Course Description
Practical work experience; familiarizes the student with various aspects of environmental health science.
Athena Title
Internship in EHS
Non-Traditional Format
Experiential education and training in a specialized area of environmental health science under the direction of a faculty member.
Prerequisite
(EHSC 3060 or EHSC 3060E) and permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall, spring and summer
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
- Student will be able to engage in experiential learning within industrial hygiene, public health, or environmental protection by participating in hands-on activities under expert supervision, thereby deepening practical knowledge.
- Student will be able to cultivate an advanced understanding of environmental health science by immersing in industry practices and professional applications that demonstrate the breadth of the field.
- Student will be able to apply theoretical knowledge to resolve complex issues in industrial hygiene, public health, and environmental protection, bridging academic concepts with professional challenges.
- Student will be able to critically assess and address environmental health issues through immersive, field-based experiences, leveraging experiential learning to refine problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Student will be able to analyze and synthesize internship experiences, deriving insights that contribute to a nuanced understanding of environmental health science practices and the challenges inherent in the field.
- Student will be able to reflect on personal and professional growth throughout the internship to evaluate how hands-on practice has transformed the student’s perspective on environmental health science and shaped your development as a practitioner in the field.
Topical Outline
- I. Pre-Internship Requirements & Preparation
A. Eligibility Verification
Completion of 6 hours major-related coursework including EHSC 3060
Good academic standing
Junior/senior standing preferred
B. Application Process
Meet with Internship Coordinator
Site selection and placement
- II. Internship Structure
A. Time Requirements
Minimum 180 hours on-site work
Schedule development and approval
Time tracking procedures
B. Professional Integration
Orientation to host organization
Role and responsibility definition
Workplace safety training
Professional conduct expectations
- III. Learning Components
A. Field Experience
Hands-on activities under expert supervision
Industry-specific practices and applications
Problem-solving in real-world scenarios
Technical skill development
B. Academic Integration
Application of theoretical knowledge
Documentation of field experiences
Case study analysis
Professional development activities
- IV. Assessment & Evaluation
A. Progress Monitoring
Regular check-ins with site supervisor
Midpoint evaluation by supervisor
Self-assessment activities
Progress reports submission
- Host Agency Evaluation
Midpoint supervisor evaluation
Final supervisor evaluation
- Student Deliverables
Host agency evaluation
EHS department program evaluation
Comprehensive final report
- Reflection Components
Personal growth assessment
Professional development analysis
Field experience synthesis
- V. Documentation Requirements
A. Regular Submissions
Weekly activity logs
Progress reports
Reflection journals
Project documentation
- VI. Professional Development
A. Career Planning
Skills inventory development
Career goal refinement
Professional network building
Industry engagement opportunities
- Final Report Preparation
Experience synthesis
Learning outcomes assessment
Professional growth evaluation
Future recommendations
B. Grade Determination
Supervisor evaluations
Final report assessment
Professional development achievements
Overall performance review
Professional CV that include the internship experience
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
