This course examines the fundamental concepts in environmental health, health needs assessment, and environmental risk assessment and management. This will include a range of environmental risks, including water and food quality, sanitation, air quality, occupational health, environmental toxicology and the built environment. This course will also examine the pathways through which climate change is likely to influence human health. These include the likely health effects of rising ambient temperatures, shifting patterns of vector-borne and food-borne diseases, physical and mental health risks of extreme weather events, potential food and water insecurity, occupational health risks, and the likely impacts of climate change on health equity, vulnerability and resilience.

This course will provide an introduction to research methodologies used to examine the relationships between environment and health, and examine the determinants and management of health protection. The emphasis will be on understanding the literature linking environment to health, the assessment of health risks and benefits associated with environmental factors, and the evaluation of frameworks designed to protect public health, including the risks and benefits associated with current and future climate change.    

 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand environmental risks to population health.
2. Apply an environmental health risk assessment framework and identify the sources of uncertainty in the assessment.
3. Analyse the direct and indirect pathways through which environmental change can impact population health.
4. Evaluate an environmental health risk of global importance.
5. Create a communication and consultation plan for an environmental health risk.

Recommended Resources

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/learning-platforms/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Verbal comments
• Written comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Current State of Environment, Climate Change and Human Health in Australia
2	Introduction to Environmental Epidemiology - Risk Assessment for Environmental Hazards
3	Introduction to Environmental Epidemiology - Risk Communication for Environmental Health	Assessment Task - Forum Post 1
4	Air Pollution - Ambient
5	Air Pollution - Indoor	Assessment Task - Forum Post 2
6	Extreme Weather Events - Temperature	Assessment Task - Quiz
7	Extreme Weather Events - Rainfall	Assessment Task - Risk Assessment Essay
8	Environmental Health Surveillance
9	One Health	Assessment Task - Forum Post 3
10	Climate Change and Health - Mitigation and Adaptation in Australia
11	Climate Change and Health - Social Psychology of Climate Change
12	Climate Change and Health - Clinician Advocacy for Climate Change	Assessment Task - Risk Communication Essay

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Online Quiz	5 %	27/03/2024	15/04/2024	1,2,3,4
Risk Assessment Essay	30 %	15/04/2024	30/04/2024	2,3,4
Risk Assessment Oral Presentation (Peer Teaching)	10 %	06/05/2024	*	2,4
Risk Communcation Essay	20 %	24/05/2024	*	4,5
Forum Posts	30 %	*	*	1,2,3,5
Tutorial Participation	5 %	22/05/2024	*	1,2,3,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students will need to participate in tutorials and contribute to group discussions. The tutorial activities will vary week by week and participation will include collaborating on interpretation or assessment of articles on environmental health topics, analysis and interpretation of data, group presentations or other activities as appropriate for that week's material. The course has been designed to maximise participation and interaction with peers and lecturers, and active engagement with course materials.

Assessment Task 1

Online Quiz

The Online Quiz contributes 5% of the total mark for the POPH8318 course. The assessment is self-paced throughout the first half of Semester 1 based on the teaching content from Weeks 1-5 of Semester 1. There is a combination of Multiple Choice and Short Answer (150-200 word) questions. The Online Quiz will open following the first teaching week (Week 1) and close on Wednesday 27th March 2024, 5:00pm (Wednesday of Week 6). During this time, you are able to modify answers to all questions and there is no limit to the number of attempts for any question.

Assessment Task 2

Risk Assessment Essay

The Risk Assessment Essay contributes 30% of the total mark for the course. The Essay will open following the first teaching week (Week 1) and close on Monday 15th April 2024, 5:00pm (Monday of Week 7) before the start of teaching for Week 7. Teaching material that is linked to the Risk Assessment Essay will be delivered in Weeks 1-3. The Risk Assessment Essay has a limit of 2500 words. Grading and feedback for the Essay will be returned on Tuesday 30th April 2024, 5:00pm (Tuesday of Week 9).

Assessment Task 3

Risk Assessment Oral Presentation (Peer Teaching)

The Risk Assessment Oral Presentation (Peer Teaching) contributes to 10% of the total mark for the course. It has a time allocation of 15-minutes, including a 10-minute presentation and 5-minute facilitated group discussion. An online repository to upload the 10-minute presentation component will open in Week 7 and is close on Monday 6th May 2024, 5:00pm (Monday Week 10) before the start of teaching for Week 10. In Weeks 10-12, students will be allocated Peer Teaching groups, which will include viewing the 10-minute presentation component (via online repository) followed by the 5-minute facilitated group discussion (in-person or via Zoom). IMPORTANT: There is no additional research required for this assessment task. The Risk Assessment Oral Presentation (Peer Teaching) should use the information from the Risk Assessment Essay, presented in a lay language for Peer Teaching. Grading and feedback for the Risk Assessment Oral Presentation (Peer Teaching) will be returned at the end of Semester 1 due to the delivery of Peer Teaching in Weeks 10-12.

Assessment Task 4

Risk Communcation Essay

The Risk Communication Essay contributes 20% of the total mark for the course. The Essay will open following the second half of Semester 1 (Week 7) and close on Friday 24th May 2024, 5:00pm (Friday of Week 12) at the end of teaching for Semester 1. Teaching material that is linked to the Risk Communication Essay will be delivered in Weeks 1-3. The Risk Communication Essay has a limit of 1500 words. IMPORTANT: The Risk Communication Essay will be based on the same topic chosen for the Risk Assessment Essay. Grading and feedback for the Risk Communication Essay will be returned at the end of Semester 1.

Assessment Task 5

Forum Posts

The Online Discussion Forum Posts contributes to 30% of the total mark for the POPH8318 course. The assessment is paced throughout Semester 1 based on the teaching content from Weeks 1-8. There are three Online Discussion Forum Posts throughout Semester 1, which each contributes to 10% of the total mark for the POPH8318 course. Each Online Discussion Forum Post has a limit of 500 words (with at least 5 references). There will be a choice of three questions to answer for Online Discussion Forum Post. Students will be able to view other students' responses to the Online Discussion Forum Posts following submission of the Assessment, to facilitate learning from teaching content throughout Semester 1.

Online Discussion Forum Post 1 will open following the first teaching week (Week 1) and close on Wednesday 6th March 2024, 5:00pm (Wednesday of Week 3). Online Discussion Forum Post 1 will be based on teaching content from Weeks 1-2. Grading and feedback for Online Discussion Forum Post 1 will be returned on Wednesday 13th March 2024 (Wednesday of Week 4).

Online Discussion Forum Post 2 will open following the third teaching week (Week 3) and close on Wednesday 20th March 2024, 5:00pm (Wednesday of Week 5). Online Discussion Forum Post 2 will be based on teaching content from Weeks 3-4. Grading and feedback for Online Discussion Forum Post 2 will be returned on Wednesday 27th March 2024 (Wednesday of Week 6).

Online Discussion Forum Post 3 will open following the sixth teaching week (Week 6) and close on Wednesday 1st May 2024, 5:00pm (Wednesday of Week 9). Online Discussion Forum Post 3 will be based on teaching content from Weeks 6-8. Grading and feedback for Online Discussion Forum Post 3 will be returned on Wednesday 8th May 2024 (Wednesday of Week 10).

Assessment Task 6

Tutorial Participation

Tutorial Participation contributes to 5% of the total mark for the POPH8318 course. Tutorial Participation will vary each week. Participation may include collaborating on interpretation or assessment of articles on environmental health topics, analysis and interpretation of data, group presentations or other activities as appropriate for course materials. The purpose of the Tutorial Participation is to develop problem-solving, health data comprehension, and discussion skills in a group setting. Tutorial Participation will take place through online platforms such as Zoom.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) a submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned via WATTLE.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assignments will be at the discretion of the course convenor in consultation with the Associate Director (Education).

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students