Environmental Health Sciences Courses
Ehs 500 Environmental Health for Teachers (3)
This course is intended for middle and high school teachers and will serve as a comprehensive introduction to the field of environmental health science. Topics covered will include environmental chemistry, epidemiology, toxicology with molecular epidemiology, and exposure and risk assessment. In addition to these core modules, there will be presentations on special topics such as lead screening, the rabies epidemic in wildlife, and the environmental super fund. There will also be computer software training covering spread sheets, graphics interfaces, and use of the world-wide-web. Course participants are expected to write a syllabus for their own classroom, to help design laboratory experiments for their students, and to report on the success of introducing the course material to their own students during the succeeding school year. S/U graded.
Ehs 504A, B (Chm 540A,B) Comprehensive Biochemistry (3,3)
Chemical characteristics of living matter, amino acids, polypeptides and proteins, supramolecular assembly and membrane structure; enzyme mechanisms and kinetics; bioenergetics and the chemistry of metabolism; electron transport and other transports across membranes; biosynthesis, storage, and expression of genetic information. Additional assignments will be required, including a term paper and oral delivery. Prerequisite: Chm 216B or consent of instructor.
Ehs 515 Environmental Physiology (3)
Provides a basic understanding of physiological responses to natural and man-made environmental conditions by using topics such as regulation and control of respiration, biological effects of specific inhaled inorganic and organic dust, environmental dermatosis, physiological effects of abnormal atmospheric pressure, the ear as a sound transducer, anatomy and physiology of the eye, physiological responses to heat stress, the anatomy of function, anatomy and physiology of the olfactory system, physiological and anatomical responses to low temperature exposure. Prerequisite: Introductory course in biology.
Ehs 520 Principles of Environmental Chemistry (3)
A survey of known environmental pollutants undertaken to familiarize students with the processes of evolution, emission, transport and disposition of these compounds in the environment. Prerequisite: Two years of college chemistry or the consent of the instructor.
Ehs 525 Environmental Chemical Analysis (3)
The theory, basic instrumentation and applications of instrumental techniques used in environmental analysis. Included are atomic and molecular spectrometry, chromatography, mass spectrometry and electrochemical techniques. Particular emphasis is placed on those aspects of analysis which influence the precision and accuracy of analytical data. These include the effects of sampling, sample preparation and instrumental. Prerequisites: Three undergraduate courses in chemistry, or consent of instructor.
Ehs 530 Principles of Toxicology (3)
Fundamentals and principles of toxicology including absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of chemicals and drugs in mammalian systems. The toxicology of specific organ systems and of classes of compounds which produce similar toxic effects presented. Current governmental regulations concerning foods, drugs, and environmental policies discussed. Prerequisite: Two years of undergraduate chemistry and one year of undergraduate biology or consent of instructor.
Ehs 531 Aquatic Toxicology (3)
This course has been designed to address aquatic pollution from a viewpoint of environmental toxicology. Based on the physical and chemical characteristics of water and pollutants, the course will explore the aquatic dynamics, toxicity and microbial transformation of contaminants, their impact on the ecosystem, and the issue of water quality management from public health perspectives. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Ehs 535 Environment and Cancer (3)
This one-semester course will discuss the impact of environmental factors including air and water contaminants, diet and lifestyle on the risk of cancer. Both cancer causing agents and cancer preventive agents will be discussed in the light of available research evidence from human, animal and cellular studies. Students interested in a more comprehensive study of cancer biology can additionally take BMS 622.
Ehs 540 Principles of Radiation Science (3)
Fundamentals of nuclear transformation and radioactivity, interaction of radiation with matter, detection and measurement, dosimetry, biological effects, use of radionuclides in physics/chemistry, biology and earth sciences, radionuclides in the environment, radiation and public health. A background in physics and mathematics through calculus is recommended but not required.
Ehs 541 Radioactivity Measurements Laboratory (3)
Principles of measurement of alpha, beta, and gamma radiations. Safe preparation of radioactivity samples. Measurements of radioactivity using semiconductor (germanium and silicon) detectors, liquid and solid scintillation detectors, as well as gas proportional counters. Computer automation in radioactivity measurements. Data analysis, reports preparation. Prerequisite: Ehs 540 or equivalent.
Ehs 545 Global Climate Change, Extreme Weather and Public Health (3)
This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive picture of how a changing climate and extreme weather or natural disasters affect public health. As climate-related extreme weather events become more severe and frequent, how climate change affects public health is becoming an important and growing concern in the US, and in other parts of the world. Climate related events such as heat waves, cold spells, hurricanes, flooding, severe storms, and power outages have affected multiple health outcomes, including cardiovascular/ respiratory diseases, water-/food- or vector-borne diseases, birth outcomes, injury and mental health. The specific aims of this course are to: 1) Learn the major implications of climate change on public health outcomes; 2) Know what and how basic and specialized methods or tools can be used to analyze health risks from climate change, identify vulnerable populations, and produce risk communication; and 3) Recommend or develop climate-health adaptation strategies or intervention plans by integrating knowledge learned and evidence-based findings from NYS, and working with the instructor and other governmental officials. The overall objective of this new course is to lay a foundation for cross-disciplinary fields by engaging students in lectures, project-based learning, and discussions built around the emerging knowledge base of public health, atmospheric science, and emergency preparedness.
Ehs 560 Sustainability, Green Design and Public Health (3)
This course covers the theory, principles and measures of sustainability and public health. Through hand-on projects and real-world cases, the students will work with governmental, industrial and non-profit organization partners to assess the environmental footprints and health impacts of their products and services, and suggest the sustainable interventions.
Ehs 590 Introduction to Environmental Health (3)
Basic concepts of the modes of transmission of environmental stressors from source or reservoir to host and methods of reducing their impact on human population; basic concepts, methods and premises of environmental risk management. Prerequisite: College level biology course or permission of instructor.
Ehs 591 Introduction to Occupational Health (3)
This course will provide students with a strong foundation in the field of occupational health. Prevention of common occupational injuries and illnesses will be emphasized. Topics in industrial hygiene and applicable regulatory matters will be addressed. Regional and state-wide issues with respect to occupational health and safety will be explored.
Ehs 592 Industrial Hygiene (3)
Provides graduate-level analysis of the principles on which the evaluation and control of the work environment is based by preparing students to pass the first half of the ABIH certification exam, to discuss clearly and intelligently issues in workplace health and safety and to creatively formulate research projects.
Ehs 593 Introduction to Occupational Ergonomics (2)
The course is designed to give the student the basic scientific knowledge (anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, psychology) and the basic skills in design principles to effectively identify, evaluate and control workplace risk factors associated with the development of musculoskeletal injuries. This methodology also includes evaluating human productivity and cost effectiveness.
Ehs 603 (Epi 613) Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology (3)
Review of the health risks of physical/chemical agents in air, water and soil. Topics to be covered: studies of mortality including retrospective cohort studies, proportional studies and case-control studies within a cohort; studies of morbidity including case reports, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies and cohort studies; and exposure-based surveillance of populations. Prerequisites: Introductory Courses in Epidemiology (Epi 500 or 501) and in Biostatistics (Sta 551, 552 or 572).
Ehs 605 Water Quality and Public Health (3)
Multiple case studies will introduce water quality concepts and demonstrate the impact of economics and politics on public health policy. Information to evaluate the action plans of each case will be presented. Water chemistry and microbiology will be emphasized. Students will evaluate issues and critique implemented plans by written and oral evaluations. Prerequisites: Completion of at least two core courses in either the EHS or the MPH program or permission of instructor.
Ehs 607 Global Environmental Health Policy (3)
Examination from a variety of analytic perspectives of several global health policy issues of current social, economic, and political importance. Issues include toxic substances, vector borne diseases, climate change, health disparities, occupational health standards, environmental risk analyses, and risk management. Prerequisite: Ehs 590 or the equivalent.
Ehs 611 Environmental Physiology of Algae (3)
Lectures, laboratory, and discussion. Physiological responses of algae to environmental conditions. Topics include the kinetics of growth, photosynthesis and other metabolic processes as affected by nutrients, irradiance, temperature, toxic pollutants and other environmental stresses. Emphasis placed on experimental studies including the theory and use of various culture methods for physiological and ecological investigations. Prerequisite(s): Ehs 510; Ehs 520; biochemistry, or permission of instructor.
Ehs 612 (Epi 621) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Public Health (3)
This course covers the basics of geographic information systems (GIS) as applied toward epidemiologic research and surveillance. GIS software functionality, geocoding, use of global positioning systems (GPS), sources of data and spatial statistical methods are among the topics covered. Prerequisite: Epi 501.
Ehs 613 Pollution Ecology of Freshwater Invertebrates (3)
An introduction to the kinds of macroinvertebrates inhabiting freshwater habitats, and how their distributions and abundances are affected by various types of pollution.
Ehs 614 Advanced Topics in Applied Limnology and Water Pollution Biology (2)
Discussion of novel methodologies and current problems. Emphasis on student reading and presentations in class. Prerequisite: Ehs 510.
Ehs 615 Environmental Microbiology (3)
This course will present a brief review of basic microbiology and then focus on information related to bacterial metabolism. Ultimately the material will demonstrate a variety of interactions between microorganisms and their various environments. Included will be general and unique pathways for catabolism, biosysnthesis and energy production in bacteria. Biological processes occurring in the environment, both in solid and liquid phase, aerobic and anaerobic conditions will be presented. In addition, taditional and advanced methods of recovering, detecting and identifying microorganisms from environment will be included. Prerequisites: Undergraduate organic chemistry, biochemistry or microbiology; permission of instructor.
Ehs 619 (Epi 609, Ant 609) Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology (3)
An overview of epidemiologic methods commonly employed for the study of reproductive and perinatal endpoints including pertinent physiological mechanisms of pregnancy and fetal growth critical to understanding the relevant epidemiologic methods and the unique nature of the circumstances surrounding human reproduction. Prerequisites: Epi 501, Sta 552.
Ehs 621 Chromatographic Methods (3)
Introduction to the theory of chromatography followed by an in-depth discussion of the practical applications of chromatographic systems in environmental chemistry. Prerequisites: Undergraduate courses in organic chemistry and physical chemistry.
Study of the Principles, Techniques and Applications of Mass Spectrometry. Introduction to modern techniques of ionization, mass analysis, and ion detection, with emphasis on interpretation of spectra, application of mass spectrometry to environmental problems and current research topics. Prerequisite: Ehs 520 or Ehs 530.
Ehs 623 Inorganic Analysis (3)
Chemical analysis of inorganic materials in the environment. Includes principles of qualitative and quantitative analysis, and the more widely physico-chemical methods; atomic and molecular spectrometry, X-ray spectrometry and radiometric electroanalytical methods. Prerequisite(s): 12 hours of chemistry courses or instructor's permission.
Ehs 624 Advanced Environmental Chemistry (3)
Studies of regional and global pollution. Processes determining concentration of atmospheric pollutants, residence times, global transport and dispersion, chemical and radioactive tracers, methods of resolving regional pollution sources. Prerequisite: Ehs 623.
Ehs 626 Reproductive Environmental Health (3)
This course will review the impact of exposures to various classes of environmental pollutants on human reproduction throughout the life course including, fecundity and fertility, pregnancy, infant and child development, and adult reproductive health. This course combines a “traditional” didactic format with weekly student-led discussions of the literature. Prerequisites: Ehs 590, Epi 500 or Epi 501, Bms 505 or equivalent.
Ehs 627 Chemodynamics in Environmental and Engineered Systems (3)
Physical-chemical and mathematical models for partitioning of organics between phases in equilibrium, and for kinetics of their mass transport. Representative aquatic systems: lakes and reservoirs; aquifers; rivers; contact basins for potable water and municipal wastewater treatment; and distribution systems. Prerequisites: Chm 340A, B (one year physical chemistry); Chm 511B or equivalent programming experience; Ehs 520; one year calculus; consent of instructor.
Ehs 629 (Sph 629) Protocol Development and Grant Writing (3)
This course will teach methods for developing research grant proposals in the population sciences. Exposure and outcome assessment, study designs and bias will be discussed in-depth. Application of these methods will be evaluated through written critiques of the peer-reviewed literature, in-class discussions and the preparation of a grant proposal.
Ehs 630 (Bms 622) Cancer Biology (3)
This course will introduce second year students to the complexity of cancer as a disease. It will focus on the basic molecular cell biology mechanisms that underlie the origin and progression of cancer, the epidemiological aspects and the principles of clinical management of the disease. Prerequisites: Basic undergraduate biology; Bms 500 and Bms 500B or equivalents; or permission of instructor.
Ehs 632 Atmospheric Environment and Human Welfare (3)
The course introduces and surveys the sources, dissemination, environmental modification, human exposure, susceptibility, and control issues related to global and local air pollution issues.
Ehs 640 Advanced Nuclear Science and Applications (3)
Nuclear reactions and their applications to origin of elements, synthesis of actinide elements, and nuclear techniques in chemical analysis. Elemental composition of earth. Sources, distribution, and transport of radioactivity in the environment including natural U and Th radioactive- decay series and anthropogenic contribution. Radioactive waste disposal. Prerequisite(s): Introductory course in nuclear or radiological science such as Ehs 540, Ehs 541 or equivalent. Alternatively, consent of instructor will be required.
Ehs 658 (Bms 658) Modern Scanning Electron Microscopy (3)
An advanced course designed to introduce theoretical and practical aspects of operating state-of-the-art scanning electron microscopes. Topics will include sample preparation, secondary, backscatter and other electron imaging modes, X-ray microanalysis and element mapping and image interpretation. Prerequisites: Bms 500, Ehs 590, or permission of instructor.
Introduces the science that is used in assessing human health risks from chemical exposures. It includes: (a) hazard identification; (b) dose- response assessment; (c) exposure assessment; (d) risk characterization; and (e) risk communication. Imparts analytical skills that students can use in developing, interpreting, and understanding risk assessment for individual chemical or specific contamination incidents involving human exposure. Prerequisites: Ehs 530 and Epi 501.
Ehs 675 (Bms 670) Responsible Conduct of Science (1)
This is course will explore specific areas of the conduct of research. Aspects of recognition of scientific fraud, peer interaction, and reporting of misconduct will be covered. Bioethical issues will not be covered. A specific issue concerning scientific conduct will be presented at each class through case study and student-led discussion.
Ehs 688 Topics in Pharmacogenetics & Toxicogenomics (3)
Discussions on the basic concepts and current research in the fields of pharmacogenetics and toxicogenomics. The students will learn from real research examples, the techniques used, the approaches to data analysis, and the practical applications in pharmacology and toxicology.
Ehs 690 Laboratory Rotations in Environmental Health and Toxicology (3)
Supervised investigations/research in an area of environmental health including environmental chemistry and toxicology. Paper required. Prerequisite: Permission of department chair.
Ehs 694 Directed Readings in Environmental Health and Toxicology (2-6)
Projects in selected areas of environmental health and toxicology studies on the graduate level, under supervision of a faculty member, with regular progress reports. May be repeated once when topics differ for a total of 6 hours. Prerequisite: Consent of department chair.
Ehs 697 Independent Study and Research (2-6)
Projects in selected areas of environmental health and toxicology studies on the graduate level, under supervision of a faculty member, with regular progress reports. May be repeated once when topics differ for a total of 6 hours. Prerequisite: Consent of department chair.
Ehs 699 Thesis Research (1-12)
Required of all M.S. students. Prerequisite: Consent of advisor.
Ehs 715 Alcohol: Toxicity, Teratology and Addiction (3)
Analysis of the cellular and biochemical mechanisms underlying ethanol's effects on brain function will be made using the current literature. The course will discuss the selectivity of ethanol's effects, roles of metabolism and changes in energy metabolism, and fetal alcohol syndrome. Prerequisite: Graduate student standing and consent of the instructor.
Ehs 730 Hazardous Material Management (3)
Production, use and disposal of hazardous materials. Discussion of health effects, monitoring regulatory standards, and control techniques for each of these phases in the life of the materials. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Ehs 780 Current Literature in Environmental Health and Toxicology (1)
This course is designed to teach and promote critical reading of the literature. Areas from which articles will be selected include environmental chemistry, toxicology, pollution by chemicals and/or organisms, effects of the environment on the health of individuals or communities, and measurement of environmental variables.
Ehs 790 Seminars in Environmental Health Sciences (0-1)
The course is required for MS and PhD students in Environmental Health Sciences. The overarching goal of this course is to expose students to critical issues in public health with a broad introduction to public health. Students can formally enroll in this course a maximum of three times.
Ehs 820 Topics in Environmental Chemistry (3)
Discussions of such topics of current concern as: formation of chlorinated dibenzo-dioxins and related compounds and their analysis in environmental samples, origins and control of acid precipitation, pathways for the movement of organic pollutants in the environment. Prerequisite: One undergraduate course in chemistry.
Ehs 830 Topics in Neurotoxicology (2)
Targets and modes of action of selected neurotoxic agents examined with emphasis on critical evaluation of current scientific literature and government reports and documents. Prerequisite: A course in neuroscience or consent of instructor.
Ehs 831 Topics in Metabolism and Disposition of Xenobiotics (1-4)
Studies of the role of metabolism and disposition in the detoxification and toxification of xenobiotics. Emphasis placed on the reading and criticism of research papers involving the hepatic mixed-function oxidase system. Prerequisites: Chm 540A, Ehs 530.
Ehs 832 Topics in Measurement of Toxic Effects on the Human Central Nervous System (2)
Introduction to electrophysiological and neurochemical techniques of assessing human central nervous system function. Emphasis on alterations in function caused by toxic substances, and by genetic and metabolic diseases. Review and research papers used to identify areas of concern and current techniques for quantifying functional defects.
Fundamentals and principles of immunotoxicology. Critical review of the function of the lymphoid system, humoral factors and its cellular components and current methodology used to evaluate immune alterations caused by xenobiotics. Presentation of specific mechanisms involved in the expression of immunotoxicity.
Ehs 834 Topics in Genetic Toxicology (1)
Introduction to fundamentals and test strategies of genetic toxicology and its applications to product testing, environmental monitoring and regulation. Survey of specific assays, including in vitro microbial and mammalian mutation assays, in vitro transformation assays, unscheduled DNA synthesis, and assays to measure chromosome damage. Prerequisite: Chm 540A.
Ehs 894 Directed Readings in Environmental Health and Toxicology (3-6)
Projects in selected areas of environmental health and toxicology studies for doctoral students, under the supervision of a faculty member, with regular progress reports. May be repeated once when topics differ for a total of 6 hours. Prerequisite: Consent of department chair.
Ehs 897 Independent Study and Research (1-6)
Projects in selected areas of environmental health and toxicology studies for doctoral students, under the supervision of a faculty member, with regular progress reports. May be repeated once when topics differ for a total of 6 credits.
Ehs 898 Laboratory Research (3-12)
Available for all Ph.D. students engaged in research leading to the dissertation, prior to admission to candidacy. Prerequisite: Permission of advisor.
Ehs 899 Dissertation Research (1-12)
Required of all Ph.D. students. Prerequisite: Consent of advisor. Registration for this course is limited to doctoral students who have been admitted to candidacy.
