James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2024

TM5514 - Environmental Health

Subject Description

Public health is strongly influenced by the environment and many illnesses can be initiated, promoted, sustained or stimulated by environmental factors. Environmental health is thus concerned with assessing, understanding and controlling the impacts of an ever-increasing and resource-hungry human population on the environment and conversely, the impacts of the environment on populations. This subject thus provides frameworks for the investigation and management of environmental health problems, reviews the routes of exposure (air, water, sanitation, food and agriculture), and addresses issues pertaining to sustainable development (settlements, urbanisation, energy, industry, global concerns, Indigenous issues and emergency situations). Assessments are based on the increasing need for public health professionals to develop capacity to identify and research problems, formulate improved solutions and explain human implications to the public.

Learning Outcomes

• analyse and evaluate environmental health issues related to public health
• investigate environmental impacts on human health and and propose solutions related to these issues
• apply a risk management framework to environmental health issues

Subject Assessment

• Written > Examination (centrally administered) - (40%) - Individual
• Written > Briefing paper - (40%) - Individual
• Participation > Online participation - (20%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Special Assessment Requirements

Complete and submit all assessment items; Achieve an overall percentage of 50% or more from the combined graded assessments within the subject

Availabilities