Environmental Health and Safety Program

Director: Charles W. McGlothlin, Jr.

Assistant professor: Richard O. Olawoyin

Special instructor: Charles W. McGlothlin, Jr.

Full-time adjunct instructor: Patrick R. Frazee

Adjunct assistant professors: Thomas W. Schenk, Darryl C. Hill

Adjunct instructors: David N. Andrews, Malcom E. Dunbar

Environmental Health and Safety is a specified branch of the health engineering professions, focusing on the environmental protection and occupational safety. Protecting America’s workers, the environment and the general public from injury and illness in today’s age of technological advancement has become one of the most challenging and rewarding professions available. Environmental Health and Safety professionals strive to identify, evaluate and eliminate or control hazards which expose people, property or the environment to danger or harm. The EHS profession applies fundamental exposure assessment techniques (both qualitative and quantitative) for environmental health protection, particularly; the physiological and/or toxicological interactions of physical, chemical, biological, mechanical, electrical and ergonomic agents, factors, and/or stressors with the human body. EHS also aims to prevent occupational injuries, diseases or illnesses that may occur in the work environment. In addition, the EHS professional is involved in the prevention of accidents that could cause property or environmental damages.

The Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) program is multi-disciplinary in nature, providing students with relevant exposure to basic sciences and behavioral science subjects as well as a thorough introduction to environmental health, occupational safety and industrial hygiene concepts. A one-semester internship in the senior year of the program provides students with first-hand field experience in the practice of environmental health and safety. Internship placements are coordinated by the program director and include manufacturing, insurance, health care, energy and engineering, construction, service, consulting, labor, and government organizations.

Graduates of the program will find employment opportunities in a wide variety of occupations, including: health care facilities; industrial firms; petrochemical and energy; construction companies; insurance companies; professional associations; local, state, and federal government; and labor organizations. Oakland University’s proximity to many of the national’s leading industrial companies provides a wealth of experiential learning opportunities throughout the EHS curriculum, particularly for the internship placements. These world class companies also offer employment opportunities to the EHS graduate.

Program Educational Objectives

The Environmental Health and Safety program contributes to the institution’s mission by offering a high-quality baccalaureate degree that meets and exceeds the educational outcomes-based criteria established by the American Society of Safety Engineers for a B.S. degree in a safety-related career field. The educational objectives of the Environmental Health and Safety program are to prepare graduates to become effective safety and health professionals. During their first five years after graduation, graduates will demonstrate their ability to:

Demonstrate excellent technical capabilities in evaluating & controlling environmental/ workplace hazardous conditions and practices.
Effectively analyze & develop cost effective safe operating procedures and EHS programs.
Work collaboratively and effectively with colleagues, managers and citizens in building a safe productive organization and community.
Be responsible citizens and effectively work with labor & mgt. in addressing workplace EHS issues.
Apply sound design methodology in multidisciplinary areas to measure, evaluate and analyze EHS performance.
Uphold professional, environmental, cultural, diversity, ethical standards and contemporary knowledge in EHS practice.
Continue their professional advancement through life-long learning.
Enhance the community through civic responsibility and the promotion of economic development.
Competently use mathematical methods, engineering analysis and computations, and measurement and instrumentation techniques for compliance to EHS standards, regulations & codes.
Practice effective oral and written communication skills.
Demonstrate Leadership in the Profession by active participation in EHS organizations.

Student Outcomes

Baccalaureate degree students graduating from the Environmental Health and Safety program at Oakland University will demonstrate the ability to:

Design and evaluate a comprehensive safety and health program.
Use the techniques, skills and modern scientific and technical tools necessary for professional practice.
Be proficient in written composition and oral communications.
Apply science knowledge to solve problems using algebra, statistics, human physiology and anatomy, physics, chemistry, as it pertains to EHS practice.
Anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and develop control strategies for hazardous conditions and work practices.
Identify and apply applicable standards, regulations, and codes for hazard control and work programs.
Work effectively on multidisciplinary teams.
Design, conduct experiments, analyze and interpret data to provide control solutions to EHS issues.
Recognize and appreciate professional and ethical responsibilities of EHS professionals.
Synthesize contemporary EHS issues and the impacts of their solutions within a global and societal context.
Engage in continued professional development through graduate study, professional cert. and to become lifelong learners.

Grade Point Policy

Environmental Health and Safety majors must achieve minimum course grades of 2.0 in all math and science courses. Environmental Health and Safety majors and minors must achieve minimum course grades of 2.5 in all required EHS courses. A final course grade below the required minimum places a student on probation, which requires a meeting with the program director or a designated representative to discuss a method of remediation. In most cases, the method of remediation involves repeating the course in which the unsatisfactory grade was earned. See repeating courses for additional information.

Schedule of classes

Specific offerings for each semester may be found in the Schedule of Classes.

Environmental Health and Safety Program

Program Educational Objectives

Student Outcomes

Grade Point Policy

Schedule of classes

Programs

Courses