Environmental Epidemiology

This course introduces students to epidemiologic investigations of environmental health problems, a fundamental tool for building a sustainable and healthy future. Topics include perennial subjects such as the health effects associated with air and water contaminants and occupational exposure, as well as newer issues such as endocrine and metabolic disruptors, PFAS "forever chemicals," chemicals in consumer products, and exposure to mixtures of compounds. The course emphasizes epidemiologic methods, particularly exposure assessment, confounding, and sources of bias. Students gain experience in the critical review and design of related epidemiologic studies and the application of epidemiologic analysis methods to environmental health research questions and data. This course is appropriate for both students in environmental health and students in epidemiology and other disciplines interested in learning about applications of epidemiological methods to environmental exposures.