MSc Occupational Health

 

NOTE: Effective September 2017, we are no longer admitting students to the master of science program in occupational health.

The master of science (MSc) program in occupational health aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to investigate and assess occupational health, to manage an occupational health service and to provide occupational health services.

This program provides a required core of training in health services administration, toxicology, epidemiology, biostatistics and industrial hygiene. In addition, students can specialize through their choice of a major topic through optional courses in the School of Public Health or throughout the University of Alberta.

As a graduate of this degree program, you will:

  1. have an in-depth understanding of occupational and environmental health;
  2. have the basic knowledge to manage an occupational health service;
  3. be able to carry out research activity related to occupational and environmental health;
  4. have the basic knowledge to continue further training in occupational medicine or hygiene to the specialist professional level
  5. understand the framework within which health policy decisions are or should be made;
  6. be able to critically evaluate the scientific literature related to occupational and environmental health.

Core Courses

These courses are required in order to complete this program.

SPH 555 - Foundations of Public Health Research (*3)
SPH 561 - Topics in Public Health: Epidemiology Module(s) (*1)
SPH 596 - Epidemiology Methods I (*2)

Specialization Courses

These courses are required for this specialization.

SPH 520 - Occupational and Environmental Diseases (*3)
SPH 521 - Occupational Hygiene (*3)
SPH 522 - Principles of Toxicology (*3)
SPH 531 - Statistical Methods in Health Research (*3)

 

Electives

Students are required to complete *6 of graduate level coursework as approved by their supervisor. For more information, see Electives.

Thesis

(*3, *6 or *9 per term as required)

Students will successfully complete and defend a thesis on a research topic in the program area, defined in consultation with the student's supervisory committee. The scope and quality of the thesis should normally be appropriate to form the basis for a refereed journal publication.

As you prepare to defend your thesis, in the Final Oral Examination, you will want to become familiar with the Master's Final Oral Examinations Procedures.

Residency Requirement

The minimum period of residence is two four-month terms of full-time registration.

Length of Program

The time required to complete the program will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken; a minimum of two years is normally required. The maximum time permitted or completion of the program is four years (full or part time) from the date of first registration.