Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Occupational and Environmental Health

University of Iowa

This program will prepare you for a career on the front lines of environmental and occupational health. You’ll declare a concentration in Environmental Health, Environmental Toxicology, or Ergonomics. Your faculty advisor will then help you design a plan of study to fit your educational and professional goals. You’ll graduate qualified for exciting job opportunities in local, state, or federal health agencies, and in departments of health and safety in commercial enterprises and academic institutions.

This program prepares graduate level students in professional and academic careers in environmental and occupational health. Graduates will be able to assume responsibility for the development and basic administration of environmental and occupational health programs, and will qualify for beginning faculty positions in academic environmental health departments. Although enrollment directly into the PhD program is possible, completion of the MS program is recommended as a first step toward the PhD degree. Undergraduate preparation must have included at least two semesters of chemistry, one semester of physics, mathematics and calculus. Coursework in biological science, microbiology and computer programming are highly desirable. The degree requires a minimum of 72 semester hours.

Graduates of the PhD in Occupational and Environmental Health will be able to:

• Master the MS degree competencies.
• Apply the biostatistical principles associated with the design and analysis of biomedical studies.
• Demonstrate in writing and oral presentation an advanced knowledge of an environmental health or occupational health topic.
• Analyze research literature in occupational and environmental health to identify gaps in knowledge.
• Design and perform an independent research project using ethical principles.
• Synthesize and integrate research results to guide occupational and environmental health policy and interventions.
• Communicate research findings effectively to various audiences in writing and through oral presentation.