Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - HSCI 483 D100

Senior Seminar in Environmental Health (3)

Class Number: 2116

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    90 units, including HSCI 204 and HSCI 230 (or 330), with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An in-depth overview of environmental health, environmental risks and human activity in relation to environmental health in the context of disease prevention, surveillance and control.

COURSE DETAILS:

This senior seminar offers an in-depth exploration of a variety of contemporary environmental health challenges, emphasizing the complex and dynamic interconnectedness between the environment and human health. Students will engage with local and global case studies, along with environmental health data and exploratory tools, to deepen their understanding of environmental factors and their implications for individual and community health and well-being.

Course content will be explored through active participation in in-class activities, lectures, readings, and individual and group assignments. Students will gain experience presenting and facilitating discussions on complex environmental health issues and build competencies in critically analyzing, interpretating, synthesizing, and communicating peer-reviewed evidence.

For the final project, students will work collaboratively in small groups to explore a specific environmental health issue and propose an evidence-based intervention. 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

At the end of the course, students will be able to: 

  • Describe a variety of environmental factors and the direct and indirect ways they can affect the health and well-being of individuals and communities
  • Discuss how the health risk posed by environmental factors can vary over time, across geographic regions, and by individual and community-level characteristics
  • Explain different approaches that can be used to assess and address potential environmental health hazards in the context of population and public health
  • Connect contemporary environmental health challenges with various solutions and critically evaluate the effectiveness of interventions based on available evidence

Grading

  • Participation (Individual) 20%
  • Infographic (Individual) 20%
  • In-class facilitation exercise (Small Group) 20%
  • Final project: 3-page briefing note (Small Group) 20%
  • Final project: Presentation (Small Group) 20%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

There is no required textbook for this course. Readings (provided by the instructor) will be assigned weekly.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.