Objectives
The emerging public health issues in relation to environmental problems require advanced training and research in environmental health. The ambitious plan of the Ethiopian Government to increase the number of universities and skilled professionals in the country also requires training in PhD and post doc level. Jimma University being a pioneer in community based education (CBE) to solve societal problems while creating field laboratory for its students uses WASH as a major component of CBE. Hence, the PhD programme focuses on advanced research in water and sanitation, toxicology and risk assessment, medical entomology, occupational health and safety and waste management.
Entry requirement
Candidates who have successfully completed their MSc degree with distinction in the field of Environmental Health, Environmental Science, MPH, and others related fields recommended by the supervisory committee and doctoral school.
In the case of many applicants or when the candidate’s qualification and ability is questionable, the department will prepare an entrance exam for which he/she should score an acceptable “pass” mark. Those candidates having a questionable competence may not be admitted.
Duration of study: 4 years
Graduate profile
- identify, design and implement research projects independently or in leadership of research team in the field of Environmental Health;
- undertake research work and publish articles based on timely important Environmental Health problems of Ethiopia, Africa or elsewhere to influence policy and decision makers;
- can consult, advice and counsel the Government or the Private Sector on project and ethical issues in the Environmental Health discipline;
- can administer programs and protocols related to his/her particular field of specialization to a wide range of clients;
- can teach in Higher Learning Institutions;
- can positively influence society, and serve as an agent of change in patters related to Environmental Health Sciences such as toxicology and risk assessment, medical entomology and vector control, water and wastewater treatment, environmental pollution, etc.
Graduation Requirements
- Seminars and Progress Report: the candidate should satisfy the advisor and the advisory committee presentation of the seminar every year for the first three years and by submitting a progress report.
- Publication: a Ph.D. candidate should publish part of his/her Ph.D. thesis work at least one article and submitted another one in a peer reviewed journal having an impact factor of one or more.
- Doctoral Dissertation:
- The doctoral dissertation shall constitute individual effort in academic pursuits to identify and analyze problems by analyzing sound methodology;
- The doctoral dissertation should be approved by the Ph.D. examination committee (reading committee) which could be established by the advisor/promoter and the Graduate Program of the University. Member of reading committee will be those who have Ph.D. degree with associate professor rank and working in Higher Education Institutions or private sectors. This committee will have Chairperson and Secretary. After reading, the committee will decide to postponed the date of defense in case of major comments or approve the defense for the predetermined program.
- A doctoral dissertation shall constitute the fulfillment of the requirement to the Ph.D. Degree Program.
4. Ph.D. Dissertation Defense:The candidate shall successfully defend his/her Ph.D. thesis in public in the presence of the Examination Committee. The examination committee (internal and external examiners will decide the grade)
Degree Nomenclature
Ph.D. Degree in Environmental Health
“ፒኤች ዲበአካባቢጤናአጠባበቅ“
Common compulsory coursesthat should be taken in the first year
| Academic Year: 2020/2021 Year I Semester I | |||
| S. No | Course title | Course Code | ECTS |
| 1. 1. | Advanced research methods | Pubh768 | 3 |
| 2. 2. | Philosophy of science | Pubh761 | 3 |
| 3. 3. | Systematic Review and Meta-analysis/synthesis | Pubh801 | 3 |
| 4. 4. | Advanced Biostatistics | Pubh810 | 3 |
| 5. 5. | Scientific writing and communication | Pubh804 | 1.5 |
| Total | 13.5 |
List of mandatory professionalcourses that should be taken in the first year
- Environmental microbiology
- Advanced Medical entomology
- Advanced biostatistics
- Health informatics (with options of GIS and remote sensing or Environmental epidemiology)
Optional courses
- principles of environmental health,
- Environmental pollution and control,
- advanced water and waste treatment,
- toxicology and risk assessment,
- EIA,
- Solid waste management