Tshwane University Of Technology Occupational Health And Safety
What is environmental health?
Environmental Health is the field of science that studies how the environment influences human health and disease. “Environment,” in this context, means things in the natural environment like air, water and soil, and also all the physical, chemical, biological and social features of our surroundings.
The man-made, or “built”, environment includes physical structures where people live and work, such as homes, offices, schools, farms and factories, as well as community systems such as roads and transportation systems, land- use practices and waste management.
Consequences of human alterations to the natural environment, such as air pollution, are also parts of the man-made environment.
The social environment encompasses lifestyle factors like diet and exercise, socioeconomic status and other societal influences that may affect health – National Institute of Environmental Health Science
Environmental health at TUT
The programmes offered in the Department of Environmental Health are indeed important and link the human race with its interaction between the internal (occupational) and external (pollution) environment. We present interesting formal programmes from National Diploma level (three years of full-time study) to specialised programmes at doctorate level. Our short learning programmes are also very popular and equip students from industry with specialised skills in various areas in the field of environmental health.
In obtaining the National Diploma: Environmental Health, students are competent in: Environmental Management; Occupational Health and Safety; Food and Meat Hygiene; Epidemiology; and Community Development & Health Promotion.
Job opportunities
The National Diploma: Environmental Health is designed to develop students in the broad range of skills necessary for protecting our environment and for protecting the health of the people within it. The programme is multidisciplinary, covering a wide range of biological, technological, legal and administrative subjects.
After completion of the national diploma, a person can register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as an environmental health practitioner. He or she can then practise as an environmental health practitioner in the following areas:
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Duration of study
Three years (National Diploma: Environmental Health)
First-year intake only at Pretoria Campus
Interesting facts:
| Petro van Rooyen Tel: +27 12 382 5281 email: vanrooyenps@tut.ac.za |
Environmental Health staff list