Environmental Hlth Sci (ENHS)
Introduction to emergency preparedness and response in relation to environmental and public health. Historical context for the emergence of public health emergency preparedness and demonstration of articulation with community response partner agencies in the post-9/11 era.
Emerging issues and topics concerning environmental health. May be repeated as content varies by title up to a total of 9 credit hours.
Advanced study of infectious diseases caused by fungi. Etiology, symptoms, and treatment of fungi related illnesses.
Cross-listed course: BIOL 625
Environmental health sciences presenting the earth as a complex system in which people, plants, animals, and non-living physical-chemical components interact.
Analysis, planning, and implementation of programs to protect workers’ health in industry; legislative and regulatory background.
"State of the art" molecular techniques that elucidate mechanisms of environmental contaminants in model systems.
Effect of bacterial biofilm process on many diverse areas. Recognition, prevention, and control of biofilm-related problems in the environment, health care, industry, and engineering.
Trace metal(loid)s, their fate and transport in the environment and their potential impacts on human health.
Overview of environmental pollutants and their impact on human health; case studies of environmental catastrophes; principles of ecotoxicology; air, water, and land pollution associated with neurotoxicity, toxicology, and carcinogenesis.
A receptor-oriented approach for assessing human exposure to environmental contaminants by inhalation, dermal and ingestion routes. Covers methods for estimating exposures to protect health and well-being, to relate adverse effects to exposures, and to comply with regulations and guidelines.
Ecological theories as the basis for environmental change and the (re)emergence of infectious agents that ultimately impact human and ecosystem health.
Introduction to ergonomics: hazards identification and analysis; solution design and implementation; human musculoskeletal characteristics, injuries; effects of work on performance, safety, and health. Application to manufacturing and office environments.
Fundamental principles of environmental nanoscience: unique properties of nanomaterials, syntheses and characterization of nanomaterials, and key processes determining their environmental fate and behavior of nanomaterials.
Explores the intersection between conservation and environmental health with a particular focus on coastal and marine case studies.
Cross-listed course: MSCI 755
Chemical and physical aspects of air pollution and their regulatory problems. An examination of air pollution sources; physical and chemical processes affecting pollutants after emission; pollutants and their effects and the ultimate fate of pollutants. Attention is also given to the legal, administrative, and technical aspects of air pollution control.
Lethal and sublethal effects of environmental stressors on organisms living in the water column and in sediments of aquatic systems. Practical techniques of aquatic toxicology, risk assessment and modeling.
Industrial hygiene, including health effects, occupational health standards, and the evaluation and control of occupational health hazards.
Emphasizes the medical aspects of exposure to hazardous materials, accidents, and mental and physical stresses on the job. Clinical spectrum of occupational illness with some emphasis on industrial toxicology.
Fate, transformation, and behavior of pollutants in the atmosphere. Exposure and human health impacts of atmospheric particles.
Current and prospective research associated with the multi-disciplinary areas of environmental health sciences. Critical evaluation of scientific research, and technical writing and oral presentations.
The quantitative application of principles of basic physical, biological, and geochemical principles in assessing and solving environmental problems in lakes, streams, and wetlands. Emphasis on watershed-water quality interactions, trophic state analyses, wasteload impact prediction, toxic chemical fate and transport, wetland values, and classification.
Sampling and analysis of the interacting parameters used in assessing water quality and the functioning of aquatic systems.
Concepts in systems ecology and ecological modeling. Emphasis on the use of models and computer simulations in examining environmental interactions, predicting environmental impact, and facilitating the process of environmental planning. Lab practice in model development and computer simulation analysis.
Control of chemical and physical hazards in the occupational environment. Course covers principles and design of health protection systems such as ventilation systems, collection mechanisms, control of physical factors (excluding radioactivity).
Microbial processes which alter the fate, bioavailability, and toxicity of environmental pollutants: biotransformations of metals and organic pollutants; resistance mechanisms and roles of microbial biofilms in toxin transfer.
Environmental Health Sciences Seminar is a one credit course that provides the opportunity for graduate students within the department and other related departments/programs to enhance and broaden their knowledge in environmental health by exploring current research and case studies.
Focuses on history, theory, and practice of predicting, managing, and communicating potential human health and environmental risks of hazardous chemicals. Reviews fundamental components and explores uncertainties, probabilistic approaches, and ‘real-world’ challenges of risk analysis.
Physics of radiation and associated health hazards; hazard evaluation and measurements; radiation content and protection of the individual. Course covers ionizing radiation, ultraviolet, microwave, lasers, R.F. field, and ultra-sound.
A study of biological interactions and transformation of environmental toxicants at the cellular and subcellular levels, and assessment of cellular damage as it relates to health hazards and risks. Topics to include: environmental toxicants; exposure measurements; factors affecting interactions and toxicity; metabolism of xenobiotics: types and levels of effects and interactions; and human health risks.
Review of ecological principles as applied to environmental impact assessment. Study of the mandates of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Analysis of several impact assessment methodologies.
Introduction to environmental planning. Survey of major federal environmental legislation. Review of processes and techniques of environmental planning including zoning, permits, management plans, assessments, and evaluation methods. Case studies of significant environmental projects.
Sources, sinks, transport, and transformation of air pollutants. Health effects that occur directly or by intermediate transport. Current monitoring methods and modeling techniques for air pollution.
Lecture and laboratory investigations concerning sublethal and lethal physiological responses of aquatic organisms to a variety of environmental pollutants. Stresses the in-depth understanding of the effects of: bacterial and thermal pollution, pesticides/herbicides, industrial chemicals, hazardous materials, and petroleum hydrocarbons on different physiological mechanisms.
A critical review of recent advances and case histories in the formulation and use of ecological/ environmental models. Ecosystems analysis and environmental planning.
Literature reviews and applications in evaluation of hazards and design of ergonomic interventions including human factors in information processing, design of displays and controls, vibration, macroergonomics, fatigue, and shiftwork.
Physical and chemical principles of environmental qualitative and quantitative analysis with emphasis on atmospheric, aquatic, and terrestrial samples. Includes use and limitations of instrumental techniques, sampling strategies, data management and reduction, and quality assurance programs.
Chemical and physical principles of multimedia contaminant transport, environmental effects of hazardous materials, statutes and regulations classification, treatment and disposal of hazardous materials.
Chemical and physical properties of hazardous materials; use and storage; disposal options; transportation requirements; site safety considerations; management systems involving hazardous materials.
Content varies by title. Course may be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours.
The course is intended to develop theoretical and practical knowledge in environmental science research. The learning formats will permit focus on areas of interest as a means to develop the research skills for later projects. Guided by focus, students may work in the laboratory, field, and/or use existing data.
Problems associated with coastal population growth and development. Emphasis is on the working group approach to ameliorating impacts on ecosystem and human health.
Cross-listed course: MSCI 795
Laboratory based course aimed at developing theoretical and practical knowledge in regards to nanoscience in toxicology and in the environment. Students will perform nanoparticle syntheses, characterization, fate and behavior studies or toxicology exposures. Learning formats will permit focus on areas of interest aimed at developing research skills.
Global environmental health with a focus on food security in developing nations, including crop responses to warming, soil changes, more variable precipitation inputs and expanding geographical range of pests.
Performance of a limited work or service project in a public need setting, pursuit of planned learning objectives related to previously identified aspects of the student’s chosen role. Self-monitoring and regular seminars focusing on learning accomplishments.
Technical coverage relevant to a practical evaluation of radiation sources and contaminants in the environment.
Physical and chemical principles applied to the behavior and properties of particles suspended in air. Course covers motion under applied forces, electrical properties, diffusion, removal from gas, cloud dynamics, and optical properties.
Detailed analyses of techniques, especially computer simulation modeling, used in environmental assessment and planning. Emphasis will be on the prediction of the ecological effects of development projects. Students will collectively construct a simulation model for the purpose of environmental assessment.
Overview of skills and standards, including ethics and research preparation, for Environmental Health Sciences doctoral students.
Prerequisite: one full year (18 hrs) of graduate study beyond the master’s level.