Bachelor of Environmental Public Health (Honours)

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Environmental Public Health (Honours) program at Conestoga College prepares students for careers as environmental public health professionals. The program emphasizes disease prevention, environmental epidemiology, toxicology, and risk assessment. Graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to work in various public and private sectors, including government agencies, public health units, and environmental consulting firms.

Program Outline

Bachelor of Environmental Public Health (Honours) - Conestoga College

Degree Overview:

Program Description:

The Bachelor of Environmental Public Health (BEPH) is a four-year program offered at the honours level. It prepares students for careers as environmental public health professionals (EPHPs) in various public and private sectors. The program has been accredited by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI).

Objectives:

• To equip students with applied and integrated knowledge and skills in EPH sciences, emphasizing environmental epidemiology, toxicology, and risk exposure and assessment.
• To develop students' readiness for practice through a multidisciplinary curriculum focused on experiential learning activities.
• To foster students' critical thinking, risk assessment, and professional communication skills.
• To cultivate students' leadership perspectives and confidence to contribute to the EPH professions.

Program Highlights:

• Focus on disease prevention and creating healthy environments.
• Scope of practice includes organization, management, education, enforcement, consultation, and health hazard identification.
• Addresses areas like food safety, infection prevention, air quality, housing, injury prevention, water quality, and emergency preparedness.
• Emphasis on understanding multiple perspectives in EPH practice and policy.

Outline:

Program Content:

• Environmental Public Health Sciences
• Environmental Epidemiology
• Toxicology
• Risk Exposure and Assessment
• Public Health Policy and Management
• Environmental Health Law and Ethics
• Community Health Promotion
• Environmental Communication
• Research Methods
• Experiential Learning Activities

Structure:

• Four-year program with one paid co-op term.
• Full-time delivery.
• Combination of lectures, tutorials, labs, and field experiences.

Assessment:

• Continuous assessment through assignments, presentations, exams, and projects.
• Emphasis on demonstrating knowledge, skills, and professional competencies.
• Specific assessment criteria and methods may vary depending on the course or module.

Teaching:

• Experienced faculty with expertise in environmental public health.
• Guest speakers and industry professionals provide real-world insights.
• Collaborative learning environment that encourages active participation.
• Extensive use of technology and online resources.

Careers:

Potential Career Paths:

• Environmental Public Health Inspector
• Environmental Health Officer
• Food Safety Inspector
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialist
• Public Health Educator
• Environmental Consultant
• Policy Analyst
• Researcher

Career Opportunities:

• Government agencies
• Public health units
• Environmental consulting firms
• Food and beverage industry
• Non-profit organizations
• Research institutions

Career Outcomes:

• Graduates are prepared for diverse career paths in environmental public health.
• Strong job prospects in a growing field.
• Opportunities to contribute to the protection of public health and the environment.

Other:

• Graduates of relevant diploma or degree programs may apply for transfer credits to bridge into the BEPH (Honours) program.
• Specific details may vary depending on the program start date and campus location.