Mar 28, 2024  
2012-2013 Catalog 
    
2012-2013 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Industrial Hygiene, M.S.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Graduate School

Program Manager Distance Learning: Dr. Terry Spear
  (406) 496-4897
  SE 325
   
Program Manager On-Campus: Julie Hart
  (406) 496-4792
  SE 326

 

Field of Study


Industrial Hygienists are responsible for the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of workplace environmental factors that may affect the health, comfort or productivity of the worker. Industrial hygiene is considered a “science”, however, it is also an art that involves judgment, creativity, and human interaction. Communication skills are very important. Although some occupations may appear more dangerous than others, potential short-term and long-term health hazards occur in every profession whether a person is employed in an office or chemical plant. Industrial hygienists play an important role in ensuring that 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 industrial hygiene.

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; research laboratories; hospitals; insurance companies; consulting firms; oil, chemical and manufacturing companies; and mining operations.

Graduate Admission Requirements


Applicants are admitted in the basis of acceptable academic preparation. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a scientific or engineering discipline with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Candidates for Industrial Hygiene master’s-level degree programs shall hold a baccalaureate degree based on a minimum of 120 semester hours or equivalent. That shall include 63 or more semester-hour credits in undergraduate or graduate-level courses in science, mathematics, engineering and technology with at least 15 of those at the upper (junior, senior or graduate) level and a minimum of 21 semester-hour credits, or the equivalent in communications, humanities, and social sciences. The undergraduate degree of any applicant must meet the minimum ASAC-ABET requirements for a bachelor’s degree program. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required for admittance into the on-campus program. The GRE is not required for admittance into the M.S. Industrial Hygiene Distance Learning /Professional Track.

Candidates for the M.S. Industrial Hygiene Distance Learning/Professional Track must have a minimum of two years of significant work experience related to industrial hygiene in additional to the above requirements.

Degree Programs


Graduate students with a B.S. degree from Montana Tech who have previously matriculated OSH 4216 , OSH 4226  and/or OSH 4296  will be required to complete elective courses to replace those credit hours.

Graduate Students with a B.S. degree in OSH from Montana Tech who have an adequate backgroung in safety and are not required to complete the Safety Core, will be required to complete an additional three credit elective.

Graduate students with a B.S. degree in OSH from Montana Tech who have previously matriculated OSH 4606 - Risk Reduction Methods for OSH , will not be permitted to take I.H. 5606 - Systems Safety & Process Safety Management , and will be required to complete an additional 3 credit elective.

The above pertain to both on-campus and Distance Learning/Professional Track.

On-Campus M.S. Industrial Hygiene Program


Accredited by the Applied Science Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET/ASAC), 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 telephone: (410) 347-7700).

Educational Objectives


I. Graduates will be prepared to assume professional positions in industrial hygiene, safety or health science careers.

Upon graduation, the student should demonstrate the following abilities:

  • Anticipate, recognize and mitigate potential hazards.
  • Understand the public health philosophy of protection and enhancement of health through preventative measures.
  • Write occupational and public health policy and programs.
  • Research, select, recommend and design appropriate control technologies.

II. Graduates will be prepared to develop, implement and manage occupational health, and/or industrial hygiene policies and programs.

Upon graduation, the student should demonstrate the following:

  • Select and implement assessment methods and sampling strategies.
  • Understand employer expectations and program implementation.
  • Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

III. Graduates will have an understanding of the role of health and safety professionals in occupational health settings and their obligation to their profession and the public.

Upon graduation, the student should demonstrate the following abilities:

  • Manage and control losses associated with work place injuries and illnesses.
  • Serve as advocates for occupational and public health issues.
  • Maintain a commitment to continued professional development.
  • Understand both professional and ethical responsibilities.

A program of courses is established in consultation between the student, the graduate advisory committee, and the major advisor. Thirty-six major credits, plus one credit writing seminar (T.C. 5150 ) are minimally required. A maximum of 6 transfer credits from a regionally accredited institution will be accepted.

Option: Thesis or Publishable Paper 38 credit degree requirement

Note(s)


1 Graduate students with a B.S. degree from Montana Tech who have previously matriculated OSH 4216 , OSH 4226 , and OSH 4296  will be required to complete elective courses to replace those credits hours.

2 Graduate students can choose from the following courses, or other approved courses, to satisfy the Safety Core requirement: OSH 4276 - Mining Safety ; OSH 4956 - Special Topics ; I.H. 5606 - Systems Safety & Process Safety Management .

Examinations


Candidates for a master’s degree must present their thesis or publishable paper and pass an oral examination. The oral examination will focus on the thesis presentation or publishable paper, but may also include questions relating to the graduate study program.

M.S. Industrial Hygiene Program Distance Learning - Professional Track


Accredited by the Applied Science Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineers and Technology (ABET/ASAC), 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 2120-4012 telephone:(410) 347-7700). Offered on-line to experienced industrial hygienists and scientists.

Option: Distance Learning/Professional Track non-thesis 37 credit degree requirement.

Educational Objectives


I. Graduates will be prepared to practice professional positions in industrial hygiene, safety or health science careers.

Upon graduation, the student should demonstrate the following abilities:

  • Anticipate, recognize and mitigate potential hazards.
  • Select and implement assessment methods and sampling strategies.
  • Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

II. Graduates will be prepared to develop, implement and manage occupational health, and/or industrial hygiene policies and programs.

Upon graduation, the student should demonstrate the following abilities:

  • Write occupational and public health policy and programs.
  • Research, select, recommend and design appropriate control technologies.

III. Graduates will have an understanding of the role of health and safety professionals in occupational health settings and their obligation to their profession and the public.

Upon graduation, the student should demonstrate the following abilities:

  • Understand the public health philosophy of protection and enhancement of health through preventative measures.
  • Understnad employer expectations and program implementation.
  • Serve as advocates for occupational and public health issues.
  • Maintain a commitment to continued professional development.
  • Understand both professional and ethical responsibilities.

Note(s)


1 Five-day on-campus laboratory required.

Note(s)


Students licensed as certified industrial hygienists (CIH), may waive OSH 4216 , Industrial Hygiene I, and these students would be required to complete 34 credits for the online industrial hygiene degree. Students licensed as certified safety professionals (CSP), may waive I.H. 5606 - Systems Safety & Process Safety Management , and these students would be required to complete 34 credits for the online industrial hygiene degree. For students licensed as both CIH and CSP, OSH 4216  and I.H. 5606  may be waived, and these students would be required to complete 31 credits for the online industrial hygiene degree.

Examinations


Candidates for a master’s degree must present their Industrial Hygiene Report and pass an oral examination. The oral examination will focus on the report presentation, but may also include questions relating to the graduate study program.

Laboratories


M.S. Industrial Hygiene Distance Learning/Professional Track students must complete a five (5) day on-campus laboratory as part of I.H. 5286 .

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Graduate School