PubH 6132 Air, Water and
Health
Course Syllabus
In this course we will explore the issues related to providing adequate levels of clean air and water. Specific issues include local water quantity and quality and local air quality in both the developed and developing world, as well as global air and water quality, and policies meant to protect these resources.
By taking this course you will be able to incorporate air and water pollution and water supply into your scientific investigation of environmental health. A basic understanding of all the topics, and specialized knowledge in one or more particular areas will be mastered. Objectives: 1. Understand the basic components of a water treatment system; 2. Understand the basic components of a wastewater treatment system; 3. Be able to list common hazards in drinking water from both the developed and developing world; 4. Be able to identify the important air pollution issues on the local scale in both developing and developed world and on the global scale; 5. Be able to identify and discuss the merits of existing and proposed legislation and/or international treaties concerning water quantity and quality and air pollution.
Readings will be given prior to each lecture and a quiz will be given on the material from the readingsEach lecture will be designed to be a mixture of lecture and discussion. Be prepared. If you have no questions for me, I am certain to have some for you. This is the only way outside of exams that I have to evaluate my teaching and your learning.
Grading Criteria - Quizes: 30%; Exam I: 20%; Exam II 20%; Exam III: 20%; Class Participation: 10%. The quizzes will be at the beginning of class and cover the readings for the day. The exams are non-cumulative, and are evenly weighted. Class participation includes attendance, asking and answering questions and contributing to discussions. The assignment of grades will be as follows: A = 95-100; A- = 90-94; B+ = 87-89; B = 83-86; B- = 80-82; C+ = 77-79; C = 73-76; C- = 70-72; No pass below 70.
1. Grading Option (if applicable) – Students may change grading options during the initial registration period or during the first two weeks of the term. The grading option may not be changed after the second week of the term.
2. Course Incomplete – An incomplete grade is permitted only in cases of exceptional circumstances and following consultation with the instructor. In such cases an “I” grade will require a specific written agreement between the instructor and the student specifying the time and manner in which the student will complete the course requirements. Extension for completion of the work will not exceed one year.
3. Scholastic Dishonesty – Scholastic dishonesty is a violation of the student conduct code and is defined as “any act that violates the rights of another student in academic work or that involves misrepresentation of your own work. Scholastic dishonesty includes (but is not limited to): cheating on assignments or examinations; plagiarizing, which means misrepresenting as your own work any part of work done by another; submitting the same paper, or substantially similar papers, to meet the requirements of more than one course without the approval and consent of all instructors involved; depriving another student of necessary course materials; or interfering with another student’s work.” Scholastic dishonesty in any portion of the academic work for a course shall be grounds for awarding a grade of “F” or “N” for the entire course. Please consult the student conduct code at: <http://www.umn.edu/regents/policies/academic/StudentConduct.html>.
V. Course
Withdrawal
· The student must contact and notify their advisor and course instructor informing them of the decision to withdraw from the course.
· The student must send an e-mail to the SPH Student Services Center (SSC). The email must provide the student name, ID#, course number, section number, semester and year with instructions to withdraw the student from the course, and acknowledgement that the instructor and advisor have been contacted.
· The advisor and instructor must email the SSC acknowledging the student is canceling the course. All parties must be notified of the student’s intent.
· The SSC will complete the process by withdrawing the student from the course after receiving all emails (student, advisor, and instructor). A “W” will be placed and remain on the student transcript for the course.
· After discussion with their advisor and notification to the instructor, students may withdraw up until the eighth week of the semester. There is no appeal process.
Water Follies: Groundwater Pumping and the Fate of America's Fresh Waters, Glennon; Gasp! The Swift and Terrible Beauty of Air, Sherman
Course Outline: WATER Basic Hydrology Water Quantity Water needs/use Water Sources Water supply Water Conflicts Water Quality Microbiology Chemicals Water treatment Wastewater treatment AIR Structure of the Atmosphere History of Air Pollution Urban Air Pollution Photochemical smog Ground level ozone Particles Indoor Air Pollution Radon Carbon Monoxide Particles Health Effects of Air Pollutants Human Health Welfare Global Issues Global Warming Trans-continental Transport of Pollutants
Any student with a
documented disability (e.g., physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing,
etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the
instructor and Disability Services at the beginning of the semester. All
discussions will remain confidential. For further information contact the