The Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) with a concentration in Industrial Hygiene (IH) provides students the opportunity to specialize in occupational safety and health with a dedicated IH research experience. IH professionals must be able to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and control workplace conditions that may cause injury or illness, including chemical, physical, ergonomic, and biological hazards. Students are trained to apply the fundamental concepts of IH through an internship and a research thesis that may include exposure assessment defining safe limits for exposures, and recommending appropriate control measures.
The research aspect of this curriculum is conducted under the requirements of the UAB Graduate School and requires conducting research under an advisor’s supervision and writing and defending a master’s research thesis. The IH program is part of the Deep South Center (DSC) for Occupational Health and Safety, one of 18 Education and Research Centers (ERCs) supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Funding is available for eligible applicants through the center.
Our goal is to enable students to:
Demonstrate knowledge on the scientific principles and fundamentals of industrial hygiene.
Use sampling and analytical methods to conduct occupational exposure assessment.
Demonstrate the fundamentals in controlling occupational exposure hazards.
Apply fundamental concepts of industrial hygiene theory to real life practical cases.
Apply the basic regulations and standards of industrial hygiene to real field situations.
Demonstrate the ability to conduct supervised research in an industrial hygiene topic, write and defend a research thesis.
Curriculum
Students must complete a minimum of 43 credit hours, including MSPH core courses, industrial hygiene concentration courses, and research. Students who are receiving NIOSH funding will also be required to complete an internship. Students in the MSPH program are required to write and submit a master’s thesis.
Applicants should have a good academic record and meet the minimum requirements for admission to the School of Public Health. In addition, applicants should have some background in math and science and a commitment to conduct directed research (laboratory or field based) at the MS level.