Graduate School

Master of Science in Industrial Hygiene: On Campus

Program Overview

Montana Tech's on-campus Industrial Hygiene graduate program provides an exceptional opportunity for advanced study in the field of occupational health. The overall goal of our Industrial Hygiene program is to provide individuals with the technical competence to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and control occupational health hazards. This Industrial Hygiene degree program is accredited by the Applied Science Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

The thesis research-based M.S. degree is structured to encourage participative, collaborative, and applied problem-solving strategies to address modern day occupational health issues.

Courses and research in the M.S. Industrial Hygiene program are facilitated by world-class faculty whose advanced academic preparation and professional experience help integrate academic theory with current practical application. The curricula is designed to provide graduates with the academic preparation needed to pass the certification examination administered by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene.

• View the on-campus M.S. Industrial Hygiene program catalog information »

Industrial hygienists play an important role in ensuring the workplace is as free from hazards as possible and that the workers and the community at large are protected from potential health threats. Moreover, industrial hygienists work with management to anticipate problems that could occur and take action to prevent them before they happen. Also, industrial hygienists play an important role in shaping and implementing government policy concerning worker health and safety.

Job diversity is a major benefit to consider when choosing a career in the health/environmental sciences. A wealth of unique employment opportunities exists for industrial hygienists. Unlike many other professions, industrial hygienists are not limited to one particular type of industry. They are employed in a variety of organizations such as public utilities, government, academia, research laboratories, hospitals, insurance companies, consulting firms, oil, chemical and manufacturing companies, and mining operations.

For information on enrollment levels and graduations during the past few years, visit the Montana Tech Institutional Research Office web page.

Requirements

Industrial hygiene is a science-based discipline. The American Board of Industrial Hygiene has defined several criteria to test an individual’s knowledge across the broad range of industrial hygiene subject areas. These subject areas include basic science and encompass chemistry, biology, anatomy & physiology, physics, and mathematics.

We have established admittance standards for the M.S. Industrial Hygiene program to ensure student success. Applicants are admitted on a basis of acceptable undergraduate academic preparation, graduate record exam (GRE) scores, personal statement and reference recommendations. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university that included as a minimum 19 credits of college-level mathematics and science, (including first semester calculus and statistics), biology (including anatomy/physiology), chemistry (including organic chemistry), and physics. Prospective students who meet these requirements and who have at least two years of professional work experience in occupational health and safety may also wish to consider our online program in industrial hygiene.

 The personal statement should be no more than a single page, written by you, explaining:

1. Who you are and some of your major academic and professional achievements
2. Why you are interested in studying industrial hygiene
3. Why you feel you would be successful in the program
4. What you hope to do with your degree

The application deadline for the M.S. Industrial Hygiene Program is:

• April 1 for summer & fall semesters
• October 1 for spring semester

These deadlines are also applicable to Montana Tech undergraduate students applying to the 5-year Master's Degree Program.

Program Educational Objectives

Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) are broad statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years after graduation. The M.S. in Industrial Hygiene degree program has adopted the following three PEOs:

1. Establish their IH-related careers throughout the first four years after graduating.
2. Use their education to competently provide IH services appropriate to their employment.
3. Act professionally by engaging in career development, recognizing ethical responsibilities, supporting the profession, and being an informed and involved member of their community.

Student Outcomes

Student outcomes are statements of what each graduate of the program is expected to achieve at the time of graduation. The M.S. Industrial Hygiene curriculum is structured so each student will have obtained the knowledge, understanding and skills in all 22 student outcomes.

1. Apply knowledge of mathematics, science and applied sciences.
2. Design and conduct common experiments and analyze and interpret data.
3. Formulate or design a system, process or program to meet desired needs.
4. Function on multidisciplinary teams.
5. Identify and solve applied science problems, including advanced qualitative and quantitative problems.
6. Understand professional and ethical responsibilities related to the IH profession.
7. Communicate effectively.
8. Understand the impact of solutions in a global and societal context.
9. Recognize the need for and have the ability to engage in life-long learning.
10. Knowledge of contemporary issues.
11. Use the techniques, skills, and modern scientific and technical tools necessary for the practice of IH.
12. Complete a project or research activity resulting in a report that demonstrates mastery of the subject matter and a high level of communication skills.
13. Identify agents, factors and stresses generated by and/or associated with defined sources, unit operations, and processes.
14. Describe qualitative and quantitative aspects of generation of agents, factors, and stresses.
15. Understand the physiological and/or toxicological interactions of the physical, chemical, biological and ergonomic agents, factors, and/or stressors with the human body.
16. Assess qualitative and quantitative aspects of exposure assessment, dose-response, and risk characterization based on applicable pathways and modes of entry.
17. Calculate, interpret and apply statistical and epidemiological data.
18. Recommend and evaluate engineering, administrative and personal protective equipment controls and/or other interventions to reduce or eliminate hazards.
19. Demonstrate an understanding of applicable business and managerial practices.
20. Interpret and apply applicable occupational and environmental regulations.
21. Understand the fundamental aspects of safety and environmental health.
22. Attain recognized professional certification.