Environmental Studies: Geohealth

Exploration of the relationships between human health and geologic processes and materials, highlighting interfaces between the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. Examination of links between geologic processes and potential health hazards to which humans are exposed by air, food, water, or soil. Application of foundations of geologic and geochemical knowledge that affect health outcomes to understand impacts of natural and anthropogenic processes on public health and issues related to testing and regulation. Prerequisites: A Catamount Core N1 or N2 course, ENVS 1500, HSCI 1100, or HSOC 1700. Cross-listed with: GEOL 2410.

Crosslisted with GEOL 2410, total combined enrollment: 40 PACE students with permission and override; A Catamount Core N1 or N2 course, Prereqs enforced by the system: ENVS 1500, HSCI 1100, or HSOC 1700.

Course description: Geohealth explores the relationships between human health and geologic processes and materials, highlighting interfaces between the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. Together, we will examine the links between geologic processes and a variety of potential health hazards to which humans are exposed by air, food, water, or soil. Foundations of geologic and geochemical knowledge will be applied to think critically about factors that affect health outcomes, such as (bio)durability and (bio)reactivity of earth materials. We will explore impacts of natural and anthropogenic processes on public health, including issues related to testing and regulation. Course learning objectives: -After successfully completing this course, you will be able to describe geologic processes and environmental factors associated with a variety of potential health hazards to which humans are exposed by air, food, water, or soil. -You will be able to relate foundational scientific principles to and think more critically about factors that pertain to distribution, toxicity, dose, exposure and uptake, bioavailability, and biopersistence. Readings will be provided as links or pdf files via Brightspace.

This class is an in-person class; attendance and participation at lectures is expected.

Final grades in this course will be based on: -Attendance and participation (20%): Attendance, and active participation in lecture are expected. -Homework, class and group assignments (60%): Weekly homework assignments consist of readings and questions (“quizzes” in Brightspace) related to content covered in both readings and lectures. The latter part of the semester will focus on group work and research. -Final project (20%): There are no exams in this course. There is a research project with written and oral presentation components in lieu of a final exam.