Environmental Science, Safety and Health Associate Degree
Health & Safety Training for Hazardous Waste Operations Certificate
Water/Wastewater Technology Certificate
Occupational Health and Safety Certificate
Sustainable Building Certificate
 

Environmental, Science, Safety, and Health Technicians work in a wide variety of entry-level positions for environmental engineering consulting firms, environmental laboratories, wastewater and water treatment facilities, lead and asbestos abatement contractors, manufacturing facilities, governmental agencies, and other organizations requiring individuals to work in environmentally or safety related positions. The demand for technicians capable of performing tasks such as sample collection, monitoring, data management, and instrumentation calibration, operation, and maintenance continues to increase. According to recent surveys and job placement rates, the job market for environmental technicians in central Ohio is very strong.

Columbus State’s Associate Degree program in Environmental Science, Safety and Health has a diverse curriculum, which includes many basic science courses, as well as courses offered by other engineering technologies. This curriculum provides students with a strong foundation of technical skills necessary for careers in the environmental industry. A summer quarter internship program also offers students hands-on experience in a real work setting.

In additional to providing environmental technicians with entry-level training, the degree provides opportunities for individuals seeking career changes, continuing education, and skills enhancement.

The Water/Wastewater Technology Certificate is designed to serve the educational needs of employees that work in water and/or wastewater treatment, such as those who work for municipalities or industry. This certificate will also provide a strong educational foundation for those students who have an interest in entering an occupation in water or wastewater treatment. Individuals who complete the coursework in this program will be much better prepared to take the state water or wastewater treatment operator’s exams. Most courses in this certificate will also apply towards the Associate of Applied Science Degree in either Environmental Science, Safety and Health or Civil Engineering Technology.

The Occupational Health and Safety Certificate is designed to provide basic supervisory and regulatory skills to those who have, or may wish to have, a job responsible for the health and safety of the employees in the workplace.

Sustainable Building Certificate is designed to provide information on sustainable buildings to students of the Construction Sciences Department and to provide training opportunity for current professionals such as architects, building managers, construction managers, and others.

For additional information on the Health and Safety Training for Hazardous Waste Operations Certificate, or other OSHA training opportunities, see the Environmental Science, Safety and Health Advisor.

Upon completion of the Associate Degree in Environmental Science, Safety and Health, the graduate will be able to:

• Collect air, water, waste, and soil samples for routine monitoring as required by regulatory agencies and for operational control of remediation or treatment systems.

• Conduct field investigations using environmental instrumentation.

• Assist in the operation and maintenance of systems used to control pollution, remediate contaminated materials, or treat water as required by environmental laws.

• Perform duties related to the management, treatment, storage, disposal, and emergency response to spills of hazardous materials and toxic substances in accordance with EPA, OSHA and DOT.

• Collect and compile data necessary for an environmental site assessment.

• Utilize basic concepts of geology, hydrology, chemistry, and biology in the investigation of the occurrence, transport, and remediation of environmental contaminants.

• Demonstrate a knowledge of solid and hazardous waste management practices, including being able to evaluate hazardous waste data to provide information for compliance with environmental standards.

• Apply basic risk assessment and toxic substances exposure analysis techniques.

• Understand duties requiring knowledge of OSHA regulations in the workplace, including hygiene applications.