NORTHERN CARIBBEAN UNIVERSITY
(College of Natural and Applied Sciences)
Department of Biology, Chemistry and Allied Health Sciences
BIOL.262, Principles of Environmental Health
Course Outline- Spring 2009
Facilitator: Lemuel Brady, BSEH (ETSU); MPH (UWI)
Email: lemuel_brady@yahoo.com
Schedule; Tue/Thu: 9:30 – 10:50 am
Section ACredits 3
Revised: Jan. 2009
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Fundamentals of Environmental Health Module will examine elements in the environment (water, air, vectors,
food, wastes, and various aspects of pollution.) and some pathways and linkages whereby they impact “health”,
“well being” or “quality of life”. It presents an opportunity also to explore the wider concept of “environment” and
how elements within this wider concept/context can interact to influence health and/or well being. It will also present
some of the principles underlying action for protection and preservation of the environment and for the prevention
and control of disease and vectors of disease; how to preserve the environment from the results of human activity,
seeing that human health and survival are dependent on man’s relationship with and protection of the environment;
address some of the major environmental problems that can affect human health today and outline positive actions
that can be taken by individuals and communities to deal with such problerns.
Objectives: At the end of this module the participant will be able to:
i)
Discuss the fundamentals of Environmental Health outlining some aspects of the development of
environmental health practice
ii)
Differentiate between chronic and communicable diseases
iii) Offer technically sound advice for:
a.
Food safety, drinking water safety, and environmental safety
b.
waste water/excreta management
c.
solid wastes management air quality, and vector control
d.
Occupational health , Radiological health
e.
Environmental planning
f.
Shelter environments
g.
Principles of environmental health administration
iv) Identify some results of the impact of population on the environment
v)
Explain some of the premises underlying “risk” and risk management
vii Guide the development of strategies for the implementation of community action towards the
identification and mitigation of environmental health problems at the community level with a view to
enhancing the aesthetics of the environment and for the protection of the public health and wellbeing
Required Text: Morgan, Monroe T., “Environmental Health”, 3rd edition. Wadsworth/Thompson Learning, 10
Davis Drive, Belmont, CA 94002-3098, USA. (Available at the University book store, Tai center)
Recommended reading: Hales, Dianne. “Working Towards a healthy Environment” Cap. 20 in “An Invitation
to Health” 12th Edition ,Thompson/ Wadsworth Learning, 10 Davis Drive,Belmont Ca94022-3098,USA
i)
ii)
Blumenthal, Daniel S.; James Ruttenber. “Introduction to Environmental Health”
Revised 2nd Ed. 1995; Springer Publishing Company, 536 Broadway, New York, NY.
The World Commission on Environment and development - “Our Common Future”; Chapter 4;
“Population and Human resources” Oxford University Press, Walton Street, Oxford OX2 2DP,
1988
Course requirements:
1
2
3
4
Attendance at all lectures and participation in class as appropriate. Absences for illness must be
authenticated by a doctor’s certificate accordingly.
Read assigned materials before class period
Submit all assignments and reading reports ON TIME: NO LATE WORK WILL BE
ACCEPTED WITHOUT A VALID EXPLANATION!!
Personal Assignment: You will be required to identify articles/reports addressing current
matters on the environment/ environmental Health/ public health, choose one for discussion with
and approval of the lecturer, read and critically analyze the article/report, and submit a (one
page, type- written, 12pt, Times New Roman font, double spaced,) brief summary of the
contents of the article, your thoughts/perception on the matter against the background of the
information that you are studying or your research findings on environmental health. Your
submission must include the following in order to be acceptable: Your Name/ID number, Course
(number and Title), Title of the article /report being analyzed /critiqued, the source of the
particular article. Please ensure accuracy of spelling and grammar.
Service Learning Component: This will require the active involvement and “hands on” participation of all class
members in interfacing with the wider community in the identification of local environmental health problems
/concerns and working with government entities, communities or civic groups within the community to plan
strategies for the management and/or elimination of undesirable or aesthetically unacceptable behaviors or
conditions that threaten the integrity of the environment and the health of the community. Reports on the activity
will consist of

Title of the particular activity

Names of the participating group members

Location /community /where pursued

Name of the entity (ties) with which collaborate in the process

Description of the process of engaging the community for the identification of the particular
problem/ need and in the planning for its mitigation.

The situation, “ before ” engaging in the service learning activity

Factors which enhanced /hindered the execution of the activity

The situation “after” engaging in the service learning activity

The impact of the experience on the participants’ personal/professional growth
Each group will, in addition to making a five to ten minutes summary presentation to the class, submit a written 6
page, type-written, 12pt, Times New Roman font, double spaced, report on the activity NO LATER THAN the
following class period. The first page should be in the format of a “Title page” bearing details in keeping with the
first four items indicated in the bulleted list above. NB: This activity is an indispensable part of the course
requirements.
Evaluation:
Your final grade will be based on satisfactory performance in the following:
 Attendance and active participation……..……………….…….5%
 Sectional quizzes x 2 X 15……………………………………30%
 Reading reports and assignments……………………………..15%
 Final examination ………………………………………… …50%

Total
100%