Master of Science in Public Health (Environmental Health)

Rationale and Objectives

The country is presently experiencing a rapid transition to industrialization and urbanization which brings about several environmental resource and health problems. Among these are deaths attributed to inadequate water supply and poor sanitation and hygiene practices; chronic diseases brought about by the contamination of air, water and food; and, general degradation of the environment by indiscriminate disposal of wastes, erosion of soil, deforestation, siltation of bodies of water and formation of urban slums. Poor appreciation of the interaction among development, environment and health must be addressed by training environmental professionals who will be able to influence environmental health policies of the country through education, research, community service, and advocacy.

The MSPH (Environmental Health) program is designed to provide this area of specialization in Public Health. Graduates of the program are expected to make substantive contribution to new knowledge that is relevant to the environmental needs of developing countries. Specifically, at the end of the program, the MSPH (EH) graduates should be able to:

recognize the different environmental hazards, their environmental and health effects;

apply principles and methods of controlling environmental hazards and health effects;

plan and conduct environmental epidemiologic research;

evaluate the environmental and health impact of development projects; and

formulate an environmental health programme.

A. Admission Requirements

Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree in the biological and physical sciences (e.g. M.D., public health graduates, public health engineers, biology and zoology majors). Adequacy of the applicant’s qualifications for the graduate work in environmental health shall be determined by the faculty of the Departments of Environmental and Occupational health.

B. Graduation Requirements

1. Residence for at least one full academic year immediately prior to the granting of the degree.

2. Completion of a minimum of 40 units (34 units formal courses and 6 units of thesis).

3. Satisfactory completion of Master’s Thesis.

4. Grade requirements: A weighted average of “2.00” or better in the major courses and an overall weighted average of “2.00” or better provided there is no grade of “5.00” in any of the courses.

C. Curriculum

1. Required Courses

2. Elective Courses

Other elective courses may be taken from offerings of other CPH Departments and other UP Colleges, subject to consent of the adviser.

3. Master’s Thesis

4. Summary of Course Units

D. Duration of the Program

At least two full academic years for regular full time students.

E. Credit Load

A minimum of 40 units credit load may be allowed depending on the ability or needs of the student for additional.

Course Description