Course Description
Oceans and the marine environment are increasingly recognized for their role in the health of the human population, both as a source of disease and source of new bioactive (medicinal) agents. Exploration of this emerging field with a combination of lecture, student-driven seminars, and critical discussions of primary literature.
Athena Title
OCEAN HUMAN HEALTH
Prerequisite
MARS(MIBO) 4620/6620-4620L/6620L or EHSC(FDST)(MIBO) 4310/6310-4310L/6310L or MARS 8010 or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This course is intended for graduate students with a background in microbiology, marine science and/or environmental health. As part of the course, students should be able to: • Identify topical areas of research within the context of oceans and human health • Synthesize, summarize and present relevant research related to topical areas • Critically evaluate peer reviewed literature • Participate in open discussion about research topics • Critically discuss public health implications and/or policies of relevant ocean science issues.
Topical Outline
• Oceans and Human Health Overview • Harmful algal blooms • Toxic algae and seafood-associated disease • Bioactive and medicinal compounds from the sea • Impact and epidemiology of sewage-associated pathogens in coastal waters • Ecology and epidemiology of human pathogens native to marine waters • Sources of and routes of exposure to anthropogenic toxic (chemical) contaminants • Climate variability and human disease • Tsunamis, hurricanes and human health • Human threats to marine ecosystems • Human effects from loss of marine ecosystem services