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HSAT Student Information
Introduction
This student manual is an attempt to outline some of the expectations that will be common to most students. It is a living document and is in a constant state of update, and as such, this document carries with it some responsibility for you as a student of the HSAT Program. As new information is determined to be appropriate for inclusion in this document and to your education, it will be provided on this web site. You are responsible for reviewing and understanding everything in it! In this context, if something is not done that is outlined in here, you carry the responsibility.
The excuse: "I didn't know I was suppose to do that" will not work.
Needless to say, it is imperative you familiarize yourself with the contents of this document and refer back to it periodically.
At times, you will be overwhelmed with the number of forms, reports, paperwork, etc. for which you are responsible. Most likely at one time or another in your education, officials from the following organizations will make demands of you:
Emphasis of Study
Students entering the Hazardous Substance Academic Training emphasis are admitted into either the MPH or the MSPH track. Both degrees with emphasis in HSAT are complementary tracks, each one aimed at a different but a specific type of candidate. Both degree tracks are accredited by ABIH/ABET-RAC.
MSPH: This track is a two year program emphasizing the art and science of public health and HSAT. This track includes a significant research component. The MSPH track is most appropriate for students entering the program:
- immediately from an under-graduate education,
- with limited HSAT experience,
- with aspirations for further education (i.e., Ph.D),
- with a desire to improve their research and investigative skills.
MPH: This track with emphasis in HSAT is aimed specifically at the individual who has demonstrated professional experience.
- the working professional (with clearly demonstrated knowledge and experience)
- one who desires to improve their technical knowledge but is in a career position to also increase management skills,
- one who meets the above descriptors and who desires additional credentials.
Which Track is for you?
Some candidates will be obvious for the MPH track (e.g., anyone possessing a CIH). If you have questions, you may want to consult a faculty member.
Study Plan
HSAT Program Study Plan - Also called the Application for Admission to Candidacy for the Master's Degree, is to be completed by student and academic advisor by the first week of school. It must be signed by you and your advisor. You will get a copy and a copy will go in your RMCOEH file. ALL changes in your study plan MUST be approved by your academic advisor before you register for new/changed classes listed on it and before you report it to Miriam Felton . If you wish to have a class waived, you must put your request in writing with justification. If your academic advisor agrees, have him/her sign it and give it to Miriam to put into your file. Forms are available from your academic advisor.
Student Funding
It is critically important that you understand graduate level preparation is more than getting acceptable grades in your classes. It includes such things as research preparation, supplemental training opportunities, continuing education (CE) training, and service opportunities.
Most of your funding comes from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) which is part of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Students enter into a contractual agreement with the IH Program when they accept support for their education and training. The agreement will differ depending on the level of support provided. The student and faculty will agree upon the support and related expectations prior to the student entering the program. The support can be re-negotiated following each semester. If you have questions regarding your funding, your best help will come from your advisor.
Full NIOSH Support
As a student who is being supported with tuition, fees and a monthly stipend, we consider you a full-time student. You receive this funding through the RMCOEH so you can maintain a level of commitment to your graduate level preparation. You may feel you require additional income and/or professional level experience to supplement the program. However, the faculty believe that outside work not only impairs your ability to devote time to the program, but may be an indication that monies could be given to other students in even greater financial need. If you receive NIOSH support we must maintain a record of your outside work activities. As they change, please advise HSAT faculty and staff.
Partial NIOSH Support
Some students may be supported at less than full-time support. Expectations of student efforts outside the classroom will be dependent on the level of support.
WCF Scholarship
The Workers Compensation Fund (WCF) of Utah has an on-going relationship with the HSAT Program at the Rocky Mountain Center. Each year, two students are chosen to receive partial tuition, fees and stipend support. This funding is supplemented with other funding sources at the Rocky Mountain Center. Students who are awarded the WCF Scholarship must give the money to the HSAT Program who will administer the monies for the student. Students who receive the WCF Scholarship can have their books paid for with this money.
Other Support
Students who receive a RMCOEH stipend will receive a tuition waiver from the Graduate School. If you receive full stipend all of your tuition will be waived up to twelve hours per semester. Anything over the twelve hours will be paid by RMCOEH. If you receive partial stipend then an equal percentage of your tuition will be waived. Payment of the remainder will depend on the contract which you have with your advisor. You MUST take a minimum of 9 hours per semester to qualify for the waiver. Failure to do so could result in your having to pay your own tuition. ALWAYS follow your study plan to avoid such possible problems. Each semester you will be required to see Peggy Christensen to sign a form stating that you understand the terms of this tuition waiver program.
If you receive a stipend you can pick up your check from your advisor by approximately the 8th of each month beginning in September and ending in June. The September check will most likely be one to two weeks later than the others, so plan accordingly. You will not receive funding during the summer. Each semester you will need to check in with Miriam Felton by Tuesday of the week that tuition is due. Be sure to bring your tuition bill if you have one.
If you have a student loan, tell Miriam. When you have a student loan the University will first take your tuition from your loan and then you will be sent the remainder of your loan when the tuition program gets through the system.
Whatever the situation - NEVER underestimate the length of time that it takes something to get through "THE SYSTEM." THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS!
Forms
RMCOEH Forms
- NIOSH Funding Forms (Fill out this form if you are to receive NIOSH support. To be completed during orientation (or before). These same forms must ALSO be completed by the first day of fall classes in your second year. Forms are available from Deanne Clegg)
U of U Graduate School Forms
Forms for Thesis Submittal
Comprehensive Exam
Every student enrolled in the Public Health Program is required to pass a comprehensive exam (form filed by student's committee chair). You are eligible to take this exam once you have completed the core courses of the Public Health Program: (Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Social Context, Environmental Health Problems, OEH Administration, and Public Health Principles).
Usually, the exam is offered at the end of spring semester and (if there are enough students) at the end of fall semester. The date and time of the comprehensive exam is announced each semester by the Public Health Program's Project Coordnator, Peggy Christensen. You must communicate to Peggy, in advance, your intent to take this exam. Failure to notify her within one week of the announcement may result in your having to postpone the exam. You must be registered the semester that you take the exam. Details of the exam are provided at an appropriate time.
Practicum
You will need to complete a internship (usually during the summer between your first and second year). The Department of Family and Preventive Medicine requirements set a minimum of 100 hours. This is an opportunity for direct, hands-on work experience comparable to that in a career position of an industrial hygienist. A practicum is intended to be a broadening experience for students, not something that you already know and/or do.For working professionals, this must be outside normal responsibilities.
Early in the spring semester of your first year you should begin to identify possible opportunities. If requests for students for summer work come in to the Rocky Mountain Center they will be provided to you. The MPH/MSPH program keeps a data base of previous practicum sites and current opportunities. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to line one up.
The business of the site should be closely related to the practice of industrial hygiene. The work experience available at the site must include hands-on experience with the regular work of the site. The site mentor must be available to supervise and evaluate your experience.
Refer to Practicum section of the Public Health Guidelines available from the Public Health website or see Public Health staff members.
Research
The goal of research is to increase your critical thinking and analytical skills. Many students will never be involved in a formal research project again. However, everyone who works in the profession of IH will have to plan, review, or oversee efforts which have significant components of formal research. The skills that each student develops in this research effort will indirectly apply to numerous things he/she will do every day.
Data obtained from research performed as a student in the HSAT Program becomes the property of the HSAT Program and the University of Utah.
There are two options for research - thesis or project. One of the keys to a successful thesis or project is to keep in close contact with your committee. Better to find out that something is wrong in the beginning than during your defense! Each research option, in turn, has two options for registering for research credits...
FPMD 6977 / 6978 Thesis Research Option
If you choose the thesis, your final product will be a bound "book" which will be submitted to the Graduate School and which will be shelved at the Marriott Library. The thesis document is a comprehensive report of you research effort. It will have an Abstract, extensive Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results and Discussion, and Conclusion sections. In addition, it will have any appropriate appendices and an inclusive reference section. You must follow the Graduate School editorial requirements for the thesis. You must get the document approved by the University Thesis Editor.
FPMD 6977 - Thesis Research
Unless otherwise instructed by HSAT faculty or staff, these are the thesis credits to register for.
FPMD 6978 - Funded Thesis Research
Registering for funded thesis has a $750 course fee associated with it. If your research has material costs associated with it, this may be appropriate. Often times the HSAT Program will pay for the course fee. However, do not register for funded thesis without HSAT faculty or staff permission and do NOT register for "funded" more than once.
FPMD 6975 / 6976 Project Research Option
If you choose the Project, your final product will be a manuscript which may be submitted to an appropriate journal. The manuscript is an abridged report of you research effort. It will have an Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results and Discussion, and Conclusion section. In addition, it will provide references critical to supporting your study hypothesis and data interpretation. You must follow the "instructions to author" provided by the journal you and your research committee decide upon.
A full-time HSAT Faculty member will be identified as the "contact author." This assures that we are kept informed of the progress of the manuscript in the peer-review process. It is our goal that you be first author on the manuscript. As comments and instructions come back from the journal, they will be immediately forwarded to you. You and your research advisor will agree upon a time-line for responding to the journal. If you fail to meet this time-line, your research advisor has the option of following through on the manuscript. In the event your research advisor takes the primary role, (s)he may choose to become first author.
FPMD 6975 - Project Research
Unless otherwise instructed by HSAT faculty or staff, these are the project credits to register for.
FPMD 6976 - Funded Project Research
Registering for funded project has a $750 course fee associated with it. If your research has material costs associated with it, this may be appropriate. Often times the HSAT Program will pay for the course fee. However, do not register for funded project without HSAT faculty or staff permission and do NOT register for "funded" more than once.
Research grades
The 10 research credits will be graded with a letter grade. If the student takes more than 10 research credits, credits in excess of 10 will be graded with a credit/no-credit grade.
You will be required to take one credit hour of research each of your first 2 semesters. You will receive a grade for that hour and will be required to attend a one hour research class each week. The time and day of the week will be set at the beginning of each semester.
Instrument/equipment/materials
Often times instruments, equipment, and materials are purchased to support a student's research project. These belong to HSAT Program and the University of Utah. All computer programs, instruments, equipment and un-used materials must be returned to the Rocky Mountain Center.
Reimbursement of Research Expenses
It is better to ask for permission than forgiveness!
Reimbursement of expenses after the fact can be difficult. Be sure to clear any expenses with your advisor AND Miriam Felton prior to spending money. If you do not get permission first, your expenses might not be reimbursed.
IRB
Research involving human or animal test subjects must be approved by the Institutional Review Board(IRB). This exercise assures protection of the subjects from unnecessary pain and suffering and assures you protection from liability. This is a slow process so start early.
Miscellaneous Info Which You Will Need to Know
- During your practicum and/or the beginning of fall semester of your second year, identify possible research topics. Discuss them with your advisor before forming your research committee.
- You will be expected to report monthly to your research chair the progress you are making on your research.
- Non-disposable items which are purchased for your research from Rocky Mountain Center funds must be returned to RMCOEH.
- Beginning spring semester 2001, if second year students are not on track and up to date on their research time line, their funding could be suspended until such time when s/he are back on target. Lost funds will not be distributed - they will be lost.
- All drafts and final paper must be clearly dated. Final paper must be marked "FINAL."
- Your committee "reads and comments upon endless drafts of the thesis or publishable paper and, finally-exhausted-schedules the project defense." As quoted from Dorothy Crockett.
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