Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- Herston
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Herston
- Coordinating unit
- Public Health School
This course is an exciting exploration of how the physical environment can protect or damage human health. Students will explore real-life current issues associated with safe drinking water, clean air and functional housing at a community level. They will build their understanding of the range of environmental health issues at a global, regional and local level- from climate change to urban green space. They will graduate from the course with a clear understanding of key terminology and a familiarity with the tools to reduce hazards, exposure and vulnerability to environmental health risks that can be applied in any position with an environmental health dimension.
This course will introduce students to the different ways the environment influences health and disease. Environmental influences are an important contibutor to global disease burden, and are a key facet of public health that is relevant to all health professionals and people interested in the interface between the envrionment and health.
This course starts by providing students with a broad understanding of the field, and introduces concepts such as risk, exposure, hazards, communication, environmental epidemiology, environmental toxicology, and social determinants of environmental health. These concepts are built on through the introduction of key aspects of environmental health, such as air, water, waste, food and climate change. The course considers environmental health at a local, regional and global scale, and uses examples and case studies to help students understand the relevance of these concepts to the 'realᅠworld'. After completion of this course, students will have a strong understanding of environmental health, how its concepts relate to their own fields, and how environmental health is a core aspect to deliver public health.
Course requirements
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
PUBH7287
Jointly taught details
This course is jointly-taught with:
- Another instance of the same course
This course is taught concurrently for both internally and externally enrolled students. The blended delivery format is designed to provide a range of ways for all students to interact and participate.
Course contact
Course coordinator
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
To cater for the range of circumstances of student availability, this course uses a blended delivery format.
Lectures: All lectures are live online (and recorded) every Tuesday from 2-4pm on zoom: https://uqz.zoom.us/j/81637996524. The recordings will be uploaded to Echo360 here on Blackboard.
Tutorials: Two identical tutorials will be offered following the calendar below: one in person at Herston and one online in the evening using zoom
Aims and outcomes
To completeᅠthis courseᅠyou must demonstrate to have acquired knowledge of, understand, as well as apply the basic concepts of environmental health.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate an understanding of the major biological, chemical, and physical hazards associated with human exposure to the environment and the likely impact of environment and climate change on the risks and outcomes of these hazards.
LO2.
Understand current prevention and control strategies for major environmental hazards.
LO3.
Understand the role of health risk assessment in the identification and management of environmental health issues.
LO4.
Investigate how environmental health fits into the scope of public health practice.
LO5.
Critically reflect how the social, political, economic, and institutional context of society influences environmental health and our capacity to respond to environmental hazards.
LO6.
Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills, and skills in group work including collaboration, teamwork, self-reflection, and group negotiation
Assessment
Assessment summary
Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
---|---|---|---|
Quiz, Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Computer-based assessment
|
25% |
8/08/2024 11:20 pm 5/09/2024 2:00 pm 19/09/2024 2:00 pm 10/10/2024 2:00 pm |
Practical/ Demonstration, Translation/ Interpretation, Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Health Risk Assessment
|
30% |
20/09/2024 2:00 pm
Week 9 |
Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique |
Case analysis of environmental health interventions
|
45% |
25/10/2024 2:00 pm
Week 13 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Computer-based assessment
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz, Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
8/08/2024 11:20 pm
5/09/2024 2:00 pm
19/09/2024 2:00 pm
10/10/2024 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L04, L06
Task description
Three computer-based assessments will be delivered using a blend of multiple choice and/or short answer questions.
These are delivered in:
- Week 3: Task 1a (10%)
- Week 7: Task 1b (5%)
- Week 9: Task 1c (5%)
- Week 11: Task 1d (5%)
These are non-hurdle (non-mandatory) tasks, but students are encouraged to complete them to strengthen their learning and maximise their grades.
Refer to the task sheet for Assessment Task 1 on Blackboard for further details.
Submission guidelines
The computer-based assessment will be delivered thorugh the Quiz portal on Blackboard. Refer to the tasksheet on Blackboard for specific details of content covered and time provided.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Please refer to the Policies and guidelines
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Health Risk Assessment
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration, Translation/ Interpretation, Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
20/09/2024 2:00 pm
Week 9
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L06
Task description
This assessment requires you to conduct a health risk assessment (HRA) to evaluate the risk of adverse health effects associated with exposure to specific chemical contamination in one of the provided scenarios. You will draw on the knowledge of risk assessment and risk communication to complete the tasks. Refer to the tasksheet on Blackboard for details.
To support students, there will dedicated and relevant content provided during tutorials. In additional, two drop-in sessions to support students will be provided. Check Blackboard and weekly emails for details of the drop-in online support sessions.
Hurdle requirements
This is a mandatory hurdle assessment. A good effort of the assessment must be completed to pass this course.Submission guidelines
Submit through Turnitin in Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Please refer to the Policies and guidelines
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Case analysis of environmental health interventions
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 45%
- Due date
25/10/2024 2:00 pm
Week 13
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Consider the four case study levels and the four implementation topics taught in Modules 2 and 3. Write a critical analysis of TWO environmental health interventions. For details, see the tasksheet on Blackboard.
Hurdle requirements
This is a mandatory hurdle assessment. A good effort of the assessment must be completed to pass this course.Submission guidelines
Submit through Turnitin on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Please refer to the Policies and guidelines
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
Grade | Description |
---|---|
1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: (typically 0 - 19%) |
2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: (typically 20 - 44%) |
3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: (typically 45- 49%) |
4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: (typically 50 - 64%) |
5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: (typically 65 - 74%) |
6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: (typically 75 - 84%) |
7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: (typically 85 - 100%) |
Additional course grading information
Please note that in order to pass this course, each student must complete and submit at least a good effort for the mandatory assessment tasks 2 and 3. Tasks 1a-e (in-tutorial quizzes) are not mandatory. ᅠ
Supplementary assessment: The final grade awarded will be based on the results of the supplementary assessment only, and a passing grade will be awarded if, and only if, the student receives at least 50% of the marks on the supplementary assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
The course's Learning Objectives are covered across the four assessment task. ᅠ
Please note that in order to pass this course, each student must complete and submit at least a good effort for the mandatory assessment tasks 2 and 3. Tasks 1a-e (in-tutorial quizzes) are not mandatory.ᅠᅠ
ᅠ
PLEASE NOTE: Extensions are NOT TO BE requested frivolously. Extensions are for exceptional circumstances and will therefore be considered as such. Extensions must be applied for BEFORE the due date and must include all the required documentation.
ᅠ
RE-MARKING OF WORK: Students can request a re-mark if they feel they have valid reasons for disputing an awarded mark. The University has a prescribed process for remarking.
The student must first review their marks and feedback carefully. Then, they should contact and discuss the outcome with the Course Coordinator.
If the issue is not resolved, then complete a Request for Assessment Re-Marking, outlining their case. If a re-mark is approved, in all cases, the re-mark replaces the original mark, which could lead to the marks and/or final grade going up, down, or remaining the same.
ᅠ
Assignment Submission:
Turnitin no longer automatically emails students a receipt when they upload an assignment.ᅠ Students need to download their receipt manually and keep a copy as proof of submission.ᅠ ᅠ
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and/or using Tunitin.ᅠ
Before submitted any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ’sᅠcompulsory onlineᅠAcademic Integrity Tutorial.
When you successfully submit your assessment, you need to manually download your receipt and keep a copy as proof of submission as Turnitin no longer automatically emails students a receipt when an assignment is uploaded.ᅠ ᅠ
It is the responsibility of the student to check the assignment preview and confirm that the assignment has been successfully submitted.ᅠᅠ
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot)
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again
- If you cannot submit again, immediately email your course coordinator.ᅠ
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
STUDY GUIDE AND MORE ON RESOURCES
- Students will find that PUBH7027 on Blackboard is set up like an electronic study guide. We do not provide a paper copy format of study guide
- We record every lecture. Recordings will be posted shortly following the live lectures on a Wednesday. On rare occasions, technical difficulties may cause an unavoidable delay on posting the lecture recordings.
- Some recordings of earlier lectures (from previous semesters) may also be posted where appropriate.
- This course has some readings (see above) which are required and some which are recommended - these are clearly indicated in Blackboard.
- While we will not use all the material in the textbook, it is still a very handy reference to have in your career ahead should you want to refer to Environmental Health issues in future.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
---|---|---|
Week 1 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Lecture |
Introduction to Environmental Health Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 2 (29 Jul - 04 Aug) |
Lecture |
Foundational Concepts in Environmental Health Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 3 (05 Aug - 11 Aug) |
Lecture |
Environmental Epidemiology Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial #1 Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
Lecture |
Environmental Health Risk Assessment Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Lecture |
Risk Communication and Risk Management Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial #2 Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Lecture |
Planetary case study: Planetary Health meets Environmental Health Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial #3 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Week 7 (02 Sep - 08 Sep) |
Lecture |
Global case study: Climate Change and Health Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial #4 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Week 8 (09 Sep - 15 Sep) |
Lecture |
Regional case study: Air Pollution and Health Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Lecture |
Local case study: Remote Communities and Healthy Living Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial #5 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Week 10 (30 Sep - 06 Oct) |
Lecture |
Implementation focus: Our water (drinking water, wastewater, environmental flows) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 11 (07 Oct - 13 Oct) |
Lecture |
Implementation focus: Our consumption (waster, recycling, sustainability, food chains) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial #6 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
|
Week 12 (14 Oct - 20 Oct) |
Lecture |
Implementation focus: Our homes (housing, green space, exposure) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 13 (21 Oct - 27 Oct) |
Lecture |
Implementation focus: Our power (fossil fuels, electricity) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
Drop-in support session for Task 3 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L06 |
Additional learning activity information
To cater for the range of circumstances of student availability, this course uses a blended delivery format.
Lectures: All lectures are live online (and recorded) every Tuesday from 2-4pm on zoom. The recordings will be uploaded to Echo360 on Blackboard. Refer to Blackboard for the zoom link.
Tutorials: Two identical tutorials will be offered in weeks 3,5,6,7,9,11,13: one in person at Herston and one online in the evening using zoom:
- The in-person tutorials will be held on Wednesdays at Herston campus in room 881-325 from 10-12noon.
- The online tutorials will be held on Wednesdays from 5-7pm on zoom. The recording will be uploaded to Echo360 on Blackboard. Refer to Blackboard for the zoom link.
Please register during your enrolment for a specific tutorial and then attend that timeslot for all tutorials.
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
Course guidelines
School of Public Health (SPH) Guidelines for late submission of progressive assessment - Preamble
To apply for an extension to the due date for a piece of progressive assessment (eg assignments, oral presentations and computer-based assignments) students should complete the online request at https://my.uq.edu.au/node/218/1
Information regarding deferral of in-semester exams and end-of-semester exams is available from https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/deferring-exam
If requesting an extension on medical grounds, a medical certificate must be provided. The extension will be approved for the number of days included in the medical certificate that the student was not fit to study or work, eg if the medical certificate is for 3 days, an extension will be approved for 3 days maximum regardless of the student's request.
If requesting an extension using a Student Access Plan for Disability (SAPD) as evidence, a maximum of 7-day extension will be approved in the first instance. Updated medical documentation, as well as a copy of the SAPD, is required if requesting an extension for more than 7 days.
The maximum time for an in-semester extension is four weeks.
The following SPH guidelines are consistent with the UQ policy. However, the SPH Guidelines contain specific rules and interpretations for SPH courses, and requests for extension and penalties for late submissions will be judged according to the guidelines outlined in this document. You should read both the information in your my.UQ at the following link: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-assessment-extension?p=1#1 and the SPH guidelines (below) before submitting a request for an extension. The SPH Guidelines apply to all courses offered by the School of Public Health unless the ECP explicitly states otherwise.
SPH Guidelines for late submission of progressive assessment
Initial extension for an individual item of assessment – the SPH Teaching & Assessment Support Team and/or the Course Coordinator decides.
This could be for medical or compassionate reasons, or if, in the opinion of the Course Coordinator, there are exceptional circumstances.
Acceptable and unacceptable reasons for an extension are listed at the following link, along with the required evidence to be provided: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-assessment-extension?p=1#1
All requests should be lodged at least 24 hours prior to the due date for the assessment.
If applying for an extension after the due date and time of the assessment item, your request may not be approved. An explanation as to why your request was not submitted prior must be included.
If approved, a new due date will be set. This would generally be no later than 7 days after the original due date, however this can be modified to take account of the circumstances of the request and the time that would have been lost from studies.
If the new due date is past the date for submission of end-of-semester results, the student will receive an INC (incomplete) result.
Second and all subsequent extensions for an individual item of assessment – the SPH Teaching & Assessment Support Team and/or the Program Director together with the Course Coordinator decides.
This would only be approved for exceptional circumstance with supporting documentation.
- Online requests must be made at least 24 hours prior to the due date from the first extension.
- The SPH Teaching & Assessment Support Team and/or the Course Coordinator will consult with the Program Director, who will make the final decision.
- If approved, the new due date would generally be no later than 7 days after the first extension due date.
- The Program Director should consider if remedial or other support should be offered to the student.
- The Program Director should provide a report on these matters as needed at SPH Examiners’ Meetings.
Please Note: In order to support course progression, extensions that total more than 14 calendar days from the original due date of an assessment item will only be approved in very exceptional circumstances. These requests are assessed and approved or denied on a case-by-case basis.
If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 14 days, we advise you to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty.
Penalty for late submission
Submission of assignments, practical reports, workbooks, and other types of written assessments after the due date specified in the Electronic Course Profile (ECP) will receive a penalty.
The penalty will be a deduction of 10% RELATIVE PERCENTAGE per day (24 hour period or part thereof, including weekends and public holidays) or for work graded on a 1-7 scale, a deduction of one grade per day, e.g If the original mark is 73%, then 10% relative percentage is 10% of this value, ie 7.3%, The final mark for this assessment item after applying the penalty for 1 day late submission would be 73 -7.3 = 65.7% The same outcome is achieved by multiplying the original score by .9; ie 73 x .9 = 65.7%
The penalty for multiple days late is the relative percentage multiplied by the number of days late.
A submission that is not made within 10 days of the due date will receive a mark of 0% for that assessment item.
Where a student has sought more than one extension, the due date for calculating the penalty will be the due date for the most recently approved extension.
Submission of Medical Certificates
Students are responsible for ensuring that any medical documentation they submit is authentic and signed by a registered medical practitioner. Such practitioners can be identified via the AHPRA website. Also note that:
- Not all online medical services are staffed by registered practitioners
- If the registration status of the practitioner cannot be verified, then an alternative practitioner should be sought
- Students will be held fully responsible for all documentation they submit, even if done so in ignorance of the practitioner's registration status
Medical documentation may be subjected to an audit by the University.
School of Public Health (SPH) Assessment Guidelines
The School of Public Health assessment tasks have been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. While students may us AI technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools.