Time Schedule:
Jane Q Koenig
ENV H 535
Seattle Campus
Advanced course on the toxicology of air pollutants and the response of the respiratory system to inhaled gaseous and particulate toxicants. Issues and concepts covered include biology of the respiratory system, exposure technology, experimental design and methodological issues, health effects of air pollutants, and regulatory aspects. Prerequisite: ENV H 514-516, or ENV H 405 or permission of instructor. Offered: even years; A.
Class description
Students will learn how to assess effects of air pollution on the morphology, biochemistry, and physiologic of the respiratory system. They will learn about the physical and chemical properties of common air pollutants and how those air pollutants interact with the respiratory system. They also will learn which pollutants are most closely associated with adverse health effects and will be presented with possible mechanisms of the toxic effects. Current controversies about the extent of adverse health effects will be discussed.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
The primary method of instruction is lectures. Students are supplied with a syllabus containing approximately 10 of the most current journal articles in the field of air pollution health effects.
Students also are required to select one journal article and present an oral critique of that article in class.
Recommended preparation
Some background in biology is recommended. This course was designed for PhD candidates in the Department of Environmental Health however master level graduate students and students from engineering, physiology, epidemiology, and biostatistics also have enrolled in the course. Graduate status required..
Class assignments and grading
Attending lectures and reading the required material.
Students also are required to select one journal article and present an oral critique of that article in class. This contributes 20% to the grade. There also is a mid term exam (30%) and a final take home exam (50%).
