Doctor of Philosophy 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 M.Sc in Environmental Science, or related disciplinese.g.

natural resources, environmental health, public health, etc. from Egerton University or

any other recognized university.

156.4 Course Structure and Duration of Study

The programme will extend for a minimum period of 36 months and a maximum of 72

months. The programme shall be conducted by independent research and thesis,

Thesis Examination

All candidates enrolled for the Ph.D. degree in Environmental and Occupational Health

shall be required to conduct independent research, leading to writing of a thesis. The

defense of the thesis shall be conducted in accordance with the rules established in

Egerton University Statutes.

Examination regulations

All examinations for the Doctor of Philosophy 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 Ph.D. in Environmental and Occupational Health shall be

in accordance with Egerton University Statute XXIX.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate with a Ph.D. in Environmental and Occupational Health a student shall be

required to undertake supervised independent research, submit thesis and pass an oral

examination.

Degree Classification

The Ph.D. in Environmental and Occupational Health is not classified