| Course Code : | 2023FBDBMW | | Study domain: | Environmental Science | | Semester: | Semester: 1st semester
| | Contact hours: | 45 | | Credits: | 6 | | Study load (hours): | 168 | | Contract restrictions: | Exam contract not possible
| | Language of instruction : | Dutch
| | Exam period: | exam in the 1st semester
| | Tutor(s) | Marc Van Sprundel
Greta Schoeters
Luc Verschaeve
Patrick Meire
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1. Prerequisites
At the start of this course the student should have acquired the following competences:
Specific prerequisites for this course:
- The student is able to perform a literature search, to consult databases, to find relevant websites
- The student is able to read critically scientific articles in English
- The student has general knowledge about chemistry, physics and microbiology
- The student has general knowledge about biology
- The student has general knowledge about human physiology, pathology, physiotherapy and toxicology
- The student has general knowledge about epidemiology
2. Learning outcomes
The student can explain the organization and functioning of ecosystems. He gets insight in the relationship between ecosystems and humans. He can analyse the different elements of the causal chain between environmental pressure and adverse health effects. He knows about the quality of the environment (air, water, soil,food) and can explain how chemical, physical and microbiological environmental risk factors act upon the human body and may cause adverse health effects. He can analyse and explain whether environmental stressors have a significant impact on public health.
3. Course contents
- The functioning of ecosystems
- The impact of environmental pollution on ecosystems
- The impact of ecosystem disturbances on human health
- Basic principles of sustainable development
- Determinants of human health
- Indicators to follow the relationship between environmental pressure and health effects
- Characteristics of the urban environment (including traffic, heating,, housing ) and related environmental pressure (air pollution, waste, noise, light, soil ...)
- Pollution of the atmosphere (including ozone, particulate matter,, photochemical air pollution, PAHs, dioxins) and impact on humans
- Indoor air pollution (relation between indoor and outdoor pollution, solvents, humidity in houses, dust, radon, CO,..) and their impact on humans
- Effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation on humans
- Pollution of soil and water and the impact on humans
4. Teaching method
Class contact teaching: Lectures
Personal work: Exercises
Directed self-study
5. Assessment method and criteria
Examination: Written without oral presentationClosed book
6. Study material
Required reading
- lecture notes
- handouts
- scientific articles
- MIRA-reports (http://www.milieurapport.be/)
Optional reading
The following study material can be studied on a voluntary basis:
- Environmental Science: Creating a sustainable future. Chiras D.D., Jones & Bartlett, 6th edition, 2001, 725 p. - Milieu- en natuurrapporten Vlaanderen, VMM website - Themanummer ‘Impact of environmental pollution on health: Balancing risk’. British Medical Bulletin, 2003, volume 68, number 1, 282 p. - Yassi A., Kjellström T, de Kok T, Guidotti TL. Basic Environmental Health. World Health Organization. OxfordUniversity Press, 2001, 441 p.
7. Contact information
(+)last update: 05/01/2010 12:15 marc.vansprundel
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