Co-op program details

Bachelor of Environmental Public Health (Honours)

Program details

Credential: 4-Year Bachelor of Environmental Public Health (Honours)

This innovative four-year degree program instills graduates with knowledge of environmental health theory and its application.

The curriculum focuses on experiential learning activities specific to disease prevention and creating healthy, supportive environments. Fundamental professional practices are obtained through project-based learning, case studies and interactions with working professionals in a hands-on learning environment equipped with the latest technology.

Students practice the integrated knowledge and skills related to environmental epidemiology and toxicology as well as risk exposure and assessment. In addition, students develop strong critical thinking, leadership and risk assessment abilities as well as the professional communication skills required to work successfully in inter-professional teams.

Graduates are well-prepared for a number of progressive careers as environmental and public health practitioners in both the public and private sectors.

Student availability & wage data

Conestoga College facilitates recruitment on an ongoing basis - there are no hard deadlines. Typical time frames for work terms are listed below.

Postings are accepted beginning four months before the start of a term until all students have secured employment provided the minimum 12 consecutive weeks of full-time work is met.

Work/Study Sequence

Year Fall (Sept - Dec) Winter (Jan - Apr) Spring (May - Aug)
Year 1 Classes Classes
Year 2 Classes Classes
Year 3 Classes Classes Work Term: $17-29
Year 4 Classes Classes

Conestoga College collects data on hourly wages of co-operative education students and offers suggested ranges as a service to employers for the purpose of establishing fair and competitive compensation.

Our experience has been that employers increase wages as skills increase, particularly when employing students for more advanced work terms. The Co-operative Education Office can provide assistance to employers in establishing appropriate wage rates.

Work term capabilities

Compliance Inspection and Auditing
  • Conduct food premise, recreational water, drinking water, infection prevention and control and compliance inspections as well as quality assurance and safety audits
  • Assess safe food and sanitation procedures
  • Assist with the application of the provisions of the Health Protection and Promotion Act and Environmental Sampling
  • Collect water, food and environmental samples for analysis
  • Perform bathing beach environmental monitoring
  • Perform mosquito trapping and tick dragging
  • Interpret food, water and environmental sample results and make recommendations for corrective actions
Disease Prevention and Control
  • Assist with communicable disease follow-ups and investigations
  • Assist with outbreak management
  • Assist with case and contact tracing
  • Apply risk assessment and control strategies to chemical, biological and physical hazards in the environment
Research and Risk Assessment
  • Perform independent primary and secondary research
  • Select and use appropriate research methods to answer research questions
  • Gather and analyze data and information requirements related to environmental public health issues
  • Assist with human health and environmental risk assessment
Communication
  • Write technical reports; develop and deliver presentations
  • Demonstrate advanced oral and written communications and interpersonal skills required for communication with the public, media and internal stakeholders
  • Carry out human relations activities in a professional manner
  • Apply computer skills in Electronic Inspection Software, Atlantic Risk Based Corrective Action (RBCA), Risk Categorization Tool (RCat) as well as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Sample job titles

  • Student Public Health Inspector
  • Public Health Assistant
  • Student Environmental Health Officer
  • Food Safety Specialist
  • Quality Assurance Officer/Technician
  • Environmental / Ecological Technician
  • Pest Control Technician / Sales and Service Technician
  • West Nile Virus Technician
  • Environmental Health Officer
  • Environmental Enforcement Officer
  • Environmental Health Consultant
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Environment & Food Security Program Assistant
  • Environmental Stewardship Program Assistant
  • Student Research Analyst
  • Student Risk Management Coordinator

Program courses

To see a typical course list for this program, see the current program course information.

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Contact information

Do you need help developing a recruitment plan or job posting, accessing wage information, or connecting with a talented co-op student? Contact:

Jeff Hoekman
Employer Relations Consultant
Jhoekman@conestogac.on.ca
519-748-5220 ext. 5137