Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Health Science Rational of the programme Since its inception, there have been significant changes in the scope of the field of Environmental Health. To reflect such changes, the definition of environmental health currently given by WHO is wider in its scope relative to the concept of sanitation used in earlier times. Therefore a considerable shift has occurred from biological concern to the new concept of environmental health, which also includes physical, chemical, and social aspects of the environment. The need for Environmental health Science in Ethiopia appears more pressing and timely for three main reasons. 1) The focus of health policy of the government of Ethiopia is primarily on preventive care. To meet major aspect of the care is to give emphasis to environmental health services, hence fulfilling the policy requirement. 2) The major attributes to most health and disease problems and the disease out breaks in Ethiopia are related to poor environmental health conditions. Ethiopia experiences continued out- breaks of major communicable diseases such as diarrheal, diseases malaria, typhoid fever, typhus and the like which are related to water and human wastes. Thus health service in Ethiopia will not be complete neglecting environmental health services. 3) The need to address newly emerging environmental problems requires training of qualified good number of these professionals. It is obvious that the changes Ethiopia is undergoing to increase productivity and industrial growth will have adverse environmental health challenges unless pro-actively tackled through qualified professionals in the field. Objectives of the programme The generic BSc Environmental health training program will have the following major objectives: 1
1. To train Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) who are capable of designing environmental health policy, legislation, standards and guidelines related to environmental health disciplines. 2. To train Environmental Health Officer who are cable of developing and executing appropriate low cost environmental health technologies for communities. 3. To produce competent Environmental Health Officers that will be engaged in teaching environmental health sciences and technologies in health training schools and other settings. 4. To train Environmental Health Officers who are capable of planning, organizing coordinating, monitoring and evaluating environmental health services and programs in the country. 5. To train with adequate insight the professionals on aspects of applied research so that many of the rudimentary environmental related health related health problems will have practical solutions. 6. To train professionals capable of responding to current and potential global environmental health concerns. 7. To train professionals with insights and capabilities of linking environmental problems to health and well-being issues Professional Profiles 1. Working in partnership with Government Ministries (such as Health, Agriculture and Environment), local municipalities, businesses, community groups, other agencies and individual members of the community, to play a major role in protecting public health. 2. Have strong investigative skills and a thorough understanding of the application of legislation related to public health and the environment. 3. Equipped with sound understanding of microbiology, risk assessment, environmental science and technology, food science, as well as the application of such skills and knowledge related to the tracking and control of communicable disease. 4. Continuous involvement in research, policy dialogue, and up-to-date scientific knowledge in both national and international context to better understand the real problems of the community. 5. Take partin formulating constructive suggestions in various development issues in the country cognizant of new scientific findings and be able to influence policy makers 6. Investigate indigenous community health problem solving knowledge and skills to the application of such knowledge to the prevention and control of public health problems 2
Graduate Profile Serve as an Environmental Health Officer at the health service and other relevant institutions. 1. Coordinate promotive, preventive and disease controlling programs at various levels of the Ministry of Health and other relevant institutions. 2. Play a major role in outbreak investigation and control of diseases at all levels. 3. Expert in policy development and planning in environmental health issues at the national and regional level. 4. Monitor and evaluate environmental health activities and services at the national, regional, zonal and Woreda levels. 5. Identifying, sampling, analysing, interpreting and intervene environmental pollutants. 6. Undertake promotive and preventive measures to safeguard the health of the workers with respect to occupational health and safety rules and regulations in different working setup such as industries, enterprises, firms, institutions etc. 7. Offer Training, assist and conduct research activities in the environment, environmental health and health related areas 8. Inspect public service providing institutions, establishments, industries and residential areas, etc, in order to ensure public health. 9. Undertake environmental risks and impacts assessment. 10. Involve in planning, zoning and sanitation activities of towns and cities with municipality. 11. Participate in development of standards and guidelines for health and environment. 12. Serve as quarantine and hygiene officer in ports and international boundaries. 13. Work together with Environmental Protection Agency Offices and other sectors on issues linked to environmental health and safety. 14. Experts in vector borne disease epidemiology and control activities. 15. Participate actively in the management of health service delivery system. 16. Serve in product and environmental quality control activities 17. Participate in disaster/emergency management situations 18. Play a major role in ecological conservation, rehabilitation and protection of environmental pollutions 3
Admission Requirements Candidates to be admitted to the B.Sc program should fulfil the following requirements: 1. Candidates must meet the government educational policy regarding higher education criteria for acceptance i.e. Preparatory completed or equivalent. 2. Advance standing students who have graduated with diploma in Environmental Health from recognized universities or regional colleges and holding certificates justifying for preparatory completed or equivalent. 3. Candidates who fulfil the basic requirements stipulated as above must pass entrance exam and interview set by the University. Duration of the training The duration of the course leading to B.Sc. Degree in Environmental Health shall be four years after preparatory. Mode of Delivery All courses will be administered on a block-wise and semester basis. Block-wise mode of delivery in this context is the delivery of a particular course or module separately in a defined period of time without shifting or offering other courses at the same time whenever it is necessary. Mode of delivery for modules and courses are also treated under each module and course sub-section. Teaching Learning Strategies The teaching-learning strategies used to implement this program are student centered and problem- solving approaches. Therefore, the following major teaching methods will be used to guide these strategies. The methods are illustrative lecture; science laboratory practice; tutorial; group discussion; seminar; term paper; community health survey: rural health practice: and research project. Assessment and Evaluation System The overall student s workload in ECTS credit point is 240, with 30 ECTS/ semester in most cases. Evaluation will be in the form of formative and summative assessment. Mainly progressive/continuous assessment of not less than 50% of the total mark for each course with in 4
the module. The assessment includes qualitative and quantitative data. It will be supported by immediate and continuous feedback. Criterion-referenced fixed scale grading system will be applied. Formative assessment consists of, Log book in various practical assessments Case presentation and management skills Laboratory & community practical Supervision Assessment of practical skills Quizzes at the end of chapters as necessary Individual & group exercises and assignments Follow up and progress report Summativeassessment:consists of: Final written examination Practical examination Oral examination Internal comprehensive examination External examination Senior research work Grading Scale and Letter Grade System Raw Mark Interval-[100 %] Corresponding Fixed NumberGrade Corresponding LetterGrade Status Description Class Description [90, 100) 4.0 A + Excellent First class with [85, 90) 4.0 A Great Distinction [80, 85) 3.75 A - [75, 80) 3.5 B + Very Good Firstclasswith [70, 75) 3.0 B Distinction [65, 70) 2.75 B - Good First Class [60, 65) 2.5 C + Second Class [50, 60) 2.0 C Satisfactory [45, 50) 1.75 C - Unsatisfactory Lower Class [40, 45) 1.0 D Very poor Lower Class [30, 40) 0 Fx Fail * Lower Class 5
Remarks [<30) 0 F Fail Lower Class 1. A student cannot graduate with a grade of less than 2.0 out of the 4-scale grading system. Therefore, he/she should at least score a minimum of C and above which is 50% of the competency. 2. A student with C - can pass to the next semester if it is first semester period and it increases with level/year of students. A student with a good stand can graduate if he/she scores C - in any course under module. However, if the C - grade is for a Module or for a course as a module, he/she must re-sit for another exam to remove C -. 3. A student with all Ds cannot pass to the next semester. A student with a good stand can pass to the next semester and even can graduate if he/she scores D in any course under module. However, if the D grade is for a Module or for a course as a module, he/she must re-sit for another exam to remove D. 4. A student with Fx must sit re-exam with minor support for two times and the grade will be any of what a student can score. 5. A student with F must repeat the course/module for two times and the grade will be any of what a student can score Graduation Requirement Must have completed all courses of the program CGPA of at least 2.00 No F grade in any of the courses taken No D grade in professional courses labelled as EnvH Pass Qualifying Examinations with minimum of 60% in each: At least 42/70 marks (internal (70%) and At least 18/30 marks (external (30%) graded as P/F 6
Degree of Nomenclature The degree to be offered to the graduate will be The Degree ofbachelor of Science in Environmental Health Professional Profile The graduate shall be called Environmental Health Officer and will be entitled for all the benefits under this title. Quality Assurance Measures: It will be assured by regular assessment of student performances according to the components of quality assurance. Structure evaluation: focus on the environment in which care is provided (facilities, equipment, Policies, Procedures, curriculum etc...) Process evaluation: focus on the nature & sequence of activities carried out by environmental health professional in implementing their knowledge, skill & Experience they acquire. Outcome evaluations: focus on measurable changes in the health status of the community. In addition to these, both formative and summative evaluations will be employed to assess the quality of the curriculum. Formative assessments which includes practical write-ups, internships, essays, assessment of practical skills, mid-term examination, term papers, and thesis are paramount important to assess the attainment of the curriculum s objectives. At the end of the semester, at the completion of the study years, internal and external examination (oral, written & Practical examination) will be given. Course Standardization In order to maintain the standard of the course offerings each module & individual course in the curriculum has its own standardized course syllabus with time frames to be used. Instructors are expected to get course feedback from students and by themselves and make necessary adjustments during and after implementation of the course. There will be continues assessment and monitoring of student evaluation procedures. Above all, the students will be assessed by the 7
external examiner(s) at the end of the program. The department will also do a benchmark visit with other similar institutions in the country and adjusts it for better quality of education. The department refers different internationally accepted competence standards; communicate with high quality universities found in the world though visiting their activities and by using different means Structure of the Program: Modular Category and Mode of Administration No Module Mode of ECTS in Module Title category delivery Module 1 General Module 1: English Language Skill Parallel 10 46 Module 2: Mathematics 10 Module 3: Information and Block 5 Communication Technology Module 4: Civics and Ethical education 5 Module 5: Psychology 3 Module 6: Sociology 3 Total ECTS in Category Module 7: Chemistry 10 2 Supportive Module 8: Biomedical Science 16 40 Module 10 : Health system research 13 Module 20: Health service management 11 3 Core Module 9 : Health promotion and disease 23 159 control Module 11: Introductory Environmental 20 Engineering Module 12 : Community Based Education 10 Module 23: Environmental health practice 23 and research Module 13: Water and wastewater 20 management Module 14: Environmental Quality 10 analysis Module 15: Air pollution control 7 Module 16: Ecology and Environmental 5 Module 17: Food Protection 8 Module 18: Solid and hazardous waste 7 management 8
Module 19: Occupational health and 5 safety Module 21: Environmental impact 15 assessment and risk management Module 22: Environmental health policy 6 and economics Module 24: Community based Education Block 5 II* Total ECTS 250 250 9
1.1.1 Overall Course Summary of the Program S/N Course Title Course Code ECTS 1. Communicative English skill Enla1011 5 2. Basic writing skill Enla1012 5 3. Applied mathematics I Math1021 5 4. Applied mathematics II Math1022 5 5. Information and communication technology Comp1031 5 6. Civics and Ethical education Cvet1041 5 7. Introduction to Psychology Psyc1051 3 8. Introduction to Sociology Soci1061 3 9. Organic Chemistry Chem1071 5 10. Analytical Chemistry Chem1072 5 11. Human Anatomy Huan1081 3 12. Human Physiology Huan1082 4 13. Biochemistry Bioc1083 3 14. Medical microbiology Mbio1084 3 15. Medical parasitology Mbio1085 3 16. Introduction to Environmental Health Envh1091 2 17. Communicable Disease Control Comh1092 5 18. Medical Entomology and Vector control Envh1093 7 19. Health Education And Promotion Comh1094 4 20. Community Nutrition Comh1095 5 21. Biostatistics Comh2101 5 22. Epidemiology Comh2102 5 23. Research Methods Comh2103 3 24. Surveying and mapping Envh2111 3 25. Introduction to GIS and remote sensing Envh2112 3 26. Applied Engineering Drawing Envh2113 4 27. Sanitary Construction Envh2114 5 28. Residential and institutional health Envh2115 5 29. CBTP I Envh2121 5 30. CBTP II Envh2122 5 31. Water Supply Envh3131 5 32. Water quality management Envh3132 5 33. Onsite sanitation Envh3133 3 34. Waste water management and engineering Envh3134 7 35. Environmental biological analysis Envh3141 5 36. Environmental Physico-chemical analysis Envh3142 5 37. Environmental Chemistry Envh3151 2 38. Air pollution Envh3152 5 39. Ecology and Environment Envh3161 5 10
40. Food microbiology Envh3171 3 41. Food Protection and Safety Envh3172 5 42. Solid Waste Management Envh3181 5 43. Hazardous Waste Management Envh3182 2 44. CBTP III* Envh3241 5 45. Occupational health and safety Envh4191 5 46. Health Service Management and planning Comh4201 5 47. Health economics Comh4202 2 48. Monitoring and evaluation Comh4203 2 49. Health informatics Comh4204 2 50. Environmental Toxicology Envh4211 5 51. Disaster Prevention and Management Envh4212 2 52. First Aid and accident prevention Envh4213 2 53. Environmental impact assessment Envh4214 3 54. Environmental epidemiology Envh4215 3 55. Environmental Economics Envh4221 2 56. Environmental Health professional Ethics Envh4222 2 57. Environmental health law Envh4223 2 58. Project development and management Envh4231 3 59. Professional Practice I Envh4232 3 60. Professional Practice II Envh4233 5 61. Research project Envh4234 5 62. TTP Envh4235 7 Total ECTS 250 11