Chemicals in the Environment: Toxicology and Public Health (BE.104J)

As taught in: Spring 2005

Photo of oil sheen on river going through city.

Oil floating on the River Irwell near the Manchester UK city center. (Photo courtesy of Matt Cox.)

Instructors:

Prof. James Sherley

Dr. Laura Green

Prof. Steven Tannenbaum

MIT Course Number:

20.104J / 1.081J / ESD.053J

Level:

Undergraduate

Course Features

Course Description

This course addresses the challenges of defining a relationship between exposure to environmental chemicals and human disease. Course topics include epidemiological approaches to understanding disease causation; biostatistical methods; evaluation of human exposure to chemicals, and their internal distribution, metabolism, reactions with cellular components, and biological effects; and qualitative and quantitative health risk assessment methods used in the U.S. as bases for regulatory decision-making. Throughout the term, students consider case studies of local and national interest.