickliffe, Jeffrey, Professor and Chair, 2020, Ph.D. (Texas Tech University), M.S. (Texas A&M University), Assessing, understanding, and ultimately preventing adverse human health effects associated with exposure to environmental hazards guides my research, education, and service efforts.
Zierold, Kristina, Associate Professor, 2018, Ph.D. (Illinois), M.S. (Vanderbilt University), Understanding how environmental pollutants impact the health of children and adults. Environmental epidemiology, air pollution, exposure to heavy metals, neurobehavioral and neurological health conditions, occupational injury and safety training in adolescents and young workers, community based participatory research.