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Occupational and Public Health

Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc)
Program Website: ryerson.ca/sophe (opens in new window) 
Administered by: School of Occupational and Public Health
Program Format: Full-time, four-year program.
Full-time, five-year co-op program.
Full-time, two-year Option for University Graduates program.

The School of Occupational and Public Health (SOPHe) offers a four-year undergraduate degree leading to a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in either Public Health and Safety or Occupational Health and Safety. A two-year degree option exists for students who enter the program with an undergraduate degree or higher.

Full-Time, Four-Year Program

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U English and one of Grade 12 U Chemistry (SCH4U) or Grade 12 U Biology (SBI4U).

Two options are offered, Public Health and Safety and Occupational Health and Safety, both of which are unique in Canada. Applicants must choose their intended program at the time of application.

NOTES:
  1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
  2. The grade(s) required in the subject prerequisites (normally in the 60-70 percent range) will be determined subject to competition.
  3. Candidates who are 21 years of age and wish to be considered as a mature student applicant should refer to the Mature Student policy.
  4. Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited university must apply for the two-year Occupational Health and Safety or the Public Health and Safety Options for University Graduates only (admission requirements described below). These applicants are not eligible for admission to the four year programs.
  5. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.

Occupational Health and Safety Option For University Graduates

The Occupational Health and Safety Option for University Graduates requires two years of full-time study. Admission consideration for this option is available to applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited university including three (lower or upper level) liberal studies courses.

Applicants who cannot demonstrate at least three liberal studies courses (either lower or upper level) during their previous university experience, will be required to take additional courses before graduation to bring their total liberal studies to at least three single-term courses (or equivalent).

Applicants must have as part of their degree (or other post-secondary education) credit for at least one single-term course in each of chemistry and organic chemistry (equivalent to CHY 104 and CHY 152).

In addition, an applicant whose degree (or other post-secondary education) does not include credit for at least one single-term course, in each of physics and microbiology (equivalent to PCS 106 and ENH 222, respectively), will be required to successfully pass PCS 106 and/or ENH 222, as applicable, before beginning the third semester of the option.

Successful candidates may apply for up to seven single-term transfer credits based on their previous university studies.

Public Health and Safety Option For University Graduates

The Public Health and Safety Option for University Graduates requires two years of full-time study. Admission consideration for this option is available to applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited university including three (lower or upper level) liberal studies courses.

Applicants who cannot demonstrate at least three liberal studies courses (either lower or upper level) during their previous university experience, will be required to take additional courses before graduation to bring their total liberal studies to at least three single-term courses (or equivalent).

Applicants whose degree (or other post-secondary education) does not include credit for at least one single-term course, in each of chemistry and microbiology (equivalent to CHY 104 and ENH 222, respectively), will be required to successfully pass CHY 104 and/or ENH 222, as applicable, before beginning the third semester of the option.

Successful candidates may apply for up to seven single-term transfer credits based on their previous university studies.

The first year subjects are drawn mainly from the sciences and include an introduction to law and epidemiology. They will provide a solid foundation for the applications that follow.

All students will take the same first year subjects, with discipline-specific courses beginning in second year.

Occupational Health and Safety Option

This option is unique in Canada. It equips graduates for careers in Occupational Health and Safety, and positions may be found in public, private and service organizations throughout Canada. Graduates may choose to pursue registration as a Registered Occupational Hygienist through further examinations of the Canadian Registration Board of Occupational Hygienists, or to apply for certification as a Canadian Registered Safety Professional through the Canadian Association of Registered Safety Professionals.

Occupational Health and Safety Option for University Graduates

The Occupational Health and Safety Option for University Graduates requires two years of full-time study. This option is open to applicants who hold a Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited university including three (lower or upper level) liberal studies courses.

Applicants must have as part of their degree (or other post-secondary education) credit for at least a single-term course in each of chemistry and organic chemistry (equivalent to CHY 104 and CHY 152).

In addition, an applicant whose degree does not include credit for at least a single-term course (equivalent to PCS 106 or ENH 222), in each of physics and microbiology will be required to successfully pass PCS 106 and/or ENH 222 before beginning the third semester of the option.

In addition, successful candidates may apply for up to seven single-term transfer credits based on their previous university studies.

Public Health and Safety Option

This curriculum is designed to equip graduates for careers in a broad range of environmentally related health fields but in particular for a career as an environmental health officer or public health inspector. To this end, the School retains national accreditation from the Board of Certification of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors as an academic leader in the environmental field. Demand for graduates comes from across Canada. Regional and provincial health agencies continue to be major employers, but significant numbers of graduates establish careers with either public agencies or private companies.

Professional certification as an Environmental Health Officer or Public Health Inspector is still a valued addition to a graduate's portfolio and is possible after successful completion of the degree plus a 12 week practicum. Further details about the certification process can be obtained from the Board of Certification or the School.

Public Health and Safety Option for University Graduates

The Public Health and Safety Option for University Graduates requires two years of full-time study. This option is open to applicants who hold a Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited university including three (lower or upper level) liberal studies courses.

Applicants whose degree does not include credit for at least one course in each of chemistry and microbiology will be required to successfully pass CHY 104 and/or ENH 222 before beginning the third semester of the option.

In addition, successful candidates may apply for up to seven single-term transfer credits based on their previous university studies.

Co-Operative Program

The School offers co-operative options in both Occupational Health and Safety and Public Health and Safety, which provides graduating students with 20 months of work experience integrated into their academic studies.

Students in either Occupational Health and Safety or Public Health and Safety who have successfully completed the first year of their option and who wish to enrol in the co-op program must apply through this School for admission to the co-operative program during their third semester (Fall of second year). Enrolment in the co-operative program is strictly limited. Admission will be based on a student's grade point average (minimum GPA 2.50), a simulated employment and 'suitability for co-op' interview, and students must provide evidence of superior written and oral communication skills.

The School cannot guarantee work term employment, but Ryerson's Office of Co-operative Education (opens in new window)  has experienced placement officers who will work with the School's Co-op Co-ordinator to prospect for employers and make every effort to identify suitable positions, as well as assisting students with their own search for program-related jobs. The co-op program enables students to earn prevailing wages for the level of responsibility and contribution of the jobs they perform and thus finance at least part of their university education, as well as gaining marketable experience and contacts for career employment.

The sequencing of academic and work terms is shown below:

Work terms are graded on a pass/fail basis. Each work term is assessed by the School's Co-op Co-ordinator on the basis of the student's comprehensive written report and the employer's evaluation of the student's performance on the job. Students must successfully complete a minimum of four work terms in order to graduate from a co-op program.

The co-op program requires five years to complete the degree in Occupational and Public Health. The regular program can be completed in four years.

Liberal Studies

Students in the regular and co-operative programs must take three lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

CHY 182 is not available for credit.
Public Health and Safety Option
: Students may take only two Politics courses for credit.
Occupational Health and Safety Option: ECN 110 is not available for credit. Students may take only two Economics courses for credit.

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

GEO 702 and GEO 716 are not available for credit.

Occupational Health and Safety Option: students may take only two Politics courses for credit.

Minors

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see  (PDF file) Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Tony Amalfa
Manager, Environmental Health Programs
Ministry of Health and Long Term Care

Ron De Burger
Director, Healthy Environments
Toronto Public Health

Theresa Dunkley-Verhage
Food Safety Supervisor
Quality Assurance
Tim Hortons

Peter Heywood
Program Supervisor
Oxford Count Public Health & Emergency Services

David Lindeman
Manager, Health, Safety And Wellness
City of Hamilton

Joe Mulhall
President
Canadian Union of Skilled Workers

Dr. Ian Noy
Director
Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety

Vic Pakalnis
Professor
Queens University

Andy Papadopoulos
Associate Professor
Co-ordinator, Master of Public Health
University Of Guelph

Janet Tsao
Senior Health & Safety & Environment Advisor
Hydro One

First Year Common

Common to both Occupational Health and Safety and Public Health And Safety.

1st & 2nd Semester

1st Semester

REQUIRED:

CHY 104 General Chemistry
ENH 121 Health Law
ENH 220 Foundations of Pathophysiology
ENH 617 Applied Ecology
MTH 125 Mathematics for Professional Programs

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

2nd Semester

REQUIRED:

CHY 152 Introductory Organic Chemistry
ENH 122 Introduction to Epidemiology
ENH 222 Foundations of Aetiology
OHS 208 Occupational Health and Safety Law
PCS 106 Physics for the Health Sciences

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

Occupational Health and Safety Option

  

3rd & 4th Semester

3rd & 4th Semester is common for both the Regular and Co-op Programs in Occupational Health and Safety.

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

ECN 104 Introductory Microeconomics
ENH 322 Epidemiology: Communicable Diseases I
OHS 314 Physical Agents
OHS 319 Health Effects of Radiation
OHS 322 Introductory Toxicology

4th Semester

REQUIRED:

CMN 100 Professional Health Communication
ENH 422 Epidemiology: Communicable Diseases II
ENH 505 Infection Control
OHS 323 Accident Theory and Analysis
OHS 421 Occupational Hygiene Methods I
OHS 422 Advanced Toxicology
OHS 477 Integrated Disability Management

  

5th & 6th Semester

5th Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 440 Biostatistics
ENH 712 Health Education
OHS 523 Safety Evaluation Techniques
OHS 621 Occupational Hygiene Methods II

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

6th Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 522 Epidemiology: Research Methods
OHS 516 Ergonomics
OHS 623 Safety Control Methods
PPA 319 Politics of Work and Labour

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

  

7th & 8th Semester

7th Semester

REQUIRED:

OHS 718 Systems Management I
OHS 723 Sectoral Applications I
OHS 833 Fire Safety Management

REQUIRED GROUP 1†: One course from the following:

ENH 66A/B* Field Project
ENH 766 Research Project I

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

8th Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 825 Risk Assessment
OHS 810 Seminars
OHS 818 Systems Management II
OHS 823 Sectoral Applications II

REQUIRED GROUP 1†: One course from the following:

ENH 66A/B* Field Project
ENH 866 Research Project II

† In 7th Semester-8, in order to satisfy Required Group 1, students will complete:

  1. The two-term course ENH 66A/B, or
  2. ENH 766 and ENH 866, or
  3. ENH 766 and two (2) courses from Table I .

* ENH 66A/B only be taken with permission of the School.

  

3rd & 4th Semester

3rd & 4th Semester is common for both the Regular and Co-op Programs in Occupational Health and Safety.

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

ECN 104 Introductory Microeconomics
ENH 322 Epidemiology: Communicable Diseases I
OHS 314 Physical Agents
OHS 319 Health Effects of Radiation
OHS 322 Introductory Toxicology

4th Semester

REQUIRED:

CMN 100 Professional Health Communication
ENH 422 Epidemiology: Communicable Diseases II
ENH 505 Infection Control
OHS 323 Accident Theory and Analysis
OHS 421 Occupational Hygiene Methods I
OHS 422 Advanced Toxicology
OHS 477 Integrated Disability Management

  

5th & 6th Semester

5th Semester (Offered In Winter Term Only) 

REQUIRED:

ENH 522 Epidemiology: Research Methods
OHS 516 Ergonomics
OHS 623 Safety Control Methods
PPA 319 Politics of Work and Labour

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

6th Semester (Offered in Fall Term Only) 

REQUIRED:

ENH 440 Biostatistics
ENH 712 Health Education
OHS 523 Safety Evaluation Techniques
OHS 621 Occupational Hygiene Methods II

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

  

7th & 8th Semester

7th Semester

REQUIRED:

OHS 718 Systems Management I
OHS 723 Sectoral Applications I
OHS 833 Fire Safety Management

REQUIRED GROUP 1†: One course from the following:

ENH 66A/B* Field Project
ENH 766 Research Project I

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

8th Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 825 Risk Assessment
OHS 810 Seminars
OHS 818 Systems Management II
OHS 823 Sectoral Applications II

REQUIRED GROUP 1†: One course from the following:

ENH 66A/B* Field Project
ENH 866 Research Project II

† In 7th Semester-8, in order to satisfy Required Group 1, students will complete:

  1. The two-term course ENH 66A/B, or
  2. ENH 766 and ENH 866, or
  3. ENH 766 and two (2) courses from Table I .

* ENH 66A/B only be taken with permission of the School.

Sequencing of Academic and Work terms

The following table shows the sequence of academic and work terms for this program.

WKT courses are graded on a pass/fail basis.

1st & 2nd Semester

1st Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 121 Health Law
ENH 220 Foundations of Pathophysiology
ENH 440 Biostatistics
ENH 617 Applied Ecology
OHS 314 Physical Agents
OHS 319 Health Effects of Radiation
OHS 322 Introductory Toxicology

2nd Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 122 Introduction to Epidemiology
ENH 522 Epidemiology: Research Methods
OHS 208 Occupational Health and Safety Law
OHS 323 Accident Theory and Analysis
OHS 421 Occupational Hygiene Methods I
OHS 422 Advanced Toxicology
OHS 477 Integrated Disability Management

  

3rd & 4th Semester

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 322 Epidemiology: Communicable Diseases I
ENH 712 Health Education
OHS 523 Safety Evaluation Techniques
OHS 621 Occupational Hygiene Methods II
OHS 718 Systems Management I
OHS 723 Sectoral Applications I
OHS 833 Fire Safety Management

4th Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 422 Epidemiology: Communicable Diseases II
ENH 505 Infection Control
ENH 825 Risk Assessment
OHS 516 Ergonomics
OHS 623 Safety Control Methods
OHS 810 Seminars
OHS 818 Systems Management II
OHS 823 Sectoral Applications II

Public Health and Safety Option

  

3rd & 4th Semester

3rd & 4th Semester is common for both the Regular and Co-op Programs in Public Health and Safety.

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 322 Epidemiology: Communicable Diseases I
ENH 324 Wastewater Treatment Systems
ENH 333 Introduction to Food Hygiene
OHS 322 Introductory Toxicology
PPA 122 Local Politics and Government

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

4th Semester

REQUIRED:

CMN 100 Professional Health Communication
ENH 325 Housing
ENH 422 Epidemiology: Communicable Diseases II
ENH 424 Water Quality
ENH 429 International Health
ENH 433 Food Hygiene: Safe Food Handling
ENH 505 Infection Control

  

5th & 6th Semester

5th Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 440 Biostatistics
ENH 524 Pollution Control
ENH 733 Food Hygiene: Food Pathogens
OHS 508 Occupational Health

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

6th Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 522 Epidemiology: Research Methods
ENH 821 Health Administration
OHS 608 Hazard Recognition and Control

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: One course from Table I.

  

7th & 8th Semester

7th Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 610 Parasitology
ENH 712 Health Education
ENH 721 Public Health Law

REQUIRED GROUP 1†: One course from the following:

ENH 66A/B* Field Project
ENH 766 Research Project I

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

8th Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 809 Seminars
ENH 816 Health Promotion: Planning and Evaluation
ENH 825 Risk Assessment
ENH 911 Emergency Measures and Planning

REQUIRED GROUP 1†: One course from the following:

ENH 66A/B* Field Project
ENH 866 Research Project II

* ENH 66A/B may only be taken with permission of the School.

† In 7th Semester-8, in order to satisfy Required Group 1, students will complete:

  1. The two-term course ENH 66A/B, or
  2. ENH 766 and ENH 866, or
  3. ENH 766 and two (2) courses from Table I  

  

3rd & 4th Semester

3rd & 4th Semester is common for both the Regular and Co-op Programs in Public Health and Safety.

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 322 Epidemiology: Communicable Diseases I
ENH 324 Wastewater Treatment Systems
ENH 333 Introduction to Food Hygiene
OHS 322 Introductory Toxicology
PPA 122 Local Politics and Government

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

4th Semester

REQUIRED:

CMN 100 Professional Health Communication
ENH 325 Housing
ENH 422 Epidemiology: Communicable Diseases II
ENH 424 Water Quality
ENH 429 International Health
ENH 433 Food Hygiene: Safe Food Handling
ENH 505 Infection Control

  

5th & 6th Semester

5th Semester (Offered in Winter Term Only) 

REQUIRED:

ENH 522 Epidemiology: Research Methods
ENH 821 Health Administration
OHS 608 Hazard Recognition and Control

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED: One course from Table I.

6th Semester (Offered in Fall Term Only) 

REQUIRED:

ENH 440 Biostatistics
ENH 524 Pollution Control
ENH 733 Food Hygiene: Food Pathogens
OHS 508 Occupational Health

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

  

7th & 8th Semester

7th Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 610 Parasitology
ENH 712 Health Education
ENH 721 Public Health Law

REQUIRED GROUP 1†: One course from the following:

ENH 66A/B* Field Project
ENH 766 Research Project I

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

8th Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 809 Seminars
ENH 816 Health Promotion: Planning and Evaluation
ENH 825 Risk Assessment
ENH 911 Emergency Measures and Planning

REQUIRED GROUP 1†: One course from the following:

ENH 66A/B* Field Project
ENH 866 Research Project II

* ENH 66A/B may only be taken with permission of the School.

† In 7th Semester-8, in order to satisfy Required Group 1, students will complete:

  1. The two-term course ENH 66A/B, or
  2. ENH 766 and ENH 866, or
  3. ENH 766 and two (2) courses from Table I  

Sequencing of Academic and Work terms

The following table shows the sequence of academic and work terms for this program.

WKT courses are graded on a pass/fail basis.

1st & 2nd Semester

1st Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 121 Health Law
ENH 220 Foundations of Pathophysiology
ENH 324 Wastewater Treatment Systems
ENH 333 Introduction to Food Hygiene
ENH 440 Biostatistics
ENH 617 Applied Ecology
OHS 508 Occupational Health

2nd Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 122 Introduction to Epidemiology
ENH 325 Housing
ENH 424 Water Quality
ENH 433 Food Hygiene: Safe Food Handling
ENH 522 Epidemiology: Research Methods
OHS 208 Occupational Health and Safety Law
OHS 608 Hazard Recognition and Control

  

3rd & 4th Semester

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 322 Epidemiology: Communicable Diseases I
ENH 524 Pollution Control
ENH 610 Parasitology
ENH 712 Health Education
ENH 721 Public Health Law
ENH 733 Food Hygiene: Food Pathogens
OHS 322 Introductory Toxicology

4th Semester

REQUIRED:

ENH 422 Epidemiology: Communicable Diseases II
ENH 429* International Health
ENH 505 Infection Control
ENH 809* Seminars
ENH 816 Health Promotion: Planning and Evaluation
ENH 821 Health Administration
ENH 825 Risk Assessment
ENH 911 Emergency Measures and Planning

* With the permission of the School, students will be allowed to substitute a multi-term Research Project or Field Project approved by the School in place of both courses.