Environmental Science: Environmental Health/Public Health (BS/MPH)
Earn a dual bachelor's and master's degree in five years.
The environment is a powerful determinant of public health. Combining your environmental studies through Loyola's School of Environmental Sustainability (SES) with a master's degree in public health will strengthen your ability to improve public health.
CURRICULUM
Students studying Environmental Health develop a solid foundation in environmental science, environmental economics and policy, and the societal issues associated with environmental degradation.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
BS Requirements | ||
Core Curriculum | ||
ENVS 137 | Foundations of Environmental Science I | 3 |
BIOL 101 | General Biology I | 3 |
BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
CHEM 160 | Chemical Structure and Properties | 3 |
CHEM 161 | Chemical Structure and Properties Laboratory | 1 |
BIOL 102 | General Biology II | 3 |
BIOL 112 | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
CHEM 180 | Chemical Reactivity I | 3 |
CHEM 181 | Chemical Reactivity I Lab | 1 |
ENVS 200 | Environmental Careers and Professional Skills | 1 |
ENVS 203 | Environmental Statistics | 3 |
ENVS 274 | Chemistry of the Natural Environment | 3 |
ENVS 275 | Chemistry of the Environment Lab | 1 |
ENVS 280 | Principles of Ecology | 3 |
ENVS 286S | Principles of Ecology Lab | 1 |
PLSC 392 | Environmental Politics | 3 |
ENVS 300 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
ENVS 301 | Environmental Health | 3 |
ENVS 303 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
Justice and Ethics Choice | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Environmental Justice | ||
Environmental Ethics | ||
Religious Ethics and the Ecological Crisis | ||
Economics Choice | ||
ENVS 335 | Ecological Economics | 3 |
or ECON 328 | Environmental Economics | |
Engaged Learning Choice | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Science & Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems | ||
Bird Conservation and Ecology | ||
Energy and The Environment | ||
Environmental Sustainability | ||
Natural History of Belize | ||
Conservation and Sustainability of Neotropical Ecosystems | ||
Solutions to Environmental Problems: Water | ||
Solutions to Environmental Problems: Biogas | ||
Solutions to Environmental Problems: Climate Action | ||
Solutions to Environmental Problems: Food Systems | ||
Environmental Research | ||
Environmental Internship | ||
Capstone Choice | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Integrative Seminar | ||
Independent Environmental Research (Capstone) | ||
Environmental Internship (Capstone) | ||
Electives | 15 | |
See designated elective categories below | ||
MPH Core Courses | ||
MPBH 400 | Determinants of Population Health | 3 |
MPBH 402 | Public Health Practice and Management | 3 |
MPBH 403 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
MPBH 404 | Biostatistics for Health and Biological Science | 3 |
or MPBH 409 | Biostatistics I | |
MPBH 407 | Public Health Policy: Concepts and Practice | 3 |
MPBH 499 | Public Health in Action | 3 |
MPH Track-Specific Curricula | 15 | |
Total Hours | 103 |
Students accepted into this program take three or four graduate-level MPH courses during their senior year, including:
- MPBH 400 Determinants of Population Health
- MPBH 402 Public Health Practice and Management
- MPBH 407 Public Health Policy: Concepts and Practice
Plus one of four electives:
- Environmental Health
- Introduction to Global Health
- Health Impact Assessment
- Introduction to Geographic Information Systems.
BS/MS in Environmental Health/MPH students complete the remainder of their MPH curriculum within approximately 12 months after their senior year.
BS Electives
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Environmental Health and Society | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Gender, Health & Environment | ||
Climate and History | ||
Environmental Justice | ||
North American Environmental History | ||
Special Topics (with SES approval) | ||
Introduction to Environmental Law & Policy | ||
Natural Resources and Land Use Law & Policy | ||
Water Law & Policy | ||
Energy Law & Policy | ||
Ecological Economics | ||
Climate Change and Human Health | ||
Natural History of Belize | ||
Solutions to Environmental Problems: Water | ||
Solutions to Environmental Problems: Biogas | ||
Solutions to Environmental Problems: Climate Action | ||
Solutions to Environmental Problems: Food Systems | ||
Sustainable Business Management | ||
Human Dimensions of Conservation | ||
Ecological Risk Assessment | ||
Environmental Research (with SES approval) | ||
Environmental Internship (with SES approval) | ||
Special Topics (with SES approval) | ||
Directed Readings (with SES approval) | ||
Public Speaking & Critical Thinking | ||
Environmental Journalism | ||
Organizational Communication | ||
Environmental Advocacy | ||
Digital Sustainability | ||
Environmental Economics | ||
Nature in Literature | ||
Managing People and Organizations | ||
Environmental Ethics | ||
Global Environmental Politics | ||
Environmental Psychology | ||
Science, Technology, & Society | ||
Global Inequalities | ||
Environmental Sociology | ||
The Sociology and Politics of Food | ||
Global Health | ||
Religious Ethics and the Ecological Crisis | ||
Theology and Ecology | ||
Environmental Science Electives | ||
Select four of the following: | 12 | |
Gender, Health & Environment | ||
Plants and Civilization | ||
Biodiversity & Biogeography | ||
Soil Ecology | ||
Climate & Climate Change | ||
Science & Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems | ||
Environmental Sustainability | ||
Special Topics (with SES approval) | ||
Invasive Species | ||
Environmental Microbiology | ||
Sustainable Agriculture | ||
Agroecosystems | ||
Food Systems Analysis | ||
Restoration Ecology | ||
Climate Change and Human Health | ||
Solutions to Environmental Problems: Water | ||
Solutions to Environmental Problems: Biogas | ||
Solutions to Environmental Problems: Climate Action | ||
Solutions to Environmental Problems: Food Systems | ||
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | ||
Advanced GIS Applications | ||
Remote Sensing | ||
Introduction to Global Health | ||
Principles of Ecotoxicology | ||
Applied Environmental Statistics | ||
Ecological Risk Assessment | ||
Environmental Research (with SES approval) | ||
Environmental Internship (with SES approval) | ||
Special Topics (with SES approval) | ||
Directed Readings (with SES approval) | ||
The Human Ecological Footprint | ||
People and Conservation | ||
BIOL, CHEM, PHYS 300-level courses (with SES approval) | ||
Total Hours | 15 |
MPH Track-Specific Curricula
Epidemiology
This hybrid program combines online and evening classes. Epidemiology is the basic science of public health: it helps us understand the causes of and solutions to diseases. This track equips students to design, conduct, analyze, and interpret population health research, while they learn the basic principles of all public health disciplines.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
MPBH 412 | Intro to Statistical Computing for Public Health | 2 |
MPBH 421 | Biostatistics II | 3 |
MPBH 423 | Intermediate Epidemiology | 3 |
MPBH 427 | Introduction to Correlated Data Analysis | 1 |
MPBH 431 | Grant Writing | 3 |
Choose One Research Methods Course from the following: | 3 | |
The Epidemiology of Obesity: An Energy Balance Perspective | ||
Introduction to Global Health | ||
Clinical Trials | ||
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis | ||
Total Hours | 15 |
Global Health Equity
This concentration is a hybrid program of online and evening classes. Study the health of global populations with the ultimate goal of identifying and eliminating structures and practices of inequity and injustice to advance health equity for individuals and populations.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
MPBH 414 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 |
MPBH 417 | Global Maternal & Child Health | 3 |
MPBH 422 | Population Health Planning & Management | 3 |
MPBH 431 | Grant Writing | 3 |
Choose one of the following: 1 | 3 | |
Social Determinants of Health and Bioethics | ||
Global Bioethics | ||
Total Hours | 15 |
- 1
Students may choose an elective course not on this list with Track Director approval.
Public Health Policy and Management
This concentration can be completed entirely online, and also can be taken with in-person courses. This curriculum studies the organization, structure, and delivery of health-related services, and associated population health outcomes. Students may customize their academic focus in either public health policy, administration, or both.
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
MPBH 416 | Health Services Research Methods | 3 |
MPBH 425 | Policy Analysis | 3 |
Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
Justice & Health Care | ||
Biomedical Ethics and Law | ||
Social Determinants of Health and Bioethics | ||
Systems Ethics Frameworks | ||
Organizational Ethics I: Business, Professionalism, and Justice | ||
Advancing Health Equity Practice | ||
Global Bioethics | ||
Choose two of the following: | 6 | |
Policy-oriented | ||
Public Health Law: Theories and Cases | ||
Health Economics and Healthcare Financing | ||
Management-oriented | ||
Population Health Planning & Management | ||
Fiscal Management in Health Care Organizations | ||
Total Hours | 15 |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | |
BIOL 101 | General Biology I | 3 |
BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
CHEM 160 | Chemical Structure and Properties | 3 |
CHEM 161 | Chemical Structure and Properties Laboratory | 1 |
ENVS 137 | Foundations of Environmental Science I | 3 |
Hours | 11 | |
Spring | ||
BIOL 102 | General Biology II | 3 |
BIOL 112 | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
CHEM 180 | Chemical Reactivity I | 3 |
CHEM 181 | Chemical Reactivity I Lab | 1 |
ENVS 200 | Environmental Careers and Professional Skills | 1 |
ENVS 203 | Environmental Statistics | 3 |
Hours | 12 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
ENVS 280 | Principles of Ecology | 3 |
ENVS 286S | Principles of Ecology Lab | 1 |
Public Health & Environmental Science Elective | 3 | |
Hours | 7 | |
Spring | ||
ENVS 274 | Chemistry of the Environment | 3 |
ENVS 275 | Chemistry of the Environment Lab | 1 |
Justice & Ethics Choice | 3 | |
Hours | 7 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
ENVS 300 |
Introduction to Public Health or Environmental Health or Introduction to Epidemiology |
3 |
Engaged Learning Choice | 3 | |
ENVS 335 or ECON 328 |
Ecological Economics or Environmental Economics |
3 |
PLSC 392 | Environmental Politics | 3 |
Public Health & Environmental Science Elective | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
ENVS 300 |
Introduction to Public Health or Environmental Health or Introduction to Epidemiology |
3 |
Environmental Health & Society Elective | 3 | |
Hours | 6 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
ENVS 300 |
Introduction to Public Health or Environmental Health or Introduction to Epidemiology |
3 |
Public Health & Environmental Science Elective | 3 | |
MPBH 400 | Determinants of Population Health | 3 |
MPBH 402 | Public Health Practice and Management | 3 |
Hours | 12 | |
Spring | ||
Capstone Choice | 3 | |
Public Health & Environmental Science Elective | 3 | |
MPBH 407 | Public Health Policy: Concepts and Practice | 3 |
MPBH 401 | Environmental Health | 3 |
Hours | 12 | |
Year Five | ||
Fall | ||
MPBH 412 | Intro to Statistical Computing for Public Health | 2 |
MPBH 421 | Biostatistics II | 3 |
Research Methods Choice | 3 | |
Hours | 8 | |
Spring | ||
MPBH 423 | Intermediate Epidemiology | 3 |
MPBH 427 | Introduction to Correlated Data Analysis | 1 |
MPBH 431 | Grant Writing | 3 |
Hours | 7 | |
Total Hours | 97 |
Guidelines for Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs
Terms
- Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs: In this type of program, students share limited credits between their undergraduate and graduate degrees to facilitate completion of both degrees.
- Shared credits: Graduate level credit hours taken during the undergraduate program and then applied towards graduate program requirements will be referred to as shared credits.
Admission Requirements
Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs are designed to enhance opportunities for advanced training for Loyola’s undergraduates. Admission to these programs must be competitive and will depend upon a positive review of credentials by the program’s admissions committee. Accordingly, the admission requirements for these programs may be higher than those required if the master’s degree were pursued entirely after the receipt of a bachelor’s degree. That is, programs may choose to have more stringent admissions requirements in addition to those minimal requirements below.
Requirements:
- Declared appropriate undergraduate major,
- By the time students begin taking graduate courses as an undergraduate, the student has completed approximately 90 credit hours, or the credit hours required in a program that is accredited by a specialty organization,1
- A minimum cumulative GPA for coursework at Loyola that is at or above the program-specific requirements, a minimum major GPA that is at or above the program-specific requirements, and/or appropriate designated coursework for evaluation of student readiness in their discipline.2
Students not eligible for the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program (e.g., students who have not declared the appropriate undergraduate major) may apply to the master’s program through the regular admissions process. Students enrolled in an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program who choose not to continue to the master’s degree program upon completion of the bachelor’s degree will face no consequences.3
Ideally, a student will apply for admission (or confirm interest in proceeding towards the graduate degree in opt-out programs) as they approach 90 credit hours. Programs are encouraged to begin advising students early in their major so that they are aware of the program and, if interested, can complete their bachelor’s degree requirements in a way that facilitates completion of the program. Once admitted as an undergraduate, Program Directors should ensure that students are enrolled using the plan code associated with the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program. Using the plan code associated with the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program will ensure that students may be easily identified as they move through the program. Students will not officially matriculate into the master’s degree program and be labeled as a graduate student by the university, with accompanying changes to tuition and Financial Aid (see below), until the undergraduate degree has been awarded. Once admitted to the graduate program, students must meet the academic standing requirements of their graduate program as they complete the program curriculum.
- 1
Programs that have specialized accreditation will adhere to the admissions criteria provided by, or approved by, their specialized accreditors.
- 2
The program will identify appropriate indicators of student readiness for graduate coursework (e.g., high-level performance in 300 level courses). Recognizing differences between how majors are designed, we do not specify a blanket requirement.
- 3
If students choose not to enroll in the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program, they still must complete all of the standard requirements associated with the undergraduate degree (e.g., a capstone).
For more information on Admissions requirements, visit here.
Curriculum
Level and progression of courses. The Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs are designed to be competitive and attractive to our most capable students. Students admitted to Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs should be capable of meeting graduate level learning outcomes. Following guidance from the Higher Learning Commission, only courses taken at the 400 level or higher (including 300/400 level courses taken at the 400 level) will count toward the graduate program.1,2 Up to 50% of the total graduate level credit hours, required in the graduate program, may come from 300/400 level courses where the student is enrolled in the 400 level of the course. Further, at least 50% of the credit hours for the graduate program must come from courses that are designed for and restricted to graduate students who have been admitted to a graduate program at Loyola (e.g., enrolled in plan code that indicates the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program, typically ending with the letter “D”).3
In general, graduate level coursework should not be taken prior to admission into the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program. Exceptions may be granted for professional programs where curriculum for the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program is designed to begin earlier. On the recommendation of the program’s Graduate Director, students may take one of their graduate level courses before they are admitted to the Accelerated Bachelors/Master’s program if they have advanced abilities in their discipline and course offerings warrant such an exception.4 Undergraduate degree requirements outside of the major are in no way impacted by admission to an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program.5
Shared credits. Undergraduate courses (i.e., courses offered at the 300 level or below) cannot be counted as shared credits nor count towards the master’s degree. Up to 50% of the total graduate level credit hours, required in the graduate program, may be counted in meeting both the undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. Of those shared credits, students in an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program should begin their graduate program with the standard introductory course(s) for the program whenever possible. So that students may progress through the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program in a timely manner, undergraduate programs are encouraged to design their curriculum such that a student can complete some required graduate credit hours while completing the undergraduate degree. For instance, some of the graduate curriculum should also satisfy electives for the undergraduate major.
The program’s Graduate Director will designate credit hours to be shared through the advising form and master’s degree conferral review process. Shared credit hours will not be marked on the undergraduate record as having a special status in the undergraduate program. They will be included in the student’s undergraduate earned hours and GPA. Graduate credit hours taken during the undergraduate program will not be included in the graduate GPA calculation.
- 1
If students wish to transfer credits from another university to Loyola University Chicago, the program’s Graduate director will review the relevant syllabus(es) to determine whether it meets the criteria for a 400 level course or higher.
- 2
Programs with specialized accreditation requirements that allow programs to offer graduate curriculum to undergraduate students will conform to those specialized accreditation requirements.
- 3
In rare cases, the Graduate Director may authorize enrollment in a 400-level course for a highly qualified and highly motivated undergraduate, ensuring that the undergraduate's exceptional participation in the graduate class will not diminish in any way the experience of the graduate students regularly enrolled.
- 4
For example, if a particular course is only offered once every 2-3 years, and a student has demonstrated the necessary ability to be successful, the Graduate Director may allow a student to take a graduate level course to be shared prior to the student being formally admitted to the graduate program. See, also, footnote 3.
- 5
Students should not, for example, attempt to negotiate themselves out of a writing intensive requirement on the basis of admission to a graduate program.
Graduation
Degrees are awarded sequentially. All details of undergraduate commencement are handled in the ordinary way as for all students in the School/College/Institute. Once in the graduate program, students abide by the graduation deadlines set forth by the graduate program. Students in these programs must be continuously enrolled from undergraduate to graduate degree program unless given explicit permission by their program for a gap year or approved leave of absence. In offering the option of an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program, the university is making possible the acceleration of a student’s graduate degree completion. It should be understood that students may not request deferral of their matriculation into the Master’s degree program. If students would like to delay their graduate studies after earning the undergraduate degree, they may apply for admission to the traditional master’s degree program. Any application of graduate credit earned while in the undergraduate program is subject to the policies of the graduate degree granting school.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
You will graduate with public health competencies in the areas of quantitative and qualitative data collection, evidence-based approaches, public health and health care systems, planning and management, policy, leadership, communication, interprofessional practice, and systems thinking. More specifically, public health foundational competencies attained through the MPH curriculum. Graduates of the BS/MPH programs will attain the following:
- Evidence-based Approaches to Public Health: Apply epidemiological methods to the breadth of settings and situations in public health practice; Select quantitative and qualitative data collection methods appropriate for a given public health context; Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using biostatistics, informatics, computer-based programming and software, as appropriate; and Interpret results of data analysis for public health research, policy or practice.
- Public Health & Health Care Systems: Compare the organization, structure and function of health care, public health and regulatory systems across national and international settings; and Discuss the means by which structural bias, social inequities and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community and societal levels.
- Planning & Management to Promote Health: Assess population needs, assets and capacities that affect communities’ health; Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design or implementation of public health policies or programs; Design a population-based policy, program, project or intervention; Explain basic principles and tools of budget and resource management; and Select methods to evaluate public health programs.
- Policy in Public Health: Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence; Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for influencing public health outcomes; Advocate for political, social or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations; and Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity.
- Leadership: Apply principles of leadership, governance and management, which include creating a vision, empowering others, fostering collaboration and guiding decision making; and Apply negotiation and mediation skills to address organizational or community challenges.
- Communication: Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors; Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation; and Describe the importance of cultural competence in communicating public health content.
- Interprofessional Practice: Perform effectively on interprofessional teams.
- Systems Thinking: Apply systems thinking tools to a public health issue.
- BS Learning Outcomes: Examine the sources of environmental degradation and their impacts on health; Apply the tools of public health to characterize the impacts on community health using a planetary health perspective; Integrate environmental regulatory policies to evaluate the health impacts at local and global scales; Incorporate critical public health and environmental health justice perspectives into environmental and human dimensions; and Gain foundation in public health competencies in the areas of evidence-based approaches, public health and health care systems, planning and management, policy, leadership, communication, inter-professional practice, and systems thinking.
SES Shared Learning Outcomes
All SES majors share the following Program Learning Objectives, in addition to their unique major-specific Program Learning Objectives:
1. Articulate the foundational principles of natural and social sciences and humanities essential to solving environmental problems.
2. Critically evaluate the accuracy and credibility of information relating to environmental topics.
3. Employ knowledge and skills to design and implement solutions that contribute to a just and sustainable world.
4. Exemplify the values of environmental and social justice through actions to care for our common home and one another.