Environmental Science and Population Health

Module title	Environmental Science and Population Health
Module code	HPDM030Z
Academic year	2025/6
Credits	15
Module staff	Professor Ben Wheeler (Lecturer)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		9

Number students taking module (anticipated)	30

Module description

Environmental science utilises scientific methods to understand the complexities of the environment and its relationships with mankind. This module focuses on aspects of contemporary environmental science with specific relevance to human and population health, such as air pollution, water management and mining activity. Critical knowledge/skills will be contextualised by current understanding of climate change health impacts.

No pre-requisites or specialist knowledge are required to undertake this module, which is well suited to interdisciplinary learning. Delivery is via expert-led small group learning, interspersed by personal study undertaken at your own pace and supported by our internet resources.

This module is hybrid – there will be in-person in-class teaching with the option to join in online.

Module aims - intentions of the module

By undertaking this module you will develop a detailed understanding of the principles and practice of contemporary environmental sciences within the context of global environmental change. Methods of current best practice designed to achieve environmental change for positive human health outcomes will be explored.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Explain in detail, utilising pertinent contemporary environmental science examples, the complex relationship between human health and the environment
2. Demonstrate a thorough critical understanding of how human and population health can be impacted by environmental change

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

3. Critically evaluate and communicate the applied implications of cutting-edge environmental science research evidence

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

4. Evidence a critical approach to evidence synthesis and presentation of the evidence to a general audience

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:

Environmental exposure science and key concerns in environment and human/population health

Concepts in environmental resource measurement, management and control

Media pollution (air, water, land) and risks to human and environmental health

Aspects of environmental remediation

Climate change and its relationship with human health

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
20	130	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning & teaching activities	20	All student taught sessions, including lectures, workshops and small group discussions, and Q&A sessions in tutorials and seminars.
Guided independent study	30	Session preparation and follow up work utilising resources provided on ELE including asynchronous structured materials (such as short pre-recorded lectures, podcasts, asynchronous workshop activities, discussion forum posts and so on)
Guided independent study	100	Reading and assignment preparation

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Class discussions and small group work activities	Each taught session	1,2,3,4	Facilitator and peer feedback in class synchronous or asynchronous online discussion.
Poster elevator pitch	Structured outline (500 words) plus 3 minutes presentation + 2 mins Q&A	3,4	Peer feedback in classsynchronous online discussion + written feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Abstract and Poster	100	250 word abstract and A2 poster	1,2,3,4	Written
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Abstract and Poster (100%)	Abstract and Poster (250 word abstract and A2 poster)	1,2,3,4	Typically within six weeks of the result

Re-assessment notes

Please refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

COMEAP. (2010). The Mortality Effects of Long-Term Exposure to Particulate Air Pollution in the United Kingdom

Carson R. (1962). Silent Spring. New York: Houghton Mifflin.

Landon M. (2006). Environment, Health and Sustainable Development. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Gray I, Flowers R and Lewis T. (2009). Environmental Health Practice. Devon: Reflective Press Ltd.

Griffiths J, Rao M, Adshead F and Thorpe A. (2009). The Health Practitioners Guide to Climate Change: Diagnosis and Cure. London: Earthscan.

Hill M. (2010). Understanding Environmental Pollution, 3rd Edition. Cambridge: University Press

O'Riordan T. (1999). Environmental Science for Environmental Management, 2nd edition, Harlow: Longman.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Web based and electronic resources are available on the module ELE pages.

Key words search

Human health, population health, environmental science, environment, climate change, environmental change, air pollution, water, mining.

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	7
Available as distance learning?	Yes
Origin date	15/12/2015
Last revision date	26/04/2022