MS/PhD Degree Program

The MS curriculum is designed to prepare individuals both technically and philosophically to practice the science and art of Industrial Hygiene. Full accreditation of the MS program by ABET- Applied Science Accreditation Commission was received in 1995. The Industrial Hygiene program strives to maintain a balance between its historical emphasis on a small number of individually trained students and the required breadth of the interdisciplinary training implicit in the profession.

Colorado State University has a set minimum number of credits for a Plan A (thesis required) or Plan B (professional paper required) Master of Science (MS) program to 30 semester credits beyond the baccalaureate degree. No one, in any discipline, may earn the degree regardless of the program plan with less than 30 semester credits.

The Plan B is differentiated from the Plan A in that a thesis is not required but additional course work and a scholarly paper are submitted in lieu of the thesis. For the Plan B program, an additional six credits of course work is required plus four credits in EH 695 for the scholarly paper; thus the aggregate credit total for a Plan B is 40 credits as a minimum. An internship or minimum one year of related professional experience is also required for the Plan B MS degree.

The doctoral degree (PhD) requires a minimum of 72 semester credits beyond the baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 30 semester credits of the 72 required may be awarded by the graduate advisory committee (at the sole discretion of the advisory committee) for a completed masters degree.

Industrial Hygiene Educational Objectives

Demonstrate a medium (masters) to high (doctoral) level of technical and scientific competence in anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling occupational and environmental stressors.

Demonstrate an understanding of the effects of occupational and environmental agents and conditions on exposed populations as well as the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the generation of agents, factors, and stressors.

Assess the qualitative and quantitative occupational and environmental aspects of exposures assessment, dose-response, and risk characterization based on applicable pathways and modes of entry.

Recommend and evaluate engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment controls and/or other interventions to reduce or eliminate occupational and environmental hazards.

Solve complex problems through a combination of observation, literature review, measurement, and data analysis within a variety of environments using the basic scientific method.

Demonstrate competency in epidemiology and biostatistics.

Participate in the development and implementation of applicable occupational hygiene-related programs (including medical surveillance programs).

Describe and apply important legislative acts, regulations, and standards regarding occupational and environmental issues.

Identify significant gaps in the current knowledge base and be able to address those gaps.

Communicate effectively including public speaking and technical communication with a wide range of constituents and across a broad range of topics (scientific, business, social, medical and political).

Demonstrate responsible behavior according to applicable professional codes of ethics.

Understand the limits of one's knowledge and seek continuing education leading to professional certification and professional development.

Interact competently and professionally at all levels of an organization working as a fully-contributing member of a team and accepting independent work responsibilities with a high level of self-discipline.

Use knowledge, skills, and abilities to assist the general community in recognizing and mitigating occupational and environmental stressors.

Department Admission Requirements

Core requirements for admission to the Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences
(required of all graduate applicants to ERHS):

1) Minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 in all prior college-level work for regular admission
2) Official scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) within 5 years
3) A copy of the applicant’s resume or curriculum vitae
4) Written statement of background, interests, motivation, and goals
5) Three (3) Letters of Recommendation from academic or professional sources
6) Additional Ph.D. requirement: evidence of research capability
7) International Students: TOEFL minimum 550 (paper), 213 (computer)

Particular emphasis is placed on each candidate's written statement. This personal statement should be a clear and concise portrayal of the candidate's academic and professional background, their motivation to attend graduate school, their research interests and career goals, as well as any relevant strengths and distinguishing characteristics worthy of note.

Applications to the graduate program (MS, PhD) may be submitted year-round, however, prospective students who apply for Fall admission on or before March 1 will receive priority consideration for financial support.

Admission to the OEHS is based upon many factors including, but not limited to: academic strengths, undergraduate preparation, work experience, research experience, and extracurricular activities. Applications are most commonly accepted from individuals with an earned baccalaureate degree in engineering, biological, physical, behavioral, or health sciences. Admitted students usually have coursework in college-level mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics. Any additional coursework in anatomy, physiology, advanced chemistry (bio, physical, organic, inorganic, etc.), statistics, research methods, and advanced mathematics is also favorable.

Each candidate is evaluated on their individual merits and qualities. Exceptions may be granted to applicants who demonstrate particular professional promise. Such exceptions may be admitted with an individually documented plan of study to compensate for any deficiencies.

Typical Programs of Study

Required courses	Credit	Faculty	MS Plan A	MS Plan B	PhD
EH 520 Advanced Env Health	3	Ramsdell	*	*	*
EH 526 Industrial Hygiene	3	Reynolds	*	*	*
EH 532 Epidemiologic Methods	3	Bachand	*	*	*
EH 542 or 544 Biostatistics	3	Keefe	*	*	*
EH 692 D ERHS Seminar	1	Zimbrick	*	*	*
EH 693 B Colloquium (1-4)	1	Reynolds	*	*	*
Out of Department Elective approved by advisory committee	3	varies	*	*	*
EH 699 Thesis Research	4-6	varies	*
EH 695 Independent Study	4	varies		*
2 ERHS courses approved by committee	4-6	varies		*
Dissertation	15-20	varies			*
Required Electives (see below)	varies	varies	9	9	15
Total Credits (minimum)			30	40	72

Elective Courses	Credit	Faculty
EH 502 Fundamentals of Toxicology	3	Tjalkens
EH 527 Industrial Hygiene Lab	1	Brazile
EH 536 Adv Occupational Health	3	Reynolds
EH 544 Quantitative Biostatistics	3	Keefe
EH 547 Equipment & Instrumentation	3	Tessari
EH 550 Principles of Ergonomics	3	Rosecrance
EH 551 Ergonomics in Product Design	3	Rosecrance
EH 601 Advanced Toxicology	3	Ramsdell
EH 636 Industrial Hygiene Control Methods	3	Volckens
EH 648 Risk Assessment	3	Yang
EH 656 Occupational Noise Control	3	Brazile/Sandfort
EH 658 Occupational Epidemiology	3	Reif
EH 726 Aerosols and Occupational Health	3	Volckens
EH 784 Supervised College Teaching	3	varies

Typical programs take two years to complete and require 30 semester credit-hours + thesis (plan A).

Mailing Address

Environmental & Radiological Health Sciences
1681 Campus Delivery
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Phone: (970) 491-7038
Fax: (970) 491-2940
Email: ERHSDepartment