Environmental Health Science is the study of the biological,
chemical or physical agents occurring naturally or introduced into the
environment and their effects on human health and the environment. It includes
a study of human activities, a vital component in our complex ecosystem and
serves the general welfare by safeguarding and improving the quality of food,
shelter, air, water and other natural resources.
Undergraduate Education in EHS
Environmental Health Science involves multiple scientific fields of study. The first two years are spent taking basic and advanced courses in biology, chemistry, physics, math, microbiology, in addition to other UGA core requirements. During the junior and senior years, students take applied environmental health science courses in such areas as air, water and noise pollution; solid and hazardous waste management; environmental toxicology; industrial hygiene; food microbiology; epidemiology; and public health law. In addition to the required courses, students have considerable freedom in choosing additional courses of special interest (Major Electives). Students may choose courses among offerings from EHS and a variety of other departments to focus on a specialty area, including Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Protection or Public Health.
The EHS major is a rigorous, science-based, applied
curriculum that prepares students for careers in environmental fields. It can
also be used as a step to an advanced degree in many fields including
environmental health, industrial hygiene, toxicology, public health,
epidemiology, ecology and environmental engineering, and will satisfy entrance
requirements for professional degree programs such as medicine, veterinary
medicine, dentistry, optometry and pharmacy. Students who successfully complete
the program of study receive the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health
(B.S.E.H.) Degree. The degree program is nationally accredited and is the only
undergraduate Environmental Health Science degree in