Master of Philosophy in Health Sciences Programme
Occupational Hygiene
GENERAL INFORMATION
Introduction
The increasing concern about chemical, physical and biological hazards
in the environment and the health and safety of workers has prompted the
formation of a new graduate programme in Occupational Hygiene at the University
of Bergen, Norway.
Occupational hygiene, the investigation of the workplace environment,
emphasizes the evaluation and improvement of workplace health and safety.
The occupational hygienist works to identify and evaluate chemical, physical
and biological exposure risks in diverse workplace settings. The hygienist
then acts on this information to implement changes or controls which will
eliminate or reduce these potential hazards. In a multidisciplinary approach,
the study of workplace health and safety draws upon the disciplines of
chemistry, physics, engineering, medicine and many others. There are few
such programmes in the world. This programme is the only University-level
programme in occupational hygiene in Norway, but the programme will address
the growing demand for occupational professionals both in Norway and in
other countries.
Programme objective
The primary objective of the programme is to provide academic and professional
hygienists with the expertise to identify and evaluate the risks associated
with physical, chemical and biological hazards in the workplace and with
the skills to effect changes which will eliminate or control these hazards.
Strengths of the Occupational Hygiene Programme
- a part of The Master of Philosophy in Health Sciences Programme
The programme is the result of an interdisciplinary planning process which
began in 1995. The programme is at part of The Master of Philosophy in
Health Sciences Programme administrated at the Centre for International
Health at the University of Bergen, and will be carried out at the Department
of Public Health and Primary Health Care, Division of Occupational Medicine.
This Department is a part of the Faculty of Medicine at the University
of Bergen. This department has a long tradition concerning interdisciplinary
co-operation, and this will ensure that the programme maintains an interdisciplinary
character, presenting an incentive for applicants to interact with people
in related disciplines as they attend the courses. The programme will also
have teachers from other faculties at the University.
Admission requirements
The candidates to the Master of Science in Occupational Hygiene at the
Faculty of Medicine must fulfil the basic requirements for admission to
the University of Bergen. The candidates admitted are Bachelors of Science
(B.Sc.) from a University, from a Technical College or candidates with
equivalent qualifications. Main subjects in the B.Sc. are chemistry, biology
and/or physics. Documented knowledge of English is required.
Programme organisation
The two-year programme (4 semesters) consists of two main components:
Theoretical training (first and second semester):
The theoretical training consists of 20 credits of courses. These courses
are described in detail on the next pages. Courses corresponding to 6 credits
are selected from those given by the Centre for International Health at
the University of Bergen. The other courses are given by the Department
of Public Health and Primary Health Care. In particular the courses given
during the second semester will be based on the pedagogical principles
of Problem-Based Learning, which means that the students have to solve
problems by practical and theoretical work. The aim is to learn from own
experience.
Research project/thesis (third and fourth semester):
During the first year of the programme the candidate must, in co-operation
with a supervisor, define and plan a research project. The project must
be carried out during the second year of the programme, and a thesis must
be written.
COURSES AND SEMINARS
A. Introductory course
All students must participate in the introductory course arranged during
the first two weeks. This course is held by the Office for Foreign Students
and provides an introduction to the Norwegian University system and to
topics relevant for the stay in Norway. The students may also attend a
basic course in Norwegian.
B. Compulsory courses
Part 1: Basic courses (First semester;
10 credits)
The first five courses are arranged at the Centre of International Health.
For details, see specific information from the Centre. Course no. 6 and
7 are arranged at the Division of Occupational Medicine. For details see
appendix.
1. Basic course in research tools and theory (2 weeks, 2 credits)
Use of computers
The medical library/Medline/CD-ROM
Philosophy of science and research ethics
Reseach planning
How to write a scientific paper
2. Statistics (2 weeks, 2 credits)
3. Epidemiology (2 weeks, 2 credits)
4. Disease prevention and health promotion (1 week, 1 credit)
5. Medical anthropology (1 week, 1 credit)
6. Introduction to occupational hygiene (15h, 1 credit)
OH as a profession
Main concepts in OH.
Regulations and standardizations
Litterature/sources of information
7. Introduction to occupational health (15h, 1 credit)
Work and health
Work-related disorders
Organisation of occupational health.
Part 2: Chemical and biological factors
in the working environment (Second semester; 5 credits).
1. Monitoring chemical factors in the working environment (50 h, 3 credits)
Air pollution in the working atmosphere
Methods for measurements
Sampling and analysis
Excursions and exercises
Writing of report based on results from the exercises
(more details in appendix)
2. Preventive measures for chemical factors (15 h, 1 credit)
Elimination/substitution of chemicals
Processtechnical measures
Ventilation
Administrative changes
Personal protective equipment
(more details in appendix)
3. Biological factors in the working environment (15 h, 1 credit)
Sources (bacteria, viruses, moulds, cell fragments)
Exposure in different work environments
Health effects
Monitoring biological factors - preventive measures
(more details in appendix)
Part 3: Physical factors in the working
environment (Second semester; 5 credits)
4. Noise and vibrations (30h, 2 credits)
Health effects of noise
Measurements of noise
Technical measures to reduce noise
Field exercises - written report
Body vibrations and hand - arm vibrations
Monitoring and assessment of exposure
(more details in appendix)
5. Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation - electromagnetic fields (EMF)
(7 h, 0,5 credit)
Radioactive sources and health effects
Monitoring exposure to radioactivity and protective measures
Electromagnetic spectrum: basic characteristics
Different types and sources of EMF
Health effects
Monitoring and assessments
Protective measures
(more details in appendix)
6. Indoor climate (15 h, 1 credit)
Parameters of indoor climate
Health and indoor climate
Monitoring and assessment of indoor air
Improvment of indoor air quality/technical measures
(more details in appendix)
7. Safety and risk assessment (15h, 1 credit)
Terminology and definitions
Working accidents
Methods for risk assessment
Preparedness measures - safety inspections
(more details in appendix)
8. Environmental pollution (7h, 0,5 credit)
Air, water and soil pollution
Hazardous wastes
(more details in appendix)
Part 4: Thesis and final examination
(Third and fourth semester; 20 credits)
At the end of the two year programme, the candidate will submit a thesis.
The thesis is made up of the following steps:
-
Review of the appropriate literature
-
Development of a research proposal
-
Data collection and experimental work
-
Writing of the thesis
EXAMINATION
The thesis will be evaluated by a committee nominated by the Medical Faculty.
The candidate will defend the thesis as part of an oral examination before
the committee. The thesis should be presented as a monograph of approximately
80-120 pages, including the following chapters; introduction, material
and methods, results, discussion and relevant references.
PROGRAMME COORDINATION
The programme is coordinated by:
Bernt Lindtjørn
Ass.professor, dr.med.
Programme coordinator for the main programme - Master of Philosophy
in Health Science
Centre for International Health
Bente E. Moen
Professor, dr.med.
Programme coordinator for the specific programme in occupational hygiene
Division of Occupational Medicine
Magne Bråtveit
Occupational hygienist, dr.scient
Division of Occupational Medicine
Bjørg Eli Hollund
Occupational hygienist, cand.scient
Division of Occupational Medicine
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Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, last updated 14.09.99
Hogne.Sandvik@isf.uib.no