Examine the emergence of air borne, food borne, vector borne and sexually transmitted infectious diseases, and what interventions reduce their prevalence. From basic principles of infection control to predicting the impact of emerging infections, this program will explore the environmental factors associated with infectious diseases.

Examine the leading causes of foodborne illness, their epidemiology, sources and routes of transmission and strategies for prevention and control across food systems. Learn how surveillance for foodborne illnesses is conducted and how results of surveillance and outbreak investigations are used to improve food safety.

Identify factors that cause diseases and injuries within the environment and workplace, in order to promote disease prevention. This area of study strives to understand the causal impact of the environment and occupations on human health. The study of environmental and occupational epidemiology requires knowledge of both disease and exposure. Learn more. (PDF)

Graduates will have the knowledge and skills needed to identify the causes of occupational related diseases, and how to improve the overall health of working populations. Learn more. (PDF)

Examine global health from a public health perspective, including analyzing issues around water and air quality, food safety, food security, industrialization and deforestation.

Intensive training for nurses interested in the development, management and evaluation of health services that promote health and prevent work-related injuries and disease. Learn more. (PDF)

The Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM) residency program is a partnership of the School of Public Health’s Division of Environmental Health Sciences and HealthPartners’ Institute for Education and Research. The residency is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). OEM integrates individual patient care with population health management. It encompasses the prevention and management of occupational and environmental illness and injury, with promotion of health and wellness for workers and their families and greater communities. OEM produces physicians who improve the health and safety of workers and who are future leaders in the field.

The toxicology area of emphasis teaches students to think analytically about the biochemical mechanisms of toxicity, how toxicology is used to protect human health through laboratory research, and the development of sound environmental policy and regulations.

Students with a strong science background who are interested in laboratory research or environmental regulation and policy are encouraged to enter this field. The curriculum emphasizes the application of basic sciences to toxicology and disease prediction and prevention. Learn more. (PDF)

Advantages of studying regulatory toxicology at UMN?

• Comprehensive curriculum: Courses range from traditional regulatory toxicology to cutting edge approaches to studying mechanisms of toxicity and their application in the development of biomarkers of exposure and disease, and in shaping new strategies for policy and regulation.
• Dynamic community: The Twin Cities is home to an unusually rich community of toxicologists who can provide professional mentorship, introductions to a wide variety of career options, and information about the changing needs for research in and applications of toxicology.
• Public health setting: Program emphasizes disease prevention with the integration of toxicology and epidemiology.