Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2020 - HSCI 483 D100

Senior Seminar in Environmental Health (3)

Class Number: 7014

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2020: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    90 units, including HSCI 304 and HSCI 330.

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 is an innovative course intended as an introduction to toxicology for students interested in learning more about this field and its role in public health disciplines. No previous training or science background in the areas of toxicology, chemistry or microbiology is required. There is a focus on learning about toxicants in the world around us and how they impact human health. The course also has a knowledge translation component; the ability to gather, interpret and synthesize evidence and present the results in an engaging manner is a theme that runs through the entire course.


Topics include in the course:
•          The origins of toxicology as a practice and discipline
•          Overview of toxicants commonly encountered in public health
•          Sources and pathways of hazards in environments and workplaces
•          Basic physiology of systems involved in detoxification and biotransformation
•          Public health policies and practices aimed at controlling hazardous exposures
•          Frameworks for understanding exposure including tools such as Health Impact Assessment and Human Health Risk Assessment
•          Knowledge translations skills relevant for engaging the public health community
•          Techniques for communicating and critiquing risk information for the public

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Learning Objectives and Goals: upon completion students will be able to:
1         Describe the interesting history of toxicology and how it shapes our present day understanding of public health
2         Identify toxicants commonly encountered in public health
3         Explain the principles of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion
4         Locate Canadian specific regulations and policies that shape exposure to priority toxicants
5         Evaluate current science news coverage of public health issues
6         Describe strategies for knowledge translation on toxicological topics
7         Describe key public policies aimed at managing public health risks in Canada

Grading

  • Chemical inventory (group work) 25%
  • Media file projet and presentation (Individual) 15%
  • Single Toxicant project (Collaborative) 20%
  • Late Term Exam 25%
  • Participation 15%

NOTES:

The group and colloborative work requirements may vary depending on class size. A more detailed week by week outline will be provided in class.

REQUIREMENTS:

HSCI  majors with 90 units, including HSCI 304 and HSCI 330. Graduate Students require permission of the instructor. EXPECTATIONS / IMPORTANT NOTES: The instructor may make changes to the syllabus if necessary, within Faculty / University regulations.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

No required Textbook.

RECOMMENDED READING:

The course draws heavily from Casarett and Doull's Toxicology: the Basic Science of Poisons. See the SFU library for the most recent copy. Other resources used for the course include ToxNet, IRIS and the US EPA's Tox21 program. 

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