MPH5310 - Introduction to environmental health - 2017

This unit will cover the environmental influences on health. The unit will examine the impact of physical, chemical and biological hazards in the environment. It will integrate that knowledge with the principles of assessment, management and control of environmental health risks. Theoretical models of risk communication will be developed, with learners applying this knowledge in developing evidence based interventions to control and prevent simple environmental risks.

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Identify important chemical, physical and biological hazards in the environment and analyse related risks to health from environmental factors in Australia.
2. Communicate fluently in a written format using appropriate terminology to describe chemical, physical and biological hazards encountered in a variety of contexts.
3. Critically appraise the epidemiological literature which informs the evidence base for environmental health risk control strategies.
4. Identify common hazards, appropriate techniques for exposure measurement and risk assessment methodologies in environmental media such as water air and food.
5. Apply theoretical models of risk communication to appropriately communicate the principles of effective management of environmental health risks.
6. Develop evidence based interventions to control simple environmental risks and prevent harm, including strategies for standard setting and systematic management of key personal, social and economic factors, to inhibit, control or reduce potential for harm.

Weekly online tasks (30%)

Invigilated quiz via lockdown browser (1 hour) (25%)

Written assignment (2,700 words) (45%) (hurdle)

24 hours per week for 6 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

Dr Ewan MacFarlane

Public health

Must be enrolled in course 4529 or M6021