Environmental Health and Safety Technology, Associate of Applied Science
Information
Environmental Health & Safety Technology (EHST) is a specialized branch of the health professions focusing on the environment of workers. Professionals in this field strive to find and eliminate conditions in the workplace that may result in occupational injury or disease. This is achieved through a process of anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of the various stresses that contribute to unsafe working environments.
The EHST program is multi-disciplinary in nature, providing students with relevant exposure to disciplines including biological, chemical, physical, mathematical, and health sciences, as well as a thorough introduction to occupational health and safety concepts. Common occupational safety concerns deal with safety hazards involved with confined space entry, hazardous energy control, hazard communication, and compliance with safety standards, environmental protection, and other areas. Environmental health and safety personnel are expected to perform the following functions: identify and analyze accident and loss-producing conditions; develop accident prevention and loss control methods, procedures, and programs; communicate accidents and loss control data to individuals on a need-to-know basis; and measure and evaluate the effectiveness of accident and loss control systems.
The curriculum is modeled from guidelines of the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) and the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). Students who complete the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in EHST may qualify to begin the examination process to become a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) through the BCSP. Students may also complete course work at a number of upper-level universities leading toward additional certifications such as the Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) through the ABIH, the Certified Environmental Professional (CEP) through the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP), the Certified Risk Manager (CRM) through the National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research (NAIER), and many others.
Program Entry
Environmental Health and Safety (EHST) candidates (new or returning) must attend a mandatory EHST program orientation before being allowed to register for program related courses (does not apply to academic courses). Fall entry (August) orientations are held between April and May. Spring entry (January) orientations are held between November and December. The department does not allow new students to enter the EHST program during the summer. Students may contact the Public Safety and Security department for upcoming orientation dates at 281-998-6150, x3686.
Plan of Study
Central Campus
3ENVR-HLTH
| First Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| EPCT 1307 | Introduction to Environmental Safety and Health | 3 |
| OSHT 1309 | Physical Hazards Control | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | 3 |
| MATH 1314 | College Algebra (or higher) | 3 |
| CHEM 1311 & CHEM 1111 |
General Chemistry I (lecture) and General Chemistry I (lab) |
4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Term | ||
| OSHT 1313 | Accident Prevention, Inspection and Investigation | 3 |
| OSHT 2320 | Safety Training Presentation Techniques | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Speech Communication | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Business and Professional Speech | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 4 | |
| General Chemistry II (lecture) and General Chemistry II (lab) |
||
| Biology for Science Majors I (lecture) and Biology for Science Majors I (lab) |
||
| Anatomy and Physiology I (Lecture) and Anatomy and Physiology I (Lab) |
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| Credits | 13 | |
| Third Term | ||
| EPCT 1341 | Principles of Industrial Hygiene | 3 |
| OSHT 2305 | Ergonomics and Human Factors in Safety | 3 |
| OSHT 1307 | Construction Site Safety and Health | 3 |
| ENGL 2311 or ENGL 1302 |
Technical and Business Writing or Composition II |
3 |
| Language, Philosophy, and Culture (Humanities) or Creative Arts (Fine Arts) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Term | ||
| EPCT 2333 | Environmental Toxicology | 3 |
| OSHT 2401 | OSHA Regulations-General Industry | 4 |
| OSHT 2309 | Safety Program Management | 3 |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences or Government/Political Science or American History | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
| 1 | Students desiring to obtain a baccalaureate degree should take CHEM 1312 General Chemistry II (lecture)/CHEM 1112 General Chemistry II (lab). |
Capstone Experience: OSHT 2309 Safety Program Management
Approved Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EMSP 1160 & EMSP 1501 | Clinical-Emergency Medical Technician and Emergency Medical Technician 1 | 6 |
| EPCT 1301 | Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Training and Related Topics | 3 |
| EPCT 1305 | Environmental Regulations Overview | 3 |
| EPCT 1311 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| EPCT 1313 | Contingency Planning | 3 |
| OSHT 2380 | Cooperative Education-Occupational Safety and Health Technology | 3 |
| 1 | Both courses required if used to satisfy the elective requirement for Environmental Health and Safety Technology and must be taken concurrently. |