Educational Objectives
The educational objectives of this Certificate Program are:

1.) to provide students with an understanding of the principles that govern the relationship between biomedical researchers and laboratory animals; 2.) to demonstrate the application of transgenic, in-vitro, computational, non-mammalian and non-animal research in toxicology; and 3.) to illustrate the ways in which humane science and alternatives are used in setting regulatory standards and making environmental health policy decisions.

The Certificate Program will introduce, and explain the application of, the “3Rs,” (reduction, replacement and refinement), which are the guiding principles of humane science as well as demonstrate how the use of humane science principles in biomedical research can lead to more robust scientific methodology and knowledge. The Program course of study covers the scientific principles needed to appreciate humane science and identify and evaluate its implications in biomedical research and public health policy. Persons completing the certificate will be well equipped to translate new toxicological knowledge into scientifically credible product safety evaluations and hazard assessments and apply these concepts to environmental health decision making.

Intended Audience
The certificate program is open to persons who hold undergraduate or graduate degrees in public health or the biomedical sciences. It is also open to any student in a degree-granting program at the University, although it is anticipated that most enrollees will be students at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Persons who are members of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC) and/or involved in animal welfare issues are encouraged to participate in this certificate program.

Admissions Criteria
It is recommended that students planning to pursue the Certificate contact the Department as soon as possible. All students pursuing the Certificate must contact the Department no later than the first week of the term in which the final course is to be taken.

Non-Degree Students:
A student not enrolled in a degree program at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public health must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university. Any student may register and complete the certificate program as a Special Student Limited; however, such students may pursue courses in only one certificate in the School. Admission to the Department as a Special Student Regular or degree candidate is required for individuals wishing to enroll in coursework beyond that required by the Certificate Program.

Degree Students:
Degree-seeking students at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health:
Students in a masters or doctoral program at the school can enroll in the Certificate Program as part of their training.

Course of Study
The Certificate curriculum consists of the successful completion of six courses that provide essential public health knowledge and skills, as well as address critical issues in humane sciences, examine the 3Rs in biomedical research, enhance knowledge about experimental design and analysis, and study the translational and policy implications of humane sciences. These courses are:

180.601 Environmental Health (either .01 or .81*) (Term III or Summer Term - 5 units) OR
180.609 Principles of Environmental Health I (Term I - 4 units)
187.610 Public Health Toxicology (either .01 or .81*) (Term I or II - 4 units)
140.615 Statistics for Laboratory Scientists I (Term III - 4 units)
187.625 Animals in Research: Law, Policy and Humane Sciences (Term IV- 2 units)
187.650 Alternative Methods in Animal Testing (Term III - 3 units)
306.665 Research Ethics And Integrity: US and International Issues (Term III - 3 units)

*These courses are offered through both in-class and internet venues. Please note that the School requires all students to establish an eLearning account and to complete the free Introduction to Online Learning course prior to the start of the term in which the first internet course is taken (see http://distance.jhsph.edu/iol/).

Requirements for Successful Completion
1. All courses must be taken for academic credit to count toward the certificate. Only "Public Health Toxicology" OR "Statistics for Laboratory Scientists I" may be waived for students with prior graduate training in toxicology or biostatistics, respectively. (Only one may be waived.)
2. The student must receive a letter grade of C or better in all courses.
3. The student must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.25 in the certificate program to receive the certificate.

Faculty Sponsor
Paul Locke

410-502-2525

plocke@jhsph.edu

Faculty Co-Sponsor
Alan Goldberg

410-223-1692

agoldber@jhsph.edu

Administrative Contact
Nina Kulacki

410-955-2212

nkulacki@jhsph.edu