FACULTY & STUDENT RESOURCES
Environmental Courses
Harvard School of Public Health
Harvard School of Public Health Course Catalog
BIO504 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems Using ArcGIS
C. Paciorek Winter TBA
This course introduces Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and their applications. GIS is a combination of software and hardware with capabilities for manipulating, analyzing and displaying spatially referenced information. Emphasis on learning practical skills using ArcGIS software.
EH201 Introduction to Environmental Health
R. Goldman Fall M, W 10:30-12:20
This course offers a general introduction to environmental health from local to global, addressing fundamental topics and current controversies. The first half of the course covers core topics that prepare students to more fully understand and address environmental health issues: toxicology, exposure assessment, risk assessment/risk management, air pollution, water pollution, and the built environment/urban sprawl. Using the tools from the first half, students then learn about: occupational health, children's health and the environment, injuries, climate change and health, environmental law and policies, debates concerning pesticide use, and environmental justice. Students can actively engage with the course material through in-class, and on-line case discussions, debates, and review of environment-related current events. This course provides an excellent introductory foundation in environmental health for all professional master's degree candidates, whether or not specializing in environmental health.
EH201 Introduction to Environmental Health
R. Goldman, M. Kile Summer Th, F 1:30-3:20
Refer to course description for EH201 Fall2.
EH202 Principles of Environmental Health
D. Dockery, M. Kile Spring TBA
This course focuses on analytic methods for assessing environmental exposures and hazards. This course is directed at first year Environmental Health graduate students and MPH students with some knowledge of environmental health or who have taken EH201. It is designed for students desiring more emphasis on quantitative approaches, and can be used as a sequel to EH201 or as a substitute for EH201 for those with sufficient background. Students will learn methods for quantitative evaluation and public health responses to environmental hazards through lectures, problem solving, and case studies. The course is structured around specific tools including exposure assessment, epidemiology, toxicology and pathophysiology, risk assessment, life cycle analysis, and environmental policy.
EH232 Introduction to Occupational and Environmental Medicine
S. Kales, D. Christiani Spring F 10:30-12:20
Overview of Occupational and Environmental Medicine including: the diagnosis and management of illnesses following exposure to specific workplace substances, environmental and community hazards, such as asbestos, lead, organic solvents, and vibration; methods of diagnosis of early organ system effects of chemicals and techniques for assessing impairment and disability; as well as, medicolegal aspects of occupational health. Course Activities: mid-term exam and final exam. Course Prerequisites: This is a clinical and preventive medicine course. The material is taught at a post-graduate level, and a medical or allied health background is required. The majority of students will be physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and students in those fields. Persons without prior biomedical training may NOT take the class for an ordinal grade. Such students are welcome to audit the class. In certain exceptions, if discussed with the instructors, such students may be granted permission by the instructors to take the course on a pass/fail basis. Course Note: Basic course in toxicology recommended; instructor’s signature required if student has not completed prerequisite.
EH236 Epidemiology of Environmental & Occupa tional Health Regulations
G. Wagner, D. Wegman, K. Applebaum Fall F 9:30-12:20
Prerequisite: BIO200, BIO201 or BIO202, and EPI200 or EPI201, and EH201 or EH202 required.
Provides students with the opportunity to review the scientific basis for the association of selected occupational and environmental exposures and disease. Special emphasis is placed on the evaluation of the epidemiologic literature, cancer, and respiratory disease. Attention is directed to the interface of science and regulatory policy and the role of risk analysis in setting health standards. Course Activities: Discussions based on the process leading to setting of standards. Formerly EH235.
EH250 Protecting Workers & Communities from Hazardous Substances
S. Rudnick, K. Martin, R. Spielvogel Spring W 3:30-5:20
This course covers the recognition, evaluation, and control of worker and
community exposure to hazardous substances. Particular emphasis is placed
on remediation of hazardous waste sites, emergency response activities and
related operations. Forty-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency
Response certification may be awarded depending upon student’s curriculum.
Course offered alternate years.
EH257 Water Pollution
J. Shine Spring T, Th 8:30-10:20
This course is designed to teach an understanding of the basic principles of water pollution and water pollution issues on local, regional and global scales. The course will begin with a discussion of the basic chemical, physical and biological properties of water and water contaminants. Subsequent lectures will cover specific chemical and biological contaminants in ground, surface, and marine waters; sources, fate, transport, and transformation of contaminants; monitoring techniques, water source protection and resource management; water and wastewater treatment; transmission of waterborne disease; toxicological concerns of chemicals in water, including disinfection byproducts; and interactions with the air and land environments. Invited lecturers will cover issues such as harmful algal blooms, groundwater modeling, coastal zone management, and regulatory approaches for aquatic ecosystem protection.
EH262 Introduction to the Work Environment
R. Herrick, J. Stewart Fall M 1:30-3:30
The course comprises introductory lectures and discussions on key aspects of industrial hygiene and occupational health covering recognition, evaluation and control of health hazards at work. Consideration is given to chemical, physical and biological hazards, and the criteria for the evaluation of each. Course Activities: Written projects, class discussions, demonstrations. Course Note: While intended primarily for students planning a career in occupational health, this course provides background to the subject for students studying environmental issues and is strongly recommended for students intending to take ID 263.
*EH267 Industrial Hygiene/Ergonomics Internship & Environmental Sciences Research Seminar
R. Herrick, J. Dennerlein, P. Koutrakis Spring M 1:30-3:20
Material for this course is required for Industrial Hygiene and Ergonomics concentrators doing the Internship Program and for Exposure, Epidemiology and Risk Program students doing research. The objective of the course is to refine communication skills. Students are required to prepare their own report, peer-review others and present the results. Course Activities: Students present seminars on their recent internship or research projects. Course Note: Instructor’s signature required.
EH269 Exposure Assessment for Environmental & Occupational Epidemiology
T. Smith, D. Dockery Spring M 1:30-3:20
Reviews the methods used to characterize environmental and occupational exposures. Presents approaches for biologically based exposure assessment matched to epidemiologic designs. Emphasizes evaluation of scientific literature. Course Activities: Students will critique 4 case study papers. Instructors will provide feedback. Course Note: Course recommended for doctoral and post-doctoral students in epidemiology, environmental science and engineering, and environmental biostatistics. Strongly recommend EH 215 be taken concurrently or previously.
*EH279 Radiation Environment: Its Identification, Evaluation & Control
E. Maher Fall M 10:30-12:20
Starting with the fundamentals of radiation protection, this course then treats in-depth selected topics in occupational and environmental radiation protection (e.g. risk assessment of exposures to diagnostic and therapeutic x rays; use of lung and metabolic models in evaluation of the hazard from inhalation and ingestion of radioactive chemicals; hazard from indoor radon; radiological assessments regarding nuclear power, war, and radiological terrorism; hazards from microwaves, cellular phones and other sources of non-ionizing radiation; case studies of radiation accidents; management of university and hospital radiation programs). The course has been developed with the needs of students enrolled in environmental science and engineering, occupational health and the MPH program in mind. Course Activities: Class discussions, homework assignments. Students will prepare a term position paper and oral presentation defending their stand on a controversial subject of their choice in a form suitable for consideration by management. Course Note: signature of instructor required.
EH285 Industrial Ecology and Life Cycle Assessment
G. Norris, J. Spengler Fall M 3:30-6:00
Policy-makers, communities, civil society, academics and business leaders
around the world are increasingly concerned about the environmental
and social impacts of production and consumption. Part of the response
is the increasing use by industry and governments of Life Cycle Analysis
(LCA), a growing and diversifying set of methods for systems analysis of
environmental, economic, and social impacts of products systems. This course
will enable participants to develop a hands-on, in-depth understanding of
the frameworks, principles, tools, and applications of life cycle assessment.
The course is designed to enable participants to become capable and selfreflective practitioners of LCA. We will look at emerging US and global
trends in life cycle methods and application, as this field is increasingly
called upon, since the Johannesburg 2002 World Summit on Sustainable
Development, to address the full spectrum of social, economic, and
environmental aspects of sustainability. Offered alternate years.
EH297 Atmospheric Environment Seminars
A. Eschenroeder, D. Dockery, S. Hanna, P. Koutrakis, H. Suh Spring W, F 10:30-12:20
The beginning of the course identifies the hazardous and criteria air pollutants in terms of their potentials for adverse health impacts. Regulatory efforts to protect environmental health are examined. Next, the sources and controls are described in terms of the responses of the technology world to these regulatory requirements. Atmospheric phenomena affecting human exposure are covered. In place of mid-term and final examinations, each student will prepare and present two seminars based on individual investigation and analysis of the literature. One will address a topic in air quality, and the other, will analyze a journal article along with all of its implications. Both written and oral presentations will be required.
EH504 Principles of Toxicology
R. Wright, A. Wallace Hayes Fall T, Th 1:30-3:20
Prerequisite: Organic chemistry and mammalian physiology or equivalents.
The course is designed to expose students to the principles and methods that
should be used to determine whether a causal relationship exists between
specific doses of an agent and an alleged adverse effect, observed primarily
in humans. Integration of principles and methods of toxicology is extremely
important since the primary purpose of toxicology is to predict human
toxicity. Toxicological data obtained in animal studies must be placed in
proper relationship to the exposure observed in the human population.
The course deals with organ systems and whole organisms but relies on an
understanding of the mechanistic approaches covered in EH508. Key target
organs, selected classes of toxic agents and the application of toxicological
principles are covered. Instructor’s signature required if student has not met
prerequisites; required lab.
*EH507 Environmental Exposure, Epidemiology and Risk Practicum
J. Levy, R. Herrick, F. Laden Fall F 9:30-12:20
The practicum is designed to allow Exposure, Epidemiology, and Risk (EER) Program students to integrate what they have learned and to apply this knowledge in the evaluation of a problem of importance. Each student must design and conduct an independent analysis of an environmental problem. Student projects must demonstrate analytical sophistication and critical interpretation of relevant science in support of decision-making. Each student must prepare a written report and make an oral presentation of results to the EER faculty. Course note: The practicum is restricted to students in the EER masters and doctoral program; instructor's signature required.
EH510 Fundamentals of Human Environmental Exposure Assessment
J. Evans Fall Th 1:30-3:20
Prerequisite: Calculus and chemistry required.
Lecture and computer workshops. One 2-hour session each week.
This course is designed to provide the tools and foundations necessary to understand the fate and transport of environmental contaminants in various environmental media and to estimate their impact on human exposure. The course will consider human exposure assessment in the context of risk assessment. Physical-chemical properties of contaminants and environmental media will be considered as they relate to developing basic models of human exposure. Course Note: Course required for all EER Program students.
EH516 Environmental Genetics
P. Zalloua Winter TBA (Course will be held at the Cyprus International Institute in Cyprus)
The interaction between genes and environmental and/or occupational
exposures plays a major role in disease development. This course will focus on
the underlying science of gene-exposure interactions and will use examples
of such interactions and their medical consequences. Gene-environment
interactions will be discussed through a disease-based approach to address
the question of how genetic polymorphisms can influence susceptibility to
various diseases. The course will consist of detailed evaluation of specific
examples of gene-exposure interaction and the underlying science of such
examples, their medical consequences as well as their social implications.
HSPH degree candidates only.
EH517 Ecotoxicology
P. Koutrakis Winter TBA (Course will be held at the Cyprus International Institute in Cyprus)
This course will enable students to understand the major underlying
principles in ecotoxicology, predict the fate and behavior of major groups of
environmental pollutants, describe dose-response relationships, eco-toxicity
testing methods and toxic effects of pollutants in wildlife, and appraise the
suitability of biomarkers and sentinel species for bio-monitoring pollutants.
Furthermore, students will become able to critically analyze the strengths
and weaknesses of ecological risk assessment, and they will have a chance to
complete a basic ecological risk assessment. HSPH degree candidates only.
GHP253 Human Ecology
R. Levins Fall T, Th 8:30-10:20
Provides a broad overview of the human ecosystem as it emerges out of, but as different from, pre-human ecology. Topics are selected from biosphere processes, population interaction, agricultural systems, adaptation evolution and ecology of disease, ecological politics, and evolution. Also considers the role of knowledge and conscious planning as an aspect of human ecology and examines the approaches toward the solution of ecological problems. Course Note: Basic knowledge of biology required.
GHP272 Foundations of Global Population and Health
D. Bloom, J. Lamstein Fall M, W, F 10:30-12:20
This course is intended as a broad survey of the main facts, issues,
perspectives, methods, results, and conclusions in the areas of global
population and health. The course is organized into three blocks. The first
block deals with theory, methods, and evidence related to the state of
global health and population and reviews salient population and health
issues, both past and present. Environmental concerns linked to health and
population are also addressed. The second block deals with the economic,
social, legal, political, and ecological context in which global health and
population issues arise and must be addressed. This block introduces
economic, political, and rights-based perspectives on the place of health in
the process of international development. The third block covers approaches
to the design and implementation of policies and programs to address
health and population problems. Medical interventions, non-medical health
interventions, and non-health interventions will all be considered. Course is
required for all incoming master of science and doctoral students.
GHP513 Public Health Operations in Complex Emergencies and War
M. Van Rooyen, Spring Th 8:30-10:20
The last two decades have seen the growth in the humanitarian aid industry and the maturation of the field of international relief. With this growth has come the collective realization of the need for applying methods for data collection, evaluation and needs-based planning in humanitarian operations in the field. In complex field settings such as wars and disasters, the application of rapid epidemiologic methods requires both an understanding of applied field methods and a common-sense understanding of humanitarian operations. This seminar series will address practical approaches to field assessments, design of relief programs, barriers encountered in the field, and the use of field standards, such as Sphere standards. Students will be encouraged to participate in practical exercises and discussions related to case scenarios in conflict-related crises, and will learn the initial approaches to developing programs in large-scale complex emergencies.
GHP520 The Ecology of Health in Development
R. Levins Spring T, Th 8:30-10:20
This course is a sequel to Human Ecology, PIH 253-fall II. It will be run as a semi-seminar course with about 1/3 lecture, 2/3 student-led discussions and reports. There will be a common core of general readings and then students will read different selections to contribute to the discussion. Themes: The Eco-social Distress Syndrome, a multidimensional imbalance between our species and the rest of nature against the background of the conflicting demands for a rising and equitable standard of living for all and the constraints of sustainability. Each kind of society has its own pattern of relations with the rest of nature including resources, waste, microorganisms, pests, habitats, climate and demography and its own ways of generating knowledge giving rise to distinct patterns of knowledge and ignorance. Each habitat (natural or anthropogenic) provides human societies with its own constraints and opportunities and its own health spectrum. Different strategies of development have differential effects on all of these. In order to span a wide range of alternatives situations, the course will be organized around selected geographic areas (the Lake Victoria basin, Thailand or the Philippines, Central America and the Caribbean), habitats (tropical forests, semi-arid savannas, coastlines, cities), health problems (malnutrition, malaria, cholera, emerging viruses) and development strategies for resource use, agricultural development, national science strategy (neo-liberal, nationalist, socialist) with an emphasis on the less familiar approaches, and international efforts to reconcile development with ecology.
ID215 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology
R. Hauser, F. Laden Spring W 1:30-3:20
Prerequisite: EPI 200, EPI 201 or EPI 208 and BIO 200, BIO 201, BIO 205 required.
This course has three objectives: to review epidemiologic methods used in evaluating the health effects of physical and chemical agents in the environment, to review available evidence on the health effects of such exposures, and to consider policy questions raised by the scientific evidence. Topics include lectures on methodology, seminars on the review and criticism of current literature, and presentations by outside experts on specific environmental and occupational health issues of current interest.
ID215 Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology
F. Laden Summer M, T, W 3:30-5:20
Prerequisite: EPI200, EPI 201 or EPI208 and BIO200, BIO201 or BIO205
required (concurrent enrollment permitted).
This course examines application of epidemiologic methods to environmental
and occupational health problems. Objectives are to review methods used
in evaluating the health effects of physical and chemical agents in the
environment, to review available evidence on the health effects of such
exposures, and to consider policy questions raised by the scientific evidence.
Topics include lectures on methodology, seminars on the review and
criticism of current literature, and presentations by outside experts on specific
environmental and occupational health issues of current interest.
ID271 Advanced Regression for Environmental Epidemiology
J. Schwartz Spring T 1:30-3:20; Th 12:20-1:20 and 1:30-3:30
This course covers applied advanced regression analysis. Its focus is on relaxing classical assumptions in regression analysis to better match what epidemiological data really looks like. Specifically, the course will cover nonlinear exposure-response relationships and repeated measure designs, including non-parametric and semi-parametric smoothing techniques, generalized additive models, and time series models. In addition to the theoretical material, students will apply these techniques using R to actual datasets including modeling the effects of environmental exposures on health outcomes. These techniques also are widely applicable to problems in infectious disease, psychiatric, nutritional, occupational, and cancer epidemiology. Course Note: Basic biostatistics and a course in regression analysis recommended.
*IMI201 Ecology, Epidemiology, and Control of Impor Parasitic Diseases of Developing Areas
D. Wirth, M. Duraisingh Fall M, W, F 3:30-5:20
Provides an introduction to ecological and epidemiological concepts basic to the control of infectious agents. Considers important parasitic diseases of particular significance in the developing areas of the world. Epidemiological principles of vector-associated diseases are elucidated through study of entities such as malaria and schistosomiasis. Course Note: Background in biology required; knowledge of pathogenesis of infectious diseases desirable; signature of instructor required.
*RDS500 Risk Assessment
J. Levy Spring T, Th 10:30-12:20
Introduces the framework of risk assessment, considers its relationship with cost-benefit, decision analysis and other tools for improving environmental decisions. The scientific foundations for risk assessment (epidemiology, toxicology, and exposure assessment) are discussed. The mathematical sciences involved in developing models of dose-response, fate and transport, and the statistical aspects of parameter estimation and uncertainty analysis are introduced. Case studies are used to illustrate various issues in risk assessment and decision making. Course Activities: Lectures, discussions, case studies. Course Note: Course required for all Exposure, Epidemiology and Risk Program students; signature of instructor required.
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