The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) appeal for greater focus on the vulnerable populations in disaster management and homeland security. Zika and Ebola highlighted the need to develop response capacities to include a public health response to emergency planning. Protection measures and public health interventions are needed for host communities, refugee populations, victims of human trafficking, and for those internally displaced following natural or man-made disasters. Where and when the next tsunami or earthquake will strike, predicting the future impacts of climate change, or knowing when the next terrorist group will attack is unknown. But the logic behind professionally mitigating and preparing for the next incident to occur, places us in a stronger position to plan for, respond to, and recover from complex emergencies.

The Community Engaged Homeland Security and Emergency Management Minor has both a strong research base and is designed to engage students in practical experiences in the community to understand real-world problems while developing useful tools and skills to be effective in the field. Students will explore a wide range of topics including developing early-warning systems, conducting community-based needs assessments, organizing humanitarian action with a focus on logistical support, developing exercises to evaluate policies and procedures, and identifying national and international trends affecting the outcomes of vulnerable populations affects by complex emergencies and natural or manmade disasters.

Career Opportunities

The carefully constructed curriculum facilitates greater job opportunities for those interested in being part of a team to deal with a crisis and be able to think critically and engage in effective action planning. Courses will help prepare students to work for a wide range of organizations. Some organizations that students have worked for include: 

• Governmental agencies (e.g., Office of Emergency Management, Department of Health, Law Enforcement, FEMA, Department of Homeland Security, US Fish and Wildlife Services, Military, EM for Higher Education Institutions)
• International multilateral organizations (e.g., UNICEF, Save Darfur, USAID, USPHS)
• Health care Agencies and Hospitals (e.g., James E. Hailey Veterans Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Tampa General Hospital, All Children’s Hospital) 
• For-profit organizations (e.g., TECO, Raymond James, Port Tampa)
• Not-for-profit organizations (e.g., WOKE Refugee Youth Program, GCJFS Refugee Resettlement)
• Humanitarian and international relief organizations (e.g., World Vision, Carter Center, Samaritans Purse, International Rescue Committee)

The goal of the Environmental Health Minor is to develop in a broad range of students an understanding and appreciation of the field of Environmental and Occupational Health. This program provides students with the broad range of courses necessary to pursue an advanced degree in the field of environmental and occupational health and safety or to seek employment in a related field. The Environmental Health Minor is preparatory for careers in environmental science, industrial hygiene, toxicology, risk assessment, and related health sciences. The minor provides an applied science specialization to complement basic sciences, life sciences, or health sciences major.

Upon completion of the Environmental and Occupational Health Minor coursework, a student will be able to: 

• Articulate the role of environmental and occupational health in injury and disease prevention, safety and risk assessment at the local, state, national, and global level. 
• Describe environmental and occupational health functions and concepts.
• Discuss and analyze current environmental and occupational health issues.
• Describe career paths in environmental and occupational health.
• Develop an understanding of environmental and occupational health that can serve as a foundation for the pursuit of graduate public health degrees.
• Develop an understanding of toxicology and its role in environmental and occupational injury and disease prevention, safety and risk assessment at the local, state, national, and global level.

Research & Career Opportunities

Undergraduate public health students are encouraged to participate in research ranging from laboratory studies to participatory community-based research with a focus on the culturally competent aspects of healthy community development including the social, economic, and educational components. This research provides entry-level student employment opportunities on a variety of specific public health projects while learning basic research skills including data collection, data entry, and technical report writing. Students are encouraged to ask their instructor about research openings. 

The carefully constructed curriculum facilitates greater job opportunities for those interested in Environmental and Occupational Health. Courses will help prepare students to work for a wide range of organizations.

Students will be prepared for employment with:

• Governmental agencies
• International multilateral organizations
• Health care Agencies and Hospitals
• For-profit organizations
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Humanitarian and international relief organizations 

Positions to consider include:

• Environmental Field Technician
• Field Ecologist
• Environmental Scientist
• Biological Scientist
• Environmental, Health and Safety Specialist
• Aquatic Specialist
• Quality Control Technician

Internships, with companies like Lonza and Catalent, can also extend your learning.

Now, more than ever, public health is important to our nation and our globe. As we continue to battle pandemics, such as COVID-19, chronic conditions, such as heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes, mental health challenges, such as substance abuse and suicide, and environmental degradation, public health professionals are prepared to protect human health and develop strategies to support a prepared and educated population. 

The goal of the Public Health Minor is to introduce students to the field of public health. Public health professionals seek to prevent disease and promote health and well-being among communities. This is important for human and environmental health. This minor provides students with a range of courses designed to understand important public health concepts such as epidemiology, health disparities, social determinants of health, and health policy. Students can tailor the minor by selecting a course that most interests them and prepares them for their future career aspirations. 

Career Opportunities

The carefully constructed curriculum facilitates greater job opportunities for those interested in Public Health. Courses will help prepare students to work for a wide range of employment opportunities with:

• Governmental agencies
• Health care Agencies and Hospitals
• For-profit organizations 
• Not-for-profit organizations 

Positions to consider include:

• Health Educator
• Contact Tracer
• Environmental Specialist
• Biostatistician

Global issues such as emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and healthcare-associated infections have emphasized the increasing importance of the field of infection control and prevention. The 2019/2020 SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) pandemic has underscored the need for infection control professionals to enter the field with a solid knowledge base and develop practical skills for immediate real-world applications.

The curriculum within the Infection Control minor is modeled after the national certification for the Associate – Infection Prevention and Control (a-IPC) exam administered by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC). This certification allows entry-level Infection Preventionists (IPs) to obtain national certification without prior work experience and is intended as a transition point to the full Certification in Infection Control (CIC).

In addition to preparing students for the a-IPC, the Infection Control minor is designed to expose students to a variety of infection control and prevention scenarios, challenges, and guidelines. During the program, students have the opportunity to develop a solid framework of knowledge regarding basic principles, theories, and approaches used in the practice of Infection Control and Prevention. The minor is intended for students who aim to become working IPs, but also aligns with various health science programs or students with related academic goals.

Students are encouraged to test for the a-IPC after fully completing all coursework required for the minor. Courses are offered throughout the academic year, with a variety of offerings of on-line, hybrid, and live, traditional classroom offerings. It is possible to complete the minor through all on-line offerings.

Career Opportunities

Individuals with the following academic/career goals will benefit from completion of the Infection Control minor:

• Healthcare facility or alternate care setting
• Local, state, or public health department
• Consultative, educational, and industry positions
• Governmental agency or academic/research institution;
• Graduate work, such as MPH in Infection Control or related field.

Nutrition science is both personally and professionally relevant, emphasizing health promotion, optimal human performance, disease prevention, quality of life, and longevity. Career opportunities that are complemented by a nutrition minor include public health, health sciences, athletic training, biomedical sciences, nursing, physical therapy, food technology, psychology, gerontology, social work, health promotion, and communication, with potential employment in the public and/or private sector.

Career Opportunities

The carefully constructed curriculum facilitates greater job opportunities for those interested in Nutrition. Courses will help prepare students to work for a wide range of organizations. Students will be prepared for employment with:

• Governmental agencies
• Health care Agencies and Hospitals
• For-profit organizations
• Not-for-profit organizations 

Positions to consider include:

• Nutrition Health Educator