Environmental Health BSc Honours

Course content

What will you study on the BSc Environmental Health?

Year 1 and Year 2 are focused on developing the essential knowledge, skills and theory in environmental health and the underpinning scientific principles. You will study a range of key subjects, which include housing, pollution, food safety, and occupational health and safety. In Year 3 there is focus on effective environmental and public health interventions and professional competence. You will undertake professional examinations and study for a dissertation in your chosen environmental health topic area.

What will you gain?

As well as gaining an in-depth knowledge of the subject, you will also gain the ability to investigate environmental health issues in a range of contexts and apply your knowledge of environmental health stressors to solve complex problems. You will be able to interpret data and design novel solutions to environmental health issues, as well as performing practical food inspections. You will gain effective communication and leadership in Environmental Health settings and develop academic research strategies and critical writing.

Modules

This module will introduce the fundamental scientific concepts underpinning the assessment of chemicals, physical agents and micro-organisms in the context of pollution and occupational safety and health. You will acquire skills in scientific information gathering, experimentation, data analysis and presentation. You will develop your knowledge on chemistry, physics and microbiology which will form the basis of further studies in specialist modules in Environmental Health.

This module will provide you with the knowledge of the human anatomy and its hierarchical organisation from cell to organ system. An understanding of how the main body systems and mechanisms involved maintaining a "state of health" will be developed along with an introduction to how these systems can malfunction. Grounding in practical anatomy will be provided which includes hands-on practical work in identification and recognition of the main anatomical features of organs and structures of the body.

This module will provide an understanding of disease transmission and vectors of disease, emphasising the importance of zoonotic diseases in environmental and public health. You will develop your knowledge of comparative anatomy and physiology of the food animals with hands-on practical work to enable identification, differentiation and fitness of food items of animal origin. You will explore strategies which ensure the safety and quality control in relation to inspection, zoonotic disease transmission and fitness. In addition, you will gain practical skills in the identification of the main arthropod and vertebrate pests, their diversity, role as biological and mechanical vectors of disease and their socioeconomic impact. You will also look at strategies for control such as integrated pest management principles.

This module will develop your understanding in the concepts of health and ill-health and factors which influence and contribute to an individual’s state of health. You will examine how physical, chemical, biological, social and psycho-stressors impact on human health and the environment. You will develop your knowledge and understanding of illness and well-being through examining toxicology, aetiology, epidemiology and demography. You will explore the relationship between food, lifestyle, health and disease, and develop an appreciation of the importance of these in the prevention of disease and facilitating health improvement.

This module aims to develop your administrative, communication and practical skills required for successful academic and professional progress. You will also develop an appreciation of governance and the legal systems, including legal doctrines applicable to criminal, evidence and civil law. The professional practice element focuses upon the assessment of risk upon which further risk management skills can be developed. You will gain understanding of the principles and breadth of environmental health professional practice.

This module will provide the necessary skills to plan, implement and analyse project-based work with a focus on preparing for the final year project module. You will develop core research skills fundamental to a scientific research design, irrespective of discipline, including analytical techniques appropriate to the individual programme requirements.

This module aims to provide you with a basic understanding of the principles, terminology and methods underlying the construction and performance of residential buildings and the practical and cognitive skills to recognise building defects and to be able to specify suitable diagnostic treatments. You will also explore the relevant legislative remedies available to intervene on individual and strategic levels to deliver safer and healthier housing and local environments.

This module explores the relationship between housing, health and safety, and ways in which housing, health and social care organisations can work more effectively together to deliver better health outcomes. You will learn about housing in history and the range of organisations and stakeholders now involved in delivering the housing and public health agenda. You will consider the housing and health needs of a range of social and geographical communities with a view to developing effective, integrated, evidence based strategies and interventions. You will also develop skills for implementing housing and strategies and interventions at local level.

This module aims to make you aware of the environmental and health impacts of pollution. You will gain an understanding on the harmful substances potentially present in the air, water and soil environments as a result of human and natural processes. You will develop your knowledge of the technological options, legislative processes and economic implications associated with the assessment and control of pollution.

This module aims to develop your understanding of fundamental legislative and governance principles used to protect workers’ physical, mental and wider well-being within the workplace through an exploration of common workplace hazards and stressors. You will explore the principles of risk and apply appropriate interventions/improvements/polices to safety behaviour and management.

This module is designed to provide a coherent body of theoretical and applied professional knowledge, transferable skill development, and competence in the field of food safety through an informed and critical approach to current practice. Key issues will be identified and evaluated from professional, technical and managerial perspectives.

This module is aimed to provide you with a deep understanding of the role of the media in public health and the cultural aspect of public health in today’s society. You will analyse the multiple way of stimulating the public discussion around public health and improve the health knowledge of the population through the analysis of different media including film, social media, art, radio, newspapers. You will gain a basic understanding of the role of law and legislation in public health, and ethics in health research to support your future role as a health practitioner.

This module aims to develop your understanding of leadership in environmental and public health organisations both within and across organisations. You will learn about the principles of environmental health and public health governance and their organisational management. You will explore effective leadership styles with reference to case studies and the theoretical perspective. You will also examine available tools for performance management and develop an appreciation of their effectiveness for employees and for leaders of environmental health and public health organisations. You will develop your skills in implementing strategies and policies in these organisations and you will explore principles for leading more effective change.

This module aims to develop your professional practice skills, building on the skills and knowledge developed in the intervention areas of food safety, health and safety, environmental protection, housing and health, and public health improvement and protection. You will explore the operation of professional practice in the context of the varying socio-economic, political, legal and environmental settings, including appraising determinants of health, identification of environmental health interventions, and effectiveness of practice, role of partnership and team working.

This module aims to synthesise learning from the previous modules and provide an opportunity for you to study independently and investigate a topic in depth. It fosters academic curiosity, an inquiry based approach, the employment and application of research skills, and facilitates the development of a higher level of theorising. You will select a topic of personal interest you wish to study further and manage your own learning with the support of an allocated supervisor for this period of independent study.

This module aims to develop your knowledge of the composition and properties of foodstuffs and the relationship with safety, fitness, and quality within an overarching public health framework. You will identify and evaluate a range of food stuffs, state their condition and recognise unfit/unacceptable food as well as explore a range of possible food safety interventions and recommend the most satisfactory course of action in order to achieve public health food safety. You will evaluate the relevant statutory provisions and appraise the role of the enforcement officer and other relevant factors in determining the most satisfactory course of action to improve food safety.

You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.