Environmental Health I (AUVMK_004)
About Study Course
Objective
The aim of the study course is to learn the theoretical foundations of environmental health and practical methods of the importance of the air environment, pollution, adverse and harmful factors, their impact on health, identification, assessment, control, prevention or reduction thereof.
Prerequisites
Prior knowledge in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, microbiology, physiology is required.
Learning outcomes
As a result of completing the study course, students are able to do the following:
• describe the importance of environmental health, principles, directions, tasks thereof;
• describe indoor air microclimate parameters, indoor CO2 level as an indicator of air quality, types of ventilation and ventilation efficiency assessment techniques, lighting indicators;
• name the levels of microclimate, indoor CO2 level, air volume, lighting indicators, which are determined by legislation or recommended in guidelines;
• name the physical environmental factors of air, sources thereof, examples in the environment, possible impact on human health;
• name the thermoregulation mechanisms of the human body depending on environmental conditions;
• name the basic principles of environmental health policy and their importance in reducing chemical pollution;
• describe air as an ecological component of the environment, name examples of pollution and preventive measures to reduce pollution;
• describe analytical methods for determining chemical air pollution;
• refer to the environmental air quality standards and guidelines of Latvia and the European Union according to the topics to be learned in the classes.
As a result of completing the study course, the student obtains skills to:
• independently, critically analyse, apply ecological reasoning to justify one’s opinion and evaluate environmental health as a preventive branch of environmental science and medicine in preserving and strengthening human health;
• determine and evaluate indicators of microclimate, CO2 level, ventilation efficiency, natural and artificial lighting, provide recommendations for improving conditions;
• determine the main thermoregulation mechanisms of the human body depending on environmental conditions;
• practically operate analytical equipment and perform analytical calculations in the determination of chemical substances in the air environment;
• evaluate environmental policy measures and implement them to improve public health;
• present one’s opinion on the problems of physical and chemical air pollution in Latvia and the world.
The acquired competence allows to:
• see the connection between the state of human health and the conditions of the surrounding environment;
• apply knowledge of the basics of argumentation, logic and rhetoric to analyse practical situations;
• develop recommendations, measures to prevent or reduce harmful environmental risk factors, ensuring optimal interaction between the human body and the environment;
• take responsibility and demonstrate leadership skills in cases where the interests of environmental safety, individuals or the society as a whole require it;
• apply knowledge and skills in solving environmental health problems in one’s professional activities.
Study course planning
| Study programme | Study semester | Program level | Study course category | Lecturers | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Health, SVF | 3 | Bachelor’s | Required | Darja Kaļužnaja, Aneka Kļaviņa, Jeļena Reste, Žanna Martinsone, Ivars Vanadziņš |
| Study programme | Study semester | Program level | Study course category | Lecturers | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Health, SVF | 4 | Bachelor’s | Required | Aneka Kļaviņa, Darja Kaļužnaja |
