Summer 2021 - HSCI 483 D100
Senior Seminar in Environmental Health (3)
Class Number: 2333
Delivery Method: Remote
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
May 12 – May 28, 2021: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, 8:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Bruce Lanphear
bpl3@sfu.ca
1 360 684 2110
Office Hours: By appointment
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Prerequisites:
90 units, including HSCI 204 and HSCI 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 course, in a 13-day intensive format, is an in-depth overview of children’s environmental health. We will discuss environmental risks and human activity in relation to children’s environmental health in the context of disease prevention, surveillance and control. The course is intended to transition students from a superficial knowledge of environmental health to a more in-depth understanding of current topics and research in children's environmental health. Topics will be explored through a combination of seminars, readings and interpretation of the peer-reviewed literature, written assignments and in-depth discussions. We will examine various study designs, data collection methods, exposure measurement and analytic approaches used by environmental health researchers, and discuss the results, conclusions, and implications of recently completed and/or ongoing research studies. For the culminating project, students will write a 4-page proposal (one page will be an abstract) to study the impact of an environmental influence on children's health. Students will also submit a 5-minute video recording of an oral presentation of their project to be viewed by the class on the last day of the course.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
The educational goals of this course are to:
- Interpret and summarize peer-reviewed journal articles in environmental health
- Identify the advantages and disadvantages of various study designs used in environmental health
- Critically evaluate the scientific evidence provided by recent research studies
- Describe an existing public health problem linked with an environmental influence, explore various alternative actions and propose a solution
- Identify the main environmental influences that impact child health, including injuries, toxic chemicals and air pollution
- Be familiar with toxic chemicals, like lead, fluoride, air pollution and pesticides, that adversely impact children's health
Grading
- Attendance 10%
- Book Reflection 20%
- 5 minute presentation 20%
- 4-page proposal 50%
NOTES:
IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. This is an intensive format course that includes synchronous lectures and discussion, as well as some asynchronous lectures. We will meet every weekday from 8:30 am to 11:20 am. Wednesday, May 12th to Friday, May 28th. The final project will be due on Monday, May 31st.
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
The instructors will provide all reading materials and articles to the students except the book for their book reflection (see required reading below).
REQUIRED READING:
Students will read and write a one-page reflection on one of three books:
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
Our Stolen Future by Theo Colborn and others
Poisoned Profits by Philip and Alice Shebacoff
Given the short duration of the course, students should begin reading their book before the course begins. Instructions on the reflections will be given on the first day of the course.
Series of articles for each class will be provided by instructors. See schedule for readings assigned for each class. Readings should be completed before the day of the class.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
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
TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2021
Teaching at SFU in summer 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods, but we will continue to have in-person experiential activities for a selection of courses. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.
Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).