Environmental Health and Disease

Humans live, work, and play in complex chemical environments. BIOL1820 examines how environmental exposures impact health and contribute to disease. We will discuss contamination in the context of colonialism and capitalism as well as critically assess the ways society shapes science as a discipline. The course covers basic concepts in toxicology, physiology, and molecular biology and is divided into 6 units. The first unit, Science, Society, and Scientific Funding, will introduce you to the main themes of the course. The remainder of the course will be divided into the following units: radiation, lead, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), endocrine disruptors, and emerging environmental concerns. For each unit, students will learn how contamination affects different communities and examine the biological systems impacted by contaminant exposure. BIOL1820 is designed for third and forth year undergraduates, and is open to others with permission.