Fall 2019 - HSCI 472 D100
Special Topics in Health Sciences II (3)
Class Number: 2636
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2019: Tue, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
Vancouver
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Instructor:
Anne-Marie Nicol
anicol@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
Will vary according to topic.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Selected topics in areas not currently offered within the undergraduate course offerings.
COURSE DETAILS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is about developing and practicing skills for evaluating, prioritizing, and quantifying environmental (community or workplace) risks to human health, particularly those exposures that are associated with cancer. The course also emphasizes developing skills to communicate risk information in challenging settings. There are a number of presentations and we will build knowledge translation and data visualization skills from the start. The class examines real world scenarios that are often encountered by professionals in environmental public health, such as risks due to radon gas, arsenic and lead in drinking water, fire smoke, traffic related air pollution, shift work, as well as other food and water-borne contaminants and occupational hazards. Populations are examined and particular attention is paid to determine risk estimates for vulnerable populations. Students will learn how to write a press release for an environmental health hazard and generate a media strategy for a specific risk.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end of the course, students who participate will be able to:
· Define human health risks and distinguish between hazard and risk
· Identify frameworks, legislation and policies used by different agencies and governments to undertake risk assessments (EPA, Health Canada)
· Identify the role of community and other stakeholders in the risk assessment process
· Develop a strategy for using evidence to prioritize hazards
· Conduct preliminary quantitative or qualitative screening level human health risk assessment
· Develop a risk communication strategy for communities that include writing a press release and a knowledge translation strategy
Oral communication skills are emphasized in the class and students will be asked to present materials to the class along and as a group.
Grading
- Scoping your risk assessment idea 10%
- Reading Journal (5 logs) 10%
- Risk Assessment Step Assignments (n=3) 45%
- Final Risk Assessment and presentation 25%
- Class participation 10%
NOTES:
The class is developed on an iterative process by which student review potential topics for risk assessment, prioritize and assess the suitability of the topic, join a group and conduct a risk assessment. There are 5 steps to the risk assessment, each one is assessed and students are given feedback that they incorporate for a final risk assessment. Students are expected to do in class presentations individually and as a group. Group work and participation are key aspects of the course and students are required to provide reflection about their group work.
REQUIREMENTS:
HSCI 802 or permission of the instructor.
Registrar Notes:
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS