Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to produce a corps of Environmental Health Practitioners that will be able to implement the principles of risk assessment and management in order to improve the health of the community and contribute to sustainable development.

The curriculum will enable them to be able to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of control measures in order to make necessary improvements. In addition they will be able to apply research skills and interpret and apply legislation, regulations and policies related to Environmental Health and to advise/educate role players on specific issues. It is also intended that the Environmental Health Practitioner who graduates with this qualification will function as a member of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals in accordance with the scope of the profession. This graduate is expected to be able to communicate effectively, foster entrepreneurship, uphold professional and Environmental Health ethics and manage human, financial and physical resources within the scope of profession.

Rationale

This qualification is designed to address scarce and critical skills in the country. Learning and Development which forms an integral part of this qualification and Human Resource Management are cited as the third and fifth critical skills out of fifteen critical skills in the country.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In accordance with the University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy candidates may gain access to the qualification without the prerequisite formal qualification by being granted advanced standing on the basis of the assessment of prior learning. In addition registered learners in the qualification may have prior learning assessed to be granted exemption from certain modules according to the University's policy and procedures.

Entry Requirements

To qualify for admission to this qualification, candidates must meet the minimum entrance requirements with the following:

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Bachelor studies.
• Senior Certificate granting access to Bachelor studies.
• National Certificate (Vocational) NC(V), at NQF Level 4.

The qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF levels 5, 6, 7 and 8 totalling 480 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 5 (75.6)

• Chemistry, 8 Credits.
• Physics, 9 Credits.
• Anatomy and Physiology, 13.7 Credits.
• Sociology and Anthropology, 7.9 Credits.
• Mathematics, 7 Credits.
• Introduction to Environmental Health, 7 Credits.
• Communication, 7 Credits.
• Sustainable Development, 9 Credits.
• Computer Literacy, 7 Credits.

Modules at NQF level 6 (107.7)

• Environmental Health Management and Administration, 10 Credits.
• Planning for the Built Environment, 7 Credits.
• Food and Meat Safety, 10 Credits.
• Epidemiology, 15 Credits.
• Vector Control, 13 Credits.
• Biostatistics, 9.7 Credits.
• Environmental Health Promotion, 13 Credits.
• Water Quality Management, 13 Credits.
• Occupational Health and Safety (Physical Stressors), 17 Credits.

Modules at NQF level 7 (112.5)

• Environmental Health Promotion, 13.9 Credits.
• Food and Meat Safety, 14 Credits.
• Epidemiology, 13 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 7 Credits.
• Waste Management, 14 Credits.
• Air Quality Management, 15 Credits.
• Occupational Health and Safety (Chemical Stressors), 15 Credits.
• Project Management, 7.6 Credits.
• Environmental Law and Legal Processes, 13 Credits.

Modules at NQF level 8 (184.2)

• Environmental Health Management and Administration, 13 Credits.
• Disaster Management, 9 Credits.
• Food Management, 15 Credits.
• Health Information Management, 12 Credits.
• Research Project, 20.1 Credits.
• Environmental Management, 14 Credits.
• Environmental Toxicology, 7 Credits.
• Occupational Health and Safety (Management Systems), 14 Credits.
• Ethics and Professional Practice, 7 Credits.
• Environmental Health Law and Legal Processes, 13 Credits.
• Work integrated Learning 60.1 Credits.

1. Apply the principles of ethics, relevant legislation and professional behaviour within the Environmental Health milieu.
2. Integrate and apply foundational scientific principles and knowledge to Environmental Health sciences.

> Range includes, but is not limited to Chemistry, Microbiology, Physics, Mathematics, Ecology/Geology, Anatomy and Physiology (human and animal), Sociology and Anthropology.

1. Undertake experiential learning in the workplace.
2. Manage Environmental Health risks within natural, socio-economic, built and working environments within the scope of the profession.
3. Manage Environmental Health promotion programmes.

> Range: manage refers to: design, develop, implement and evaluate.

1. Manage Environmental Health services.

> Range: Manage will involve financial, human, physical resources, as well as the planning, control and utilisation thereof.

1. Demonstrate project management skills within a project management lifecycle.
2. Conduct and participate in Environmental Health research.
3. Demonstrate interpersonal relations and professional behaviour in terms of the ethical code.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Ethical and legal responsibilities pertaining to the Profession are applied during all interactions with clients, colleagues and/or the community.
• All activities are performed in terms of ethical rules of the HPCSA, the Scope of the profession, the Environmental Health package of services and the Batho Pele principles.
• Professional and personal growth is achieved through the assumption of various roles within the Environmental Health milieu or community setting and is evidenced during interactions between practitioners and communities/clients and/or practitioner and colleagues.

> Range: includes but is not limited to: educator, facilitator, administrator, project manager, law enforcement officer, community developer and researcher.

• Interactions with community groups, Non-Governmental Organisations, clients and media are handled using tactful, objective, non-confrontational, culturally acceptable and language sensitive communication skills.
• The requirements for registrations with the HPCSA and professional bodies are fulfilled.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Physical, chemical, biochemical and biological principles are integrated and applied in the identifying, assessing managing and controlling of Environmental Health risks and services.
• Anatomical, Physiological, Pathophysiological and Mathematical principles and knowledge are integrated and applied in the identifying, assessing managing and controlling of Environmental Health risks and services.
• Social and behavioural principles and knowledge are integrated and applied by means of community outreach, project facilitation and related Environmental Health services.

Associated Assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Expected outcomes are demonstrated according to the level of competence of the learner in collaboration with the relevant workplace mentors and supervisors.
• Portfolios are completed in accordance with expected outcomes, required learning experience and in agreement with workplace mentors and supervisors.
• The ability to initiate, plan, manage and monitor and evaluate community projects in accordance with the relevant policies and regulations of HE institutions is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Current and potential health risks are identified and their impacts are assessed within the Environmental Health field, using applicable strategies.
• Health risks are recognised in accordance with relevant legislation and best practice.

> Range: legislation includes, but is not limited to all health and environmental related acts and regulation, codes of practice, norms and standards and work procedures.

• A comprehensive risk management plan is compiled in accordance with relevant legislation and best practice.
• All intervention measures for the identified Environmental Health risk are evaluated to determine corrective actions.
• The effectiveness of the comprehensive risk management plan is monitored and reviewed.
• Current and potential risks are addressed by applying various strategies.

> Range: various strategies include: Environmental Impact Assessment, Social Impact Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment, and Health Impact Assessment.

• The effectiveness of the comprehensive risk management plan is monitored and reviewed.
• Findings, recommendations and requirements are reported in an acceptable format.
• Verification tools are developed to measure and evaluate all elements of the Environmental Health risk management.

> Range: 'tools' could include surveys, questionnaires, statistical packages and reports.

• Public participation is conducted at all stages of the development and implementation of the risk management plan.
• A report is presented in an acceptable report format and outcomes communicated to the relevant stakeholders.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• A situational analysis is performed in the community by collecting information, conducting meetings and interviews and by complying with acceptable protocols.

> Range: community refers to but are not limited to the community leaders, Non-Governmental Organisation demographic make-up of communities, available resources and current health promotion projects.

• Sustainable health promotion programmes are designed, implemented, monitored and evaluated in compliance with accepted national policies and guidelines of health promotion.
• Multi-disciplinary promotion programmes are participated in.
• Participatory methodologies are used to promote Environmental Health amongst communities in the working, living and recreational environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Administrative skills are applied in context by applying the relevant management norms and standards.
• A skills development plan is drawn up.
• Policies, legislation and guidelines are critically reviewed and developed.
• Policies, legislation and guideline gaps are identified and analysed and recommendations are developed and applied.
• Human resources are managed within an Environmental Health context.
• Labour relations policies and legislation are reviewed and applied in context.

> Range: labour relations, basic conditions of employment, Employment equity, Prevention of Discrimination Act, HIV and AIDS (AMS 16000), CPD).

• The relationship between health, environment and sustainable development is applied in the context of Environmental Health service delivery.
• Financial matters and physical resources of an Environmental Health service are managed adhering to relevant legislative requirements.
• Accounts, budgets and financial procedures are controlled in accordance with applicable legislation.
• Environmental Health information system is managed.

> Range: manage include collection, collation, interpretation, analysing, application and recording.

• Relevant electronic/software programmes for Environmental Health information system management are applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• The project is planned, fully implemented, managed and assessed adhering to project management principles.
• Time-management and financial management principles are applied within a project.
• The project is monitored and evaluated adhering to project management principles.
• Results are communicated (verbally and in writing) in an acceptable format to the relevant stakeholders.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• A research need/theme/problem are identified.
• The research proposal reflects national and international accepted guidelines and ethical norms.
• Research principles are applied in design and conduct of investigation.
• Research data is managed in line with prescribed guidelines.
• Intervention measures are developed to confirm research objectives.
• Intervention measures are implemented and evaluated.
• Results are communicated in appropriate format (verbal and in writing).
• The report reflects interpretation, prioritisation and applicability of data completely and accurately.
• The research report addresses the identified problem as stated in the proposal.
• The report reflects intervention measures according to the findings of the research.
• Feedback of research results and recommendations is given to all role players.
• The presentation demonstrates the research capability according to institutional guidelines.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Communication strategies are developed and managed to improve Environmental Health services.
• All forms of communication are handled promptly, politely, and professionally.

> Range: all forms of communication include, but are not limited to letter and e-mail correspondence, telephone calls, site visits, group discussions, meetings, and presentations.

• Protocols for communicating Environmental Health issues to community members are developed.
• Participatory sessions are planned.
• Systems for the communication of strategies for the delivery of Environmental Health services are developed and reviewed.
• Resolution of conflicts is facilitated within the work environment.
• Conflict resolution skills are demonstrated.

> Range: skills include, but are not limited to, listening skills, respect for diversity, understanding the history and context of the conflict, identifying the nucleus of the problem separate from the symptoms, finding common ground and areas of agreement, as well as identifying negotiable and non-negotiable areas.

• Communication and marketing strategies that are related to Environmental Health are managed.
• Complicated issues and procedures are explained to the level of the target audience.
• Opportunities for public speaking are sought to broaden the audience on Environmental Health issues.
• Various public speaking skills are demonstrated by applying a variety of resources and methods.

> Range: resources include, but are not limited to, electronic software, slides, posters, flip-charts, pamphlets, exhibitions, role-play, mentoring and debate.

• Marketing strategies that are tactful, objective, non-confrontational, culturally and linguistically sensitive are demonstrated to articulate the goals, purposes, problems, and needs of Environmental Health.
• Marketing strategies are evaluated and appropriate remedial actions are taken.

Integrated Assessment

Assessments will comprise

• 3x formative assessments that would constitute a year mark which contributes 80% of the final examination mark.
• 2x written assignments that contribute 20% of the year mark.
• A written summation assessment (examination) is written at the end of the academic year.