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Instructor Class Description

Time Schedule:

Elaine M. Faustman
ENV H 593
Seattle Campus

Current Topics in Risk Assessment

Examines current topics in risk assessment and risk communication with a focus on issues in environmental health. Consists of presentations led by students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty. Students expected to participate actively in discussion. Credit/no credit only. Offered: AWSp."

Class description

Title: Chemical Policy Reform: Challenges, Opportunities, and Implications for Sustainability

This course will serve as an introduction to chemical policy developments occurring at the state, national, and international level. Examples include green chemistry efforts, U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) reform, and REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical substances) implementation in the European Union. The course will focus on policy hurdles, prospects, and consequences related to sustainability.

Upon completion of this journal club, students shall be able to: (1) Demonstrate familiarity with chemical policy reform efforts and their relevance to risk assessment and risk management; Compare and contrast these reform efforts occurring at various geographic scales; and (2)Articulate challenges, opportunities, and implications for sustainability arising from chemical policy reform.

Student learning goals

Develop skills to think critically about risk assessment and risk management by completing reading assignments and participating in class discussions

Explain the risk assessment framework as it relates specifically to the current quarter topic

Identify risk assessment strengths and challenges, as well as the role of uncertainty

Summarize key points from assigned journal articles or other required readings

Prepare and deliver an oral presentation(s) discussing the required reading

Develop skills to think critically about the methods and tools used for assessment, management, and communication of risk

General method of instruction

This course is a journal club that examines current topics in risk assessment and risk management with a focus on issues in environmental health. It includes four to five sessions consisting of presentations led by students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty. Students are expected to complete reading assignments and participate actively in discussion. This class is required for students seeking completion of the Risk Emphasis Program.

Recommended preparation

N/A

Class assignments and grading

Students are expected to complete reading assignments and participate actively in discussion. This class is required for students seeking completion of the Risk Emphasis Program.

This course is credit/no credit only. To receive a credit grade, students are expected to:

1. Attend class 2. Participate fully in class discussions (listen, ask questions, offer opinions, share experiences) 3. Present one to two articles dependent upon quarter topic 4. Read one to two articles as background for each session


The information above is intended to be helpful in choosing courses. Because the instructor may further develop his/her plans for this course, its characteristics are subject to change without notice. In most cases, the official course syllabus will be distributed on the first day of class.
Last Update by Elaine M. Faustman
Date: 09/04/2009