Master of Occupational and Environmental Health

This course provides workplace professionals with the skills and knowledge to prevent and manage occupational risks and related health problems. This degree provides you with the skills necessary to evaluate health problems in communities thought to be associated with industrial activities, and control related hazards and risks. It is particularly suitable for medical practitioners, nurses, allied health personnel, scientists and occupational health and safety managers. The course is offered by off-campus learning however compulsory block attendance is required each semester.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of the legal and ethical framework which governs occupational health and safety practice and the obligations of industry in regard to the environment
• access, critically appraise and integrate hazard information from published studies and other relevant sources in the occupational and environmental health literature
• recognise, evaluate the level of exposure and assess the degree of risk to health from chemical, physical and biological workplace and environmental hazards and provide advice on appropriate control measures in the workplace and the community
• demonstrate an understanding of the factors underlying risk perception and be able to effectively and sensitively communicate, in both written and oral forms, these risks to exposed people in the workplace and the community
• provide occupational health services, including preventative and rehabilitation programs and environmental advice to industry
• demonstrate an understanding of epidemiological and biostatistical techniques to investigate health effects from occupational and environmental hazards.

Assessment

Assessment includes web-based tasks, written assignments, student presentations and examinations.

Australian Occupational Health and Safety Education Accreditation Board (AOHSEAB)

This course consists of ten core units and either two elective units or a minor project.

Part time

First year

Semester one

• MPH5241 Introduction to occupational health and safety
• MPH5243 Chemical and biological hazards

Semester two

• MPH5222 Assessment and control of workplace hazards
• MPH5244 Ergonomic and physical hazards

Second year

Semester one

• MPH5040 Introductory epidemiology
• MPH5242 Psychosocial work environment

Semester two

• MPH5203 Environmental influences on health
• MPH5276 Safety management systems

Third year

Semester one

• MPH5041 Introductory biostatistics
• one 6 point elective from the list below

Semester two

• 12 points of electives from the list below

Full time

First year

Semester one

• MPH5241 Introduction to occupational health and safety
• MPH5243 Chemical and biological hazards
• MPH5040 Introductory epidemiology
• MPH5041 Introductory biostatistics

Semester two

• MPH5222 Assessment and control of workplace hazards
• MPH5244 Ergonomic and physical hazards
• MPH5203 Environmental influences on health
• MPH5276 Safety management systems

Second year

Semester one

• MPH5242 Psychosocial work environment
• 18 points of electives from the list below

Electives

• MPH5213 Research methods
• MPH5231 Research design and project proposal (6 points) and MPH5232 Research conduct analysis, write-up and submission (7,000-8,000 words) (6 points)*
• MPH5256 Injury epidemiology and prevention
• BTF5910 Sustainability regulation
• any approved postgraduate unit (except units MPH5020, MPH5301-5314; EPM5001-5015) offered by the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine.

Suitable units can be identified using the browse units toolbrowse units tool (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/search) in the current edition of the Handbook; postgraduate units are those that commence with the numbers 4-5.

* This forms a 12-point research project for which the elective unit MPH5213 (Research methods) is a prerequisite. Course coordinator's approval to undertake the project is required. Students must discuss the availability of this option with the course coordinator at the commencement of their studies as the course structure may need rearranging.

Students wishing to exit this course may apply to graduate with one of the following, provided they have satisfied the requirements for that award:

• 2868 Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health
• 0160 Graduate Diploma in Occupational and Environmental Health.