PhD Environmental Health Sciences

Program Overview

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Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Health Sciences

Program Overview

The PhD program in Environmental Health Sciences enables students to analyze and solve real environmental health problems using advanced research methods and lab techniques in the biological, physical, and medical sciences. By collaborating with experts in the New York State Department of Health, students strengthen their scientific research skills while developing their professional network.

Program of Study

This 68-credit graduate program usually requires four to five years of full-time study and research.

Core Courses and Seminar (21 credits)

• Principles of Environmental Chemistry
• Principles of Toxicology
• Introduction to Environmental Health
• Responsible Conduct of Scientific Research
• Research Rotations in Environmental Health and Toxicology
• Current Literature in Environmental Health and Toxicology
• Principles of Public Health
• Principles in Statistical Inference
• Seminar in Environmental Health Sciences

Supporting Electives (12 credits)

Sample courses:

• Occupational Epidemiology
• Water Quality and Public Health
• Geographic Information Systems
• Pollution Ecology of Freshwater Invertebrates
• Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology
• Risk Assessment
• Atmospheric Environment and Human Welfare
• Metabolism and Disposition of Xenobiotics
• Immunotoxicology

Research Tool

Demonstrate competency in a relevant research methodology by taking a technique workshop or course relevant to your research.

Doctoral Research (35 credits)

Qualifying Exams

• Preliminary oral exam: Before the end of the second semester
• Part I: Written and oral exam after course requirements are complete
• Part II: Oral defense of your written dissertation research proposal

Dissertation

Submit a significant and original contribution in your area of specialization.

Research Opportunities

Learn first-hand from faculty who actively address public health issues facing New York State (NYS). More than 75% of faculty in the College of Integrated Health Sciences hold appointments with the NYS Department of Health.

Research Topics:

• Environmental health sciences students study local environmental justice solutions and research short and long-term effects of air, water, and food quality problems and physical and psychological stresses on public health.
• Frequent topics of study include: radiation science and radiological emergency response methods; sustainability and green design; environmental contamination and assessment of health risks due to chemical and microbial exposure; climate change; and toxicological studies of developmental, reproductive, and physiological processes.

Career Paths

As a graduate of this environmental health sciences program, you'll be prepared for academic, technical, professional, and supervisory careers in higher education institutions, public health organizations, NGOs, government research agencies, medical centers and hospitals, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Sample job titles:

• Environmental toxicologist
• Senior human health risk assessor
• Environmental health and safety analyst
• Industrial hygienist
• Ecological statistician
• Water quality specialist
• Environmental epidemiologist

Admission Requirements

Deadlines

• Fall: December 1

Application Requirements

• Must hold a bachelor's degree from a college or university of recognized standing
• Grade point average of 3.00 or better
• A combined total of at least 42 credits in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics
• Prior research experience, either through an undergraduate experience, enhanced summer research, or post-baccalaureate degree
• Applicants are reviewed in the context of academic preparation and performance, potential for success, fit for the graduate program, as well as potential match with mentor

International Requirements

• International students must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 98, IELTS score of 7.0, Duolingo score of 125.
• UAlbany SOPHAS TOEFL code is 5688. We do not use department codes.
• Official Duolingo scores must be sent to the University at Albany (SOPHAS does not accept Duolingo scores). Students may include unofficial scores in their SOPHAS application, but official scores must be received by the University at Albany.
• The TOEFL or IELTS is not required for international students who have completed at least four semesters of full-time study within a four-year time frame from time of application, and maintained at least a B average at a college or university in the United States or a country from an approved list.

Required Application Materials

• Official transcripts from EVERY post-secondary academic institution attended, including college coursework completed during high school, must be sent directly from the institution to SOPHAS.
• Three letters of recommendation
• Personal Statement (2-page limit)
• CV/Resume

Student Learning Objectives

• Acquire basic and advanced knowledge in selected research areas.
• Gain advanced technical experience in the use of sophisticated and state-of-the-art instrumentation in the chosen field.
• Read, critically evaluate, and present scientific literature, including justifying the choice of methods applied to problems and the interpretation of results obtained.
• Prepare a written thesis and describe the principles and procedures for techniques involved, quality assurance for data acquisition, and statistical analysis.
• Present and orally defend knowledge gained in a public seminar.
• Describe issues related to the proper conduct of scientific research, including policies of federal and state agencies, and the university regarding scientific misconduct.
• Acquire advanced knowledge in the chosen field.
• Acquire analytical, field, and laboratory skills through rotations and specialty courses that provide training in the use and interpretation of results from sophisticated instrumentation.
• Read, critically evaluate, and present scientific literature, including justifying the choice of methods applied to problems and the interpretation of results obtained.
• Demonstrate a command of the fundamentals and current state of the discipline sufficient to prepare a written proposal.
• Develop problem-solving skills through application of knowledge to a research problem.

Core Competencies

Toxicology

• Acquire broad knowledge of the field of toxicology including the basic principles, target organ toxicity, and the toxicity of a select group of compounds.
• Understand the molecular foundations of biological processes, including major current concepts in biochemistry and molecular biology, and have familiarity with the research literature in the molecular biosciences and techniques and applications of modern molecular toxicology.
• Perform basic statistical analysis of data generated from lab experiments or field studies.

Environmental Chemistry

• Acquire broad knowledge of the field of Environmental Chemistry including development of methods for ultra-trace analysis of pollutants in air, water, soil and biological matrices; understanding of sources, chemodynamics and fate of environmental pollutants in ecosystems.
• Understand the methods used to assess human and environmental exposure pathways of environmental pollutants and quantitative analysis of exposure levels; environmental processes that affect the dynamics and fate pollutants; multimedia monitoring and modeling, biomonitoring and bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals.
• Be familiar with the research literature, analytical techniques, and applications of those techniques in Environmental Chemistry.
• Interpret and critically analyze the data on environmental chemical analysis; conduct research independently and be able to perform basic statistical analysis of data generated from laboratory or field studies.

Environmental and Occupational Health

• Have a broad knowledge of the field of environmental health including an understanding of the interaction of principles contained in fundamental environmental chemistry, biology, toxicology, epidemiology and general environmental health.
• Have the skills, obtained during their course of instruction, to apply technical knowledge to both field and laboratory investigations.
• Assess risks from either environmental or occupational exposures and identify measures to mitigate the risks.
• Manage data acquired during field and laboratory investigations. This includes the basic knowledge of statistics including hypothesis development, hypothesis testing and fundamental concepts involving data manipulation using parametric and non-parametric analyses.

Supplemental Degree Programs

Graduate students can typically request a supplemental degree in one or more subordinate degrees without needing to go through the full admissions process again.

Supplemental programs available with this degree:

• Africana Studies CGS
• Community College Leadership CGS
• Demography CGS
• Environmental Health Sciences MS
• Geospatial Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics CGS
• Global Health Studies CGS
• Health Disparities CGS
• HIV Studies CGS
• International Education Management CGS
• Maternal and Child Health CGS
• Public Health Surveillance and Preparedness CGS