There is a general understanding that many medical conditions are caused by factors present in the natural or artificial environment. Environmental health programs intend to prepare students to investigate these correlations and provide insights based on these systematic investigations.

Many programs in Africa take place in a very unusual cultural and physical environment than most students are familiar with in the good old days. Come To Know to adapt to this living conditions is part of fun and the challenge of living there. The challenge is intellectual, emotional and physical.

Requirements for the PhD program often involve the student having already obtained a Master’s degree. Additionally, a thesis or dissertation primarily consisting of original academic research must be submitted. In some countries, this work may even need to be defended in front of a panel.