Human Health and Environmental Risk

A.Y. 2023/2024
6
Max ECTS
64
Overall hours
SSD
MED/04
Language
English
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the basics of the complex relationship between the environment and the health status of the human population. The aim of the course is to lay the foundations for understanding the main risks on human health and to provide quantitative tools for monitoring and to design possible risk prevention strategies
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will be able to critically read the scientific literature on the relationship between environment and health. Starting from a certain risk, he will be able to develop models and strategies that will prevent the dissemination on the population, for example. The student will acquire competences for the use of computational models that require transversal and interdisciplinary skills.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

The course is delivered in English

Lesson period
First semester
the zoom platform will be used
Course syllabus
Brief Description: The course will deal with all aspects of the natural and built environment that may affect human health. Environmental health and environmental protection are very much related. Environmental health is focused on the natural and built environments for the benefit of human health, whereas environmental protection is concerned with protecting the natural environment for the benefit of human health and the ecosystem. Therefore, the course will deal with the strong foundation of fundamental pathologies related to environmental science that are required for a correct policy to work at the forefront of the field. This innovative degree program bridges the knowledge of the pathologies, with environment, technology, society and development using quantitative analysis and computational tools. Strengthening these connections meets a pressing need to train professionals who can creatively integrate different kinds of knowledge among different social groups in diverse settings. The program gives students a powerful understanding of where the sciences overlap and inform policy and society.


The main purposes of this course are:

1. To provide notions of the pathologies linked to the effect of changes of the environment, technology and society
2. To provide predictive instruments using computational tools to quantify the impact of environment, technology and society on changes in physiological processes related to pathologies
3. To provide the new instruments to integrate different knowledge to understand the impact of environmental changes on public health and the communicative strategies to inform policy and society
Prerequisites for admission
A biological knowledge base and quantitative data processing are required.
Teaching methods
There will be both lectures and exercises with direct students involvement
Teaching Resources
Scientific articles, videos and other teaching materials will be provided during the course
Assessment methods and Criteria
Learning will be assessed by exercises that will be assigned with specific objectives gradually throughout the course at the end of each topic with specific objectives. Students on their own or in groups will be invited to carry out a series of in-class tests from the presentation of seminars to the elaboration of a critical analysis to the development of a video . The course will also include seminars delivered by specialists in the field and open discussion with the class.
MED/04 - EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 6
Practicals: 32 hours
Lessons: 32 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Every Monday, hours to be agreed by email
Teams Platform