Accessibility statement

Environment & Health - ENV00021M

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  • Department: Environment and Geography
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

We are all exposed to low levels of a variety of natural and man-made agents (e.g., pathogens, chemicals, noise, etc.) present in the physical environment. There is increasing evidence that exposure to these environmental agents may lead to negative health effects. This module introduces students with a broad range of backgrounds to the key notions and measures of environment and health.

It provides an overview of current and emerging environmental exposures, and of their potential health effects. The methodology to estimate the risk posed to human health in relation to exposure from chemicals in the environment is presented in detail. The foundations for assessing health impacts in relation to environmental exposure are also discussed and put into practice. Finally, the module reviews some mitigation strategies and the national and European provisions set out for Environment & Health.

Module learning outcomes

  1. Understand the complex relationships between environmental exposure & health effects;
  2. Gain practical knowledge and understanding of the basis for estimating health impacts & health risks from environmental exposures; and
  3. Have awareness of the current environmental health policy in Europe and the UK.

Generic / Employability Skills:

The module provides technical, scientific and policy understanding of the environment & health field. This is an important employment sector for environmental graduates for the foreseeable future. The module provides understanding and hands-on experience of environmental health risk assessment and environmental health impact assessment. The following generic skills are developed:

  • Undertaken an independent piece of literature review & synthesis
  • The ability to use a variety of data sources, i.e. Journals, web pages, databases (data-mining)
  • Weighing of evidence on complex environmental issues and with imperfect scientific evidence
  • Quantitative skills (calculations)
  • Preparation of a research proposal

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Seminar sessions are provided midway through the development of coursework. These provide an opportunity for formative feedback on preparation of the coursework.

Feedback on individual reports is provided as written comments on returned work and detailed class feedback in written form (disseminated via the VLE) giving generic information on good practice and improvement actions. Individual coursework is available for collection before end of summer term.

Indicative reading

Fjeld R.A., Eisenberg N.A., Compton K.L. (2007) Quantitative Environmental Risk
Analysis for Human Health. Wiley InterScience, New jersey. Available as an e-book in the library or via the VLE.
Moore GS (2007) Living with the Earth: Concepts in Environmental Health Science. CRC Press
Selinus O (2005) Essentials of medical geology : impacts of the natural environment on public health. Elsevier
Wilkinson P (2006) Environmental epidemiology. Open University Press


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.