School of Environmental Sciences
Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health
Bachelor of Science with Honours in
Environmental and Occupational Health
Degree Designation: B.Sc. (Hons) Environmental and Occupational Health
Introduction
Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) is a field dedicated to understanding and controlling the environmental, occupational, and community health hazards that threaten the well-being of people. It bridges the disciplines of public health, environmental science, toxicology, and workplace safety to protect individuals and communities from exposure to harmful physical, chemical, biological, and psychosocial agents.
The Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours in Environmental and Occupational Health programme prepares students to identify, evaluate, and control health hazards in workplaces and the broader environment. Graduates are equipped to conduct epidemiological investigations, design health surveillance programmes, enforce occupational safety regulations, and promote healthy environments in Sierra Leone and beyond.
Every person deserves a safe workplace and a healthy environment. Training skilled environmental and occupational health professionals is fundamental to Sierra Leone's sustainable development and public health infrastructure.
Rationale
Sierra Leone faces significant occupational and environmental health challenges, including exposure to hazardous mining operations, agricultural chemicals, inadequate sanitation, and industrial pollutants. A trained workforce in environmental and occupational health is critical for protecting communities and workers, reducing preventable disease, and complying with international health and safety standards.
This programme responds to the growing demand for qualified professionals who can work with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, employers, trade unions, and international agencies to safeguard health in occupational and environmental settings.
Aims, Goals & Objectives
The programme aims to produce graduates with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to protect and improve human health through effective management of environmental and occupational hazards across all sectors of society.
Hazard Identification
Students learn to identify physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic hazards in occupational and community environments.
Health Surveillance
Students design and implement occupational and environmental health surveillance and monitoring systems.
Epidemiology
Students apply epidemiological methods to investigate disease patterns linked to environmental exposures.
Safety Management
Students develop and manage workplace health and safety programmes in compliance with national and international standards.
Health Promotion
Students engage communities in health promotion strategies and environmental disease prevention.
Target Group
This programme is suitable for students with backgrounds in the biological sciences, chemistry, and health sciences who wish to pursue careers at the intersection of public health and environmental management.
Intended career pathways:
- Occupational health and safety officers
- Environmental health inspectors and officers
- Public health agencies and ministries
- Mining, construction, and industrial sectors
- International health organisations (WHO, ILO)
- Postgraduate studies in public and environmental health
Entry Requirements
General University Requirements:
Five credits at GCE "O" Level or WASSCE, including English Language, in not more than two (2) sittings.
Departmental Requirements:
At least grade 6 or better in five subjects, including at least two from: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Agriculture, Geography, or Human Biology.
Programme Structure
The programme is organised into eight semesters with a minimum of 126 credit hours for graduation, distributed as follows:
📅 First Year Courses
| Code | Semester 1 Course | Cr. Hrs | Code | Semester 2 Course | Cr. Hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL 101 | Cell Biology, Genetics, Physiology & Microbiology | 3 | BIOL 102 | Introduction to Botany and Zoology | 3 |
| CHEM 101 | General Chemistry I | 3 | CHEM 102 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| MATHS 121 | Pre-Calculus | 3 | MATHS 122 | Introduction to Calculus, Applied Maths & Statistics | 3 |
| PHYS 101 | Forces, Motion and Thermal Physics | 3 | PHYS 102 | Radiation and Optics | 3 |
| GEOG 101 | Introduction to Physical Geography | 3 | GEOG 102 | Intro. to Human Geography & Geography of Sierra Leone | 3 |
| GEST 111 | English Language | 2 | GEST 112 | English Language | 2 |
| ICT 121 | Information & Communication Technology | 3 | ICT 122 | Information & Communication Technology | 3 |
| Semester 1 Total | 20 | Semester 2 Total | 20 | ||
📅 Second Year Courses
| Code | Semester 1 Course | Cr. Hrs | Code | Semester 2 Course | Cr. Hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EOH 211 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 | EOH 217 | Environmental Monitoring Techniques | 3 |
| EOH 212 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 | EOH 218 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| EOH 213 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 | EOH 219 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| EOH 214 | Principles of Epidemiology | 3 | EOH 2110 | First Aid and Emergency Care | 3 |
| EOH 215 | Environmental Chemistry | 3 | EOH 2111 | Introduction to Toxicology | 3 |
| EOH 216 | Principles of Occupational Health | 3 | EOH 2112 | Sanitation and Hygiene | 3 |
| ENG 201 | English Language | 2 | ENG 202 | English Language | 2 |
| Semester 1 Total | 20 | Semester 2 Total | 20 | ||
📅 Third Year Courses
| Code | Semester 1 Course | Cr. Hrs | Code | Semester 2 Course | Cr. Hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EOH 3113 | Occupational Safety and Health Management | 3 | EOH 3220 | Environmental Impact Assessment | 3 |
| EOH 3114 | Research Methods in Public Health | 3 | EOH 3221 | Vector Control and Disease Prevention | 3 |
| EOH 3115 | Industrial Hygiene | 3 | EOH 3222 | Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) | 3 |
| EOH 3116 | Hazardous Materials Management | 3 | EOH 3223 | GIS Applications in Public Health | 3 |
| EOH 3117 | Environmental Health Policy and Law | 3 | EOH 3224 | Occupational Epidemiology | 3 |
| EOH 3118 | Ergonomics and Work-Related Disorders | 3 | EOH 3225 | Health and Safety at Work Regulations | 3 |
| EOH 3119 | Climate Change and Health | 3 | EOH 3226 | Group Seminar and Scientific Writing | 3 |
| Semester 1 Total | 21 | Semester 2 Total | 21 | ||
📅 Fourth Year Courses
Semester 1 — Taught Courses
| Code | Course | Cr. |
|---|---|---|
| EOH 4127 | Environmental and Occupational Health Law | 3 |
| EOH 4128 | Community Health Needs Assessment | 3 |
| EOH 4129 | Mine Safety and Environmental Health | 3 |
| EOH 4130 | Global Environmental Health | 3 |
| EOH 4131 | Environmental Disease Surveillance | 3 |
| Total | 15 | |
Semester 2 — Completion Requirements
- Industrial Attachment
- Research Project / Dissertation
- Directed Readings
- Final Comprehensive Examinations
Assessment & Grading System
A five-point letter grading system is used in assessing students, following the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) guidelines. Continuous assessment includes class attendance and participation, assignments, field projects, presentations, and written examinations.
Grading Scale
| Marks (%) | Grade | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 75 and above | A | 5.0 |
| 65 – 74 | B | 4.0 |
| 50 – 64 | C | 3.0 |
| 40 – 49 | D | 2.0 |
| 30 – 39 | E | 1.0 |
| Below 30 | F | 0.0 |
Honours Classification (FGPA)
| Class | FGPA Range |
|---|---|
| First Class | 4.3 and above |
| Second Class (Upper) | 4.00 – 4.29 |
| Second Class (Lower) | 3.60 – 3.99 |
| Third Class | 3.00 – 3.59 |
Programme Learning Outcomes
By the end of the programme, students will have acquired comprehensive knowledge and practical skills, including the capacity to:
Identify and evaluate occupational and environmental health hazards across industrial, agricultural, mining, and community settings.
Design and implement health surveillance and monitoring programmes to detect and control work-related and environmentally caused diseases.
Apply epidemiological and biostatistical methods to investigate health outcomes associated with environmental exposures.
Develop and enforce workplace health and safety management systems in compliance with national and international standards.
Engage communities and stakeholders in environmental health promotion and disease prevention programmes.
Teaching & Learning
A learner-centred approach incorporating theoretical instruction and practical hands-on exercises, including field group projects, seminars, laboratory work, and simulation exercises.
Resources Required
At least three core lecturers with specialised expertise in the programme disciplines. Essential physical resources include classrooms, laboratories, and field survey equipment.
Monitoring & Review
The programme is monitored according to Njala University and TEC Quality Assurance guidelines, and reviewed every five years to address the evolving needs of academia and industry.
📥 Programme Documents & Downloads
The following documents are available for download, providing full details of the programme specification, course descriptions, and institutional requirements.
Progression Requirement
To advance from one year to the next, students must achieve a Sessional Grade Point Average (SGPA) of 3.0 or higher, with no outstanding course requirements.