EHS500: Principles of Environmental Health Sciences
Graduate level
Both Executive Masters and Residential
Fall term(s) for Executive Masters and residential students;
3 credit hour(s) for Executive Masters and residential students;
Instructor(s):
Not offered 2024-2025
Prerequisites: None
Undergraduates are allowed to enroll in this course.
Description: This course provides a broad overview of some of the most important and current challenges to human health from environmental and occupational risk factors while teaching the basic knowledge and multi-disciplinary skills used to assess, control, and prevent them. We will address specific threats, such as outdoor and indoor air pollution, toxic metals, pesticides, radiation and occupational stressors; analyze impacts on specific diseases and injuries, such as cardiovascular disease, asthma, cancer, musculoskeletal injuries and impaired child development;; and introduce emerging threats, such as the hormone-mimicing potential of plastic chemicals and the impact of global climate change on heat-related mortality and shifting patterns of infectious disease. Emphasis will also be given to understanding the worsening environmental health impacts of industrialization on developing countries, the effects of globalization, such as the growing movement of hazardous industries, products, and wastes across borders. and the rise of the environmental justice movement. The course fulfills the MPH core competency in environmental health and is also open to students in LSA and other UM graduate schools. A basic understanding (high school level) of human biology and chemistry is recommended.
