BS Occupational Health Science

Occupational Health Science is a science dedicated to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of hazards in the workplace. The industrial hygienist performs qualitative and quantitative workplace exposure assessments of adverse chemical, physical, radiological, and biological agents. The goal of occupational health science is to control such exposures to prevent fatalities, injuries, and/or illnesses that impact the health, performance and well-being of workers. At Purdue the occupational health science program emphasis is on exposure assessment and use of engineering controls to eliminate such hazards. This program stresses background in the basic sciences, specific courses in occupational health, and a hands-on industrial hygiene experience gained through laboratory exercises in environmental monitoring, field trips, and internships.