Course Description
Advanced concepts in epidemiology with a focus on environmental and occupational epidemiology. Areas of emphasis will include exposure assessment, observational and experimental study designs, data interpretation, major environmental exposure groups (e.g., air, water, pesticides, metals, noise, others), case studies, and real-world practical applications.
Athena Title
ENV OCC EPI
Prerequisite
EHSC 4070/6070 or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This course is intended for graduate students at any level with an interest in occupational and environmental epidemiology. As part of the course, students should be able to: - Identify topical areas of interest within the context of the class - Search for relevant peer reviewed research - Synthesize, summarize and present relevant research related to topical areas - Critically evaluate peer reviewed literature - Participate in open discussion about research topics.
Topical Outline
• Environmental epidemiology: overview • Occupational epidemiology: overview • Validity issues: roles of bias, confounding and effect modification • Exposure assessment: environmental monitoring, biological monitoring, questionnaires • Pediatric environmental health • Reproductive health • Air pollution and related health effects • Smoking and second hand smoke and related health effects • Water pollution and related health effects • Pesticides and related health effects • Heavy metals and mining and related health effects • Developing world applications • Cancer cluster investigations • Gene-environment interactions • Global warming applications • Disaster response applications • Application of skills of environmental and occupational epidemiology to a local problem • Risk communication • Policy implications