BSc Honours Environmental Health Degree

Overview & facilities

This programme is aimed at those working in a practice setting or those wishing to enter a career as an Environmental Health Practitioner whether in the public or private sectors. The BSc (Hons) Environmental Health at Middlesex University  is fully recognised and accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) as a degree that enables you to enter the environmental health  profession. (see  http://www.cieh.org/professional_development.html for more details). Subject to passing the appropriate CIEH professional exams, our graduates can operate as a generalist environmental practitioner and/or a specialist environmental health practitioner in food and/or health and safety. Students can therefore elect which route way to professional registration they wish to pursue after graduation.

The programme explores the relationship between your work, home and leisure environments and how they impact on your health.  You will be given the knowledge and skills to assess, and apply solutions to protect and improve public health in a variety of settings and evaluate the legal and social framework within which environmental health operates.

The first and second years are focussed on underpinning science and environmental health knowledge, skills and thinking. Subjects include Housing, Pollution, Food Safety and Occupational Health & Safety. In the final year there is a deeper focus on food safety and occupational health and safety and public health strategy.

This award shares a common first year with the parallel award BSc (Hons) Environmental and Public Health and successful students may transfer across awards after year 1 if they wish to do so. 
 

Content & modules

Modules

• Year 1

  Applied Environmental Science (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module provides students with the skill and knowledge that will underpin their future studies in environmental health sciences. Particular emphasis is placed on building a knowledge base on the key academic concepts in chemistry and biochemistry for occupational and environmental health and food chemistry using examples from practice and field-based experience.

  Environmental and Health Stressors (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  Enables the student to develop an understanding of the nature and important of micro-organsims; the cycle of disease transmission and role of immunology, demography and epidemiology in ill-health and appreciate the role of vectors of disease; the physical chemical, biological, social and psycho-social stressors commonly dealt with by environmental health practitioners, and their reporting mechanisms. Practical skills in aseptic technique and micro-biological methods. In addition students will spend part of the module focusing on pests commonly found in the UK.

  Functional Anatomy and Pathology (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to provide the students with a comprehensive understanding of the human anatomical and physiological systems together with an understanding of comparative anatomy of food animals. The module also develops an awareness of the pathological conditions affecting food animals; their causes and preventions. Develops an understanding of the legislative controls relating to unfit and unsafe meat and meat products.

  Law and Professional Practice (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  To develop an appreciation of governance and the legal systems, including legal doctrines applicable to criminal, evidence and civil law. The professional practice element focuses upon the assessment of risk upon which further risk management skills can be developed. Students will gain understanding of the breadth of professional practice, including the processes involved in inspection, audit and compliance. The module aims to develop appropriate administrative, communication and practical skills required for successful academic and professional progress. In addition the module explores concepts issues and policies associated with social policy in contemporary societies and focuses global and national institutions, their ideologies and some of the current policy issues they are currently involved with.

• Year 2

  Approaches to Experimental Research (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  The module aims to provide students with the skills necessary to plan, implement, analyse and report project-based work with focus on preparation for the final year project module. The module also develops core research skills fundamental to a scientific research design, irrespective of discipline. Specific research skills include analytical techniques appropriate to individual programme requirements.

  Enviornmental Pollution (15 Credits) - Compulsory

  To make students aware of the environmental and health impact of pollution. To provide information on the chemicals present in the environment and of the environmental changes resulting from primarily human activities but with reference to natural processes. To provide students with an understanding of the scientific, legislative, technological and economic aspects relating to the sources, effects, assessment and control of pollution.

  Environmental Health Housing Practice (15 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to provide the students with a basic understanding of the principles, terminology and methods underlying the construction and performance of residential buildings and the practical and cognitive skills to recognise building defects and to be able to specify suitable diagnostic treatments. It also explores the practical legislative remedies available to compel property owners to improve their properties.

  Food Safety (15 Credits) - Compulsory

  The Module will: Explore regulatory practice in relation to food law; Examine the role of national and international food law enforcement agencies, quasi governmental agencies and bodies as well as industry; Explore how organisations achieve regulatory compliance. Explore the relationship of national and international standards and regulatory requirements.

  Health Stressors (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  To develop a deeper understanding of the biological, physical, chemical, social and psycho-social stressors that impact on human health and comprehend disease, illness and well-being trends in terms of human health, through study of epidemiology, demography, health surveillance and public health profiling. To explore and develop a critical appreciation of the nature, significance and control of microbiological stressors .To further develop practical microbiological skills. To explore and evaluate the mechanisms for reporting disease and other information gathering strategies. To appreciate the importance of the above in health promotion, addressing health issues and public health management

  Occupational Health and Safety (15 Credits) - Compulsory

  To explore principles of risk, based on technical knowledge of occupational health, safety and hygiene hazards, that will lead to policies that will introduce safety management and a positive safety culture to a workplace. To develop a knowledge base of the common workplace hazards, and evaluate the influence of human factors on safety. To gain an international perspective on the governance and regulation of workplace safety.

• Year 3

  Applied Environmental and Public Stategy (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  The aim of this module is to take a strategic view of environmental and public health and to apply the strategy to a range of settings. This module provides the means for students to link academic work with a practice situation in order to conceptualise the meaning of theory in the wider world context. This facilitates the embedding of transferable and graduate skills necessary for future career paths and employment. It will provide knowledge, skills and abilities to practice and develop strategies to implement health gain or improvement. This situated learning module will use a variety of case studies, simulations, structured visits and practice learning to embed the theoretical aspects of environmental and public health into a real life setting. It also seeks to provide the student with an understanding of where their practice fits into strategic agendas and how their practice adds value to environmental and public health improvement

  Environmental and Occupational Dissertation (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to synthesise learning from the students undergraduate programme providing an opportunity for students to study independently and investigate a topic in depth. It fosters academic curiosity, an inquiry based approach, the employment and application of research skills thus facilitating the development of a higher level of theorising. Students will select a topic of personal interest they wish to study further and will manage their own learning during this module, with the support of an allocated supervisor for this period of independent study.

  Food Safety Practice (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to: Evaluate managerial competency and performance during the safe production of food at all points in the food chain, and how primary production methods may affect food safety. Develop a detailed knowledge of the composition and properties of processed foodstuffs and their relationship with safety, fitness, and quality within an overarching public health framework. Provide an understanding of how systems and process audit can help achieve compliance with appropriate compositional and legislative requirements. Evaluate the roles of organisations involved in food safety management, and the development of food policies. Explore the responsibilities of food business proprietors, employees, and other persons in ensuring food safety.

  Occupational Health and Safety Practice (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  To evaluate the role of safety legislative, and its application, as an external factor that ensures compliance to clearly stated occupational health, safety hygiene technical standards. To evaluate management systems impact on safety, and the influence of internal and external factors.

  Practical Food Inspection (10 Credits) - Compulsory

  In this module students will be expected to: Identify and evaluate a range of food stuffs, state their condition and recognise unfit food. Explore a range of possible food safety interventions and recommend the most satisfactory course of action in order to achieve public health food safety. Evaluate the relevant statutory provisions and appraise the role of the enforcement officer and other relevant factors in determining the most satisfactory course of action to improve food safety.

For more information, you can also look at the programme specification.

Entry & applying

We normally make offers on aminimum of 240 UCAS tariff points, plus GCSE Maths and English Language at grade C. BTEC National Diploma/International Baccalaureate/Advanced Progression Diplomas at equivalent tariff. Access to HE - Pass. Applications from candidates without formal qualifications are welcomed. Additionally overseas students whose first language is not English will need a qualification that demonstrates competence in English, eg IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 550 paper-based or 213 computer based.

Entry requirements

Apply now

Qualifications accepted

For a comprehensive list of qualifications accepted by Middlesex, see further information under entry requirements

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.0 (with minimum 5.5 in all four components) or TOEFL internet based 72 (with at least 17 in listening & writing, 20 in speaking and 18 in reading).

Middlesex also offers an Intensive Academic English course (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk. 

Entry into year two or three (transfer students)

If you have achieved a qualification such as a foundation degree or HND, or have gained credit at another university, you may be able to enter a Middlesex course in year two or three. For full details of how this works see transfer students

UK/EU applicants with existing higher education qualifications

If you have already been awarded a qualification at the same level as the course you are applying for, you may not be eligible for a tuition fee loan, see fees and funding for more information.

Applying

Applications for UK and EU students should be made to UCAS – the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. The institution code for Middlesex is M80, and the code name is MIDDX. You also need the code for the course you wish to apply for – this is found in the 'at a glance' box above.

International students from outside the EU can make a direct application.  We have a network of regional offices across the world to assist you with your application.  They have worked with people from your region coming to Middlesex before and can help. Read more on international applications

Fees & funding

The tuition fee for the 2012/2013 academic year for UK/EU students is £9,000.
The tuition fee for the 2012/2013 academic year for International students is £10,400.

Click here to find out more about fees, funding and our scholarships in 2012.

Careers & placements

Career options include:

• Environmental Health Practitioners in the public and private sector.
• Government agencies such as DEFRA, DOH, HPA and first step agencies including LBRO etc
• Consultancies
• National and international employment opportunities

Where do our graduates go?
Based on the data from respondents of the 2009-10 Destination of Leavers in Higher Education survey, six months after graduating:

• 84% of Middlesex BSc Environmental Health graduates were in employment or further study 
• 17% were unemployed or doing something else, such as travelling

Middlesex graduates from this group have been successful at gaining employment in the following roles:

Technical Officer, Environmental Health Officer, Housing Officer

For companies such as:

Barnet Council, Milton Keynes Council, Herts Council, Hastings Council, Brent Council, Peterborough Council.