NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE AND PROTECTION
ACCREDITATION COUNCIL (EHAC)
2008 GUIDELINE REVISION PROPOSAL FORM
Deadline March 15, 2008 Issue # 2008Internal #
Submitters should use a separate form for each issue. For example, if you
are recommending changes to the requirement for more than one course,
then a separate form should be used for each recommended change.
Send comments to ehacinfo@aehap.org
Council
Accepted as
Accepted as
No Action
Recommendation: Submitted
Amended
Delegate Action:
Accepted
Rejected
All information above the line is for conference use only.
1. Title (Include Specific Section of the Guidelines for Proposed Change):
Specific Objectives and Table 2
2. Describe the issue you would like the Council to consider:
Reduce the number of required courses in the basic sciences; increase the
number of courses in the programmatic areas.
3. Rationale for Change:
The accreditation criteria require 8 semesters of basic sciences with laboratory
(typically equals about 30-32 credit hours) out of a typical 120 credit hour
curriculum. The specific objectives specify that programs must ‘provide studies
in’ these basic sciences.
There is an additional 3 courses of methods (typically 9 credit hours) –
epidemiology, statistics, and toxicology.
In the programmatic area, students are required to have in-depth study in at
least 4 areas (typically 12 credit hours) and exposure to a majority of another 19
areas. The accreditation criteria do not make clear what is mean by ‘majority.’
In any case, it seems that the curriculum is very much a basic science
curriculum with a focus on environmental health. This is good from the
perspective of graduating students with a strong science focus, but I think it
results in a fairly narrowly educated student in terms of the field.
It would seem that we would not lose much by taking the 1.5 years or equivalent
of basic sciences and allowing programs to distribute the 1.5 years between
science and programmatic areas – this provides flexibility and would allow
programs to keep the basic sciences or use the major to attract pre-med
students (would have to take the basic sciences). But, it would also allow those
programs with strength in the programmatic areas to offer their students more
depth in the field.
4. Recommended Solution (Propose specific wording)
Specific Objectives (See Table 2):
1. Provide a sound foundation of instruction in core, related and programmatic
areas.
2. Provide for an extended field training practicum or experience for each
student.
3. Provide studies in:
a. The Basic Sciences: biology, chemistry and physics.
b. Communication: written composition, public speaking and computers.
Strongly recommend additional work in technical writing.
c. Mathematics: pre-calculus. Calculus is recommended.
d. General Education: humanities and social sciences.
It is recognized that each institution has its own unique requirements or
constraints which may dictate the depth and breadth of a curriculum. The
resources at hand, including the availability and qualification of faculty, will
determine the areas and the degree of emphasis on specific subjects. The
National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council
recognizes these factors and expects variation among environmental health
curricula. The Council also recognizes that progress toward the development
of the "optimum" environmental health curriculum requires the skillful
application of imagination and creativity. The Council therefore, welcomes the
opportunity to review innovative programs and curricula in environmental health
science and protection.
A student who graduates from an accredited program will demonstrate the
following minimum learning outcome that are linked to the Environmental
Health Science and Protection Baccalaureate Curricula:
List learning outcomes here
From Table 2
B. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMMATIC AREAS:
Every student must complete in depth study in at least four technical areas given below.
Every student should be exposed to a majority of the technical areas given below.
A student may elect to complete in depth study in three additional areas (1.5 years or
equivalent) or complete additional courses in the sciences. (optional; see D.1. below)
Technical Areas:
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Air Quality Control (indoor and outdoor)
Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Epidemiology
Environmental Health Planning (Land Use, Transportation, Energy, Urban
Development and Resource Conservation)
Environmental Microbiology
Food Protection
Global Environmental Health (including population control)
Housing
Hazardous Materials
Hydrogeology
Industrial Hygiene
Injury Prevention
Institutional Health (including infection control and infectious waste)
Noise Control
Occupational Health and Safety
Radiation Health (ionizing and non-ionizing)
Recreational Environmental Health
Soils
Solid Waste Management
Vector Control
Wastewater
Water Quality
Water Supply
D. BACKGROUND AREAS
1. BASIC SCIENCES:
These courses must be the same as those offered to basic science majors.
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Biological Sciences with laboratories (to include microbiology) - one year or
equivalent.
Chemistry with laboratories (general and organic) - one year or equivalent.
Physics - one-half year or equivalent.
Basic Science - one and one-half years or equivalent (optional and recommended for
pre-med majors)
5. Submitter:
Name:
Organization:
Address:
City/State/Zip:
Telephone:
Ingrid Ritchie
School of Public and Environmental Affairs, IUPUI
801 W. Michigan, Room 4083
Indianapolis/IN/46202
1-317-274-3752
Fax: 1-317-274-7860
E-mail:
iritchie@iupui.edu
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