Master of Science in Environmental and Occupational Health
Rationale
The primary goal of Environmental and Occupational Health is preventing disease and
promoting the health of humans. It is devoted to prevention and management of
occupational and environmental injury, illness and disability, and promotion of health and
productivity of workers, their families, and communities. This entails recognizing,
assessing, understanding and controlling the impacts of people on their environment and
the impacts of the environment on the people. Complexity of the problems require
multidisciplinary approaches. Graduates will acquire knowledge to help them understand
intrinsic mechanisms relating health and environment; an awareness of the most pressing
environmental health concerns that challenge populations around the globe; and a general
knowledge of current research on how environmental change affects human health and
vice versa.
Our environment is a complex network of physical, chemical, biological, and ecological
components that make up the natural world. There is increasing concern that
environmental degradation caused by human activities could translate into serious, long-term health effects for human populations. This is after the realization that almost every
disease has an environmental component. In addition, there is increasing demand from
both industry and enforcement agencies to integrate occupational health, safety and
environmental issues. This course will contribute to the resolution of these issues by
producing professionals who have the ability to identify, evaluate and provide solutions to
a wide range of health, safety and/or environmental problems, and function well in a
multi-disciplinary team.
Programmme Objectives
Develop Environmental Science Department at Egerton University into a recognized
centre of excellence in Environmental and Occupational Health research and training.
Train professionals who understand how environmental risk factors can cause diseases.
Produce graduates who can work as environmental and occupational health specialists,
risk assessors, and project managers as well as work in health research institutions and
industry.
Admission Requirements
Applicants should be holders of B.Sc in Environmental Science, or related discipline se.g.
natural resources, environmental health, public health, etc. with a minimum of second
class honours degree upper division. from Egerton University or any other recognized
university. However, candidates with second class honours lower division. shall be
considered if supported with two years of work experience.
Course Structure and Duration of Study
The programme will extend for a minimum period of 18 months and a maximum of 24
months, of which the first 12 months must be spent in the University doing course work.
The rest of the period will be spent on thesis research. The programme consists of course
work, examination and thesis. At least forty five (45) credit factors of graduate work are
required for the award of the degree of which the thesis will be 15 credit factors.
All candidates shall conduct independent research, under the direction of a subject
specialist, write and submit a thesis, in partial fulfillment for Master of Science in
Environmental and Occupational Health. The thesis shall be awarded grade ‗P‘ if
accepted or ‗F‘ if it is not. The regulations of the Board of Post Graduate Studies of
Egerton University shall apply in the Submission and examination of theses.
Courses leading to the degree of M.Sc in Environmental and Occupational Health shall be
coded ENSH. Course numbers shall be coded and serialized from 710 and above. The
first digit denotes a graduate-level course, the second one denotes semester when the
course is offered whereas the third digit indicates the sequence of the course in the
programme. Courses borrowed from the other programmes/departments will maintain
their codes.
Examination regulations
All examinations for the MSc in Environmental and Occupational Health shall be
conducted in accordance with examination regulations as stipulated in Egerton University
Statute XXIX.
Grading
The grading of examination for MSc Environmental and Occupational Health shall be in
accordance with Egerton University Statute XXIX.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate with MSc. Environmental and Occupational Health a student shall be
required to take and pass all required courses within the stipulated time.
Degree Classification
The MSc Environmental and Occupational Health is not classified