Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences Courses
________________________________PH 2100 Foundations of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
Credits: 4
This course is designed as a core course in environmental and occupational health sciences for all students majoring in the EOHS Division. This one-semester offering covers basic concepts in the field as groundwork on which the remainder of the EOHS curriculum is built.
Prerequisites: Prerequisites: Must be a master’s student majoring in the EOHS Division, or a doctoral student from another division with a minor in EOHS; or equivalent undergraduate preparation as that of an EOHS major. Exceptions with approval from instructor.
This is a designated core course.
________________________________PH 2110 Overview of Environmental Health
Credits: 3
This course is a survey of the major areas of environmental health and provides students with an understanding of hazards in the environment, the effects of environmental contaminants on health, and various approaches to address major environmental health problems. Areas of emphasis are population dynamics, global environmental health problems, toxicology, food, air and water quality, occupational health, radiation, noise, and solid and hazardous waste. This course is also offered at Brownsville, Dallas, El Paso, and San Antonio Regional Campuses.
This is a designated core course.
________________________________PH 2115 Introduction to Population and Environmental Assessment
Credits: 3
In this course the student will be introduced to the environmental factors that affect the health of a community and how human populations interact with and adapt to them. Students will learn how to use demographic data, vital statistics, and measurements of the physical environment to assess health risks and health status. Students will engage in projects that require locating environmental, demographic, and health data from libraries, the internet, health department records and from on-site measurements of environmental conditions. They will integrate and analyze these data with a geographic information system. Also, the students will be introduced to a heuristic that can be used by their institutions to assess and guide environmental action.
This is a designated core course.
________________________________PH 2120 Man's Impact on the Environment
Credits: 3
The major course goals of this online course are to develop a general awareness of how the man-made and natural ecosystem interact to affect health and the quality of life, review relevant principles from the natural sciences, and discuss issues influencing the solutions to environmental health problems. This will be accomplished through lectures, videos, class discussions, group activities, written assignments, and examinations.
This is a designated core course.
This course is available by ITV to Regional Campuses.
________________________________PH 2125 Medical Geography
Credits: 3
This course is organized to teach students the techniques of spatial and temporal analyses that are crucial for the conduct of studies in environmental science, epidemiology, and other fields of public health. The course consists of formal lectures, computer laboratory exercises, and student projects. Class lectures address the methods of medical geography, disease patterns and clusters, environmental and occupational toxicology, demography, data sources and reliability, waterborne and airborne diseases, animal and insect vector diseases, environmental and biological cycles, and software programs to graph and analyze spatial and temporal trends.
Prerequisites: Basic computer skills, biostatistics, epidemiology, animal/human biology.
________________________________PH 2130 Recognition of Environmental and Occupational Hazards
Credits: 2
Industrial and community sources of major chemical hazards are overviewed. Principal toxicological effects of and diseases affected by these chemicals are presented. Their occurrence as ambient air, water, soil and indoor and workplace pollutants is described. Transport to other environmental media, and environmental and biological fate are discussed for some key pollutants.
This is a designated core course.
________________________________PH 2131 Environmental Risk Assessment
Credits: 2
This course expands concepts learned in Biostatistics and Environmental Health Science core courses. Previous work in toxicology (Hazards PH 2130) and exposure assessment (Foundations PH 2100) are utilized as components of risk analysis. This is a problem-oriented course which relies upon examples and homework problems using environmental data. Problems are meant to be solved using computer techniques. Computer software programs will be utilized, including @Risk Monte Carlo simulation software.
Prerequisites: Prerequisites (or, concurrently): PH 2100 Foundations of Environment and Occupational Health Sciences, PH 1610 Introduction to Biostatistics, PH 2610 Introduction to Epidemiology
________________________________PH 2150 Air Environment
Credits: 3
This course provides an overview of air pollution, including sources, influencing factors, effects, regulations, surveillance methods, control techniques and standards, and the criteria upon which they are based. Both outdoor ambient air and (non-occupational) indoor air quality will be considered. Special emphasis will be placed on human health effects and the determinants of human exposure.
________________________________PH 2155 Environmental Sampling and Analysis
Credits: 4
This course covers the theoretical bases and practical applications of sampling techniques and analytical methods used in the quantitative determination of chemical air contaminants, ionizing radiation, and noise in the workplace and community environments. Emphasis will be on spectroscopic, chromatographic, and other modern instrumental methods. Laboratory exercises will be included.
________________________________PH 2165 Mutagenesis and Carcinogenesis
Credits: 3
This basic course in genetic toxicology includes current research involving environmental mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. Topics include: short-term test systems (DNA damage in vitro, bacterial, and cellular mutagenesis), metabolic activation/deactivation of genotoxins, chromosomal damage, epidemiological and public health aspects of cancer, biomarkers and occupational exposure to genotoxins, and effects of genotoxins on reproduction.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
________________________________PH 2170 Methods for Exposure Assessment
Credits: 4
This course examines qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate exposures to occupational and environmental contaminants. Particular emphasis focuses on statistical techniques for describing sources of variability and identifying important determinants of exposure. This course also explores implications of variability on the design of sampling strategies, the evaluation of compliance with exposure limits, the assessment of exposure-response relations, and the classification of populations in epidemiologic studies. Students apply models presented formally in class to occupational and environmental exposure data sets.
Prerequisites: PH 2610, PH 1726, and one graduate-level course in environmental and occupational health sciences; consent of instructor.
________________________________PH 2175 Toxicology I: Principles of Toxicology
Credits: 4
Basic principles of toxicology and their applications to the understanding of xenobiotic-induced target organ toxicity will be presented in this course. Topics covered include toxicant disposition, mechanisms of toxicity and target organ responses to toxic agents. A broad overview of various classes of toxic agents will be presented in the context of their exposure routes, disposition, toxicologic sequelae, and mechanisms of toxicity. This course is designed to provide a foundation for understanding the complex interactions between toxicants and biologic systems.
Prerequisites: Biology and chemistry (organic); physiology; biochemistry desirable; and consent of instructor.
This is a designated core course.
________________________________PH 2177 Toxicology II: Toxic Agents and the Environment
Credits: 1
Guided readings will provide the basis for in-class discussions on current topics in toxicology. Class activities will be based on discussions of current mechanisms of toxicity as they relate to the understanding of environmentally-induced disease.
Prerequisites: PH 2175; consent of instructor.
________________________________PH 2180 Medical and Public Health Chronobiology
Credits: 3
Homeostasis, or constancy, is a major construct of environmental science, industrial hygiene, occupational medicine, epidemiology, and other public health disciplines. The concept of homeostasis is assumed in the design of most epidemiologic investigations and in the establishment of environmental and industrial exposure standards. The course explores biological timekeeping and biological rhythms in health and disease in human beings and other life forms. It addresses the impact of environment factors on 24-hour, menstrual, and annual endogenous rhythms and functions and time patterns in the occurrence and symptom intensity of human diseases. It distinguishes between time patterns in disease as a direct expression of endogenous rhythms versus those triggered by cyclic environmental factors. The course covers the biological responses and health consequences of shift schedules, rhythms in the susceptibility/resistance of humans and other life forms to industrial and environmental toxicants and challenges, and administration-time (rhythm) determinants of the safety and efficiency of medications. The course involves vigorous discussions and projects that include the collection and analysis of time series data by dedicated software programs. The course should be of special interest to students with interests in occupational and industrial medicine, environmental science, toxicology, human and animal ecology, and/or epidemiology.
Prerequisites: Human biology, computer skills, consent of instructor.
________________________________PH 2220 Ground Water Supply Protection
Credits: 4
Objectives of this course are to provide students with the field, laboratory, study design, and data analysis skills required by environmental, international health, epidemiology, disease control and other public health professionals to properly assess and monitor the quality of hydrological systems utilized as water supplies. Issues of water quality, as they relate to human and ecological health, will include exposure and health risk assessment, water quality criteria, goals, standards, enforcement, and oversight. Integrated field, classroom, laboratory, and computer learning sessions will focus on water quantity and quality issues. Field sampling locations are chosen from among the public water supply reservoirs located in Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties.
Prerequisites: College chemistry, computer skills, or consent of instructor.
________________________________PH 2230 Water Environment
Credits: 4
Objectives of this course are to provide students with the field, laboratory, study design, and data analysis skills required by environmental, international health, epidemiology, disease control and other public health professionals to properly assess and monitor the quality of hydrological systems utilized as water supplies. Issues of water quality, as they relate to human and ecological health, will include exposure and health risk assessment, water quality criteria, goals, standards, enforcement, and oversight. Integrated field, classroom, laboratory, and computer learning sessions will focus on water quantity and quality issues. Field sampling locations are chosen from among the public water supply reservoirs located in Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties.
Prerequisites: College chemistry, computer skills.
________________________________PH 2240 Occupational and Environmental Health
Credits: 4
This course introduces the multidisciplinary field of occupational/environmental health through a review of historical and social perspectives, pertinent legislation, and surveillance activities. Occupational/ environmental illnesses affecting the various body systems are presented from the viewpoints of causation and prevention. Emphasis will be placed on the elements of systematic investigation of occupational and environmental health issues, identification of risk factors, and acquisition of appropriate information sources.
________________________________PH 2245 Industrial Hygiene I: Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene
Credits: 4
Students are introduced to basic concepts of industrial hygiene and occupational health hazards. Typical industrial conditions which may produce work-related disorders and diseases are studied. Major chemical, physical, and biological stresses in the industrial environment are presented, and important sources, effects, and evaluation and control measures are discussed.
Prerequisites: Undergraduate biology, chemistry (through organic), and mathematics.
________________________________PH 2250 Industrial Hygiene II: Occupational Health Controls
Credits: 3
Principles and practice of control of occupational health and safety hazards are presented. These include issues of administrative, training, engineering, and personal protection controls, with emphasis on industrial ventilation.
Prerequisites: PH 2245.
________________________________PH 2255 Clinical Occupational Medicine
Credits: 4
This course offers students the opportunity to: familiarize themselves with the clinical practice of, and current issues in, occupational medicine; supplement basic knowledge in the clinical presentations of occupational illness and injury by organ systems; and be introduced to systematic approaches to the evaluation and management of work-related injury and illness. The course is designed for students interested in occupational medicine practice and who have taken at least a college level biology course.
________________________________PH 2260 Occupational Health Field Trips
Credits: 3
The class takes students into approximately one-half dozen industrial and occupational settings, with analysis of processes and potential worker health hazards involved. Course goals are to: introduce students to basic industrial processes and delivery of occupational health services, through the conduct of plant visits; enable students to perform simple walk-through evaluations of plant facilities and to provide written reports on these evaluations, in order to identify potential workplace hazards and evaluate their level of control; and have students appreciate the importance of using an integrated interdisciplinary approach in the anticipation, evaluation and control of workplace hazards.
Prerequisites: PH 2240 or permission of instructor.
________________________________PH 2270 Introduction to Human Biology
Credits: 3
This course is designed to provide basic information on human biology for students who need strengthening in biology. Course topics will include: concepts in biochemistry and cell biology; human anatomy, physiology and nutrition; the immune response; and genetics and evolution.
This course is available by ITV to the Regional Campuses.
________________________________PH 2275 Disease: Natural History, Prevention, Control
Credits: 3
This course is intended for students who have not had significant training in disease biology. It will cover common diseases, medical terminology, and the associated scientific and medical literature. A series of lectures will be provided by interdivisional faculty from School of Public Health. The objectives of the course are to provide a basic understanding of the biological basis of health and disease processes and to develop a vocabulary of medical terminology that will enhance the student's ability to read and comprehend public health literature. Evaluations will be based on mid-term (30%) and final examinations (30%) (given during class), as well as attendance (40%). Examinations will cover lecture material, study questions, and textbook.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
________________________________PH 2280 Public Health Microbiology I
Credits: 3
This course offers a survey of parasitic and selected viral diseases of public health importance. Current issues regarding the control, intervention, and prevention strategies for these infections are discussed. The course is designed for individuals with a basic science background who have not received previous formal training in human parasitology.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor
________________________________PH 2285 Public Health Microbiology II
Credits: 3
This course offers a survey of bacteriologic diseases of public health importance. Current issues regarding the control, intervention, and prevention strategies of these infections are discussed. The course is designed for individuals with a basic science background who have not received previous formal training in human bacteriology.
________________________________PH 2290 Immunology
Credits: 3
This course covers the essential concepts of human immune responses and their relevance to disease control and prevention. The course is designed for individuals with a basic science background who have not received previous formal training in immunology.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
________________________________PH 2498 Special Topics in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
Credits: 1-4
Topics will vary from semester-to-semester to provide intensive study of selected environmental factors, or specific methods of analysis, evaluation, or control. Previous topics have included: Disparities in Health; Environmental Risk Assessment; Environmental Sciences Site Visits; Skills Introduction to the Environmental Aspects of Infectious Disease; Monte Carlo Analysis and Simulation; Occupational and Environmental Respiratory Disease; Occupational Health Nursing I; Occupational Health Nursing II; Physical Agents: Noise and Radiation; Public Health Preparedness/Disaster Response; Public Health Risk Communication; Public Health Seminar; Seminar in Environmental Sciences; Contemporary Topics in Toxicology; Seminar on Workplace Safety
________________________________PH 2499 Individual Study in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
Credits: 1-9
A plan of study is determined for each participating student and supervised by a member of the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences faculty. May be repeated for credit.
________________________________PH 9997 Practicum
Credits: 1-9
A practicum is determined by the student and advisor, and supervised by a member of the Division faculty.
________________________________PH 9998 Culminating Experience/Thesis Research
Credits: 1-9
Thesis research is determined by the student with approval of the student's advisory committee. May be repeated for credit.
________________________________PH 9999 Dissertation Research
Credits: 1-9
Dissertation research is determined by the student with approval of the student's advisory committee. May be repeated for credit.