Environmental Health, Science and Policy

Faculty from the social and policy sciences, natural sciences and physical sciences come together for interdisciplinary study and teaching of the environment as it affects human health or as the actions of humans affect the environment. Factors of primary importance in understanding these types of interactions involve the study of the natural and physical sciences, populations, political and economic institutions, and philosophies within society and the societal attitudes that drive legislation and regulation affecting human health as well as environmental sustainability.

Course work moves toward problem-oriented curricula which are enriched by ongoing faculty and student research on such topics as the effects of environmental stressors (e.g., pollution; the biology and politics of water pollutions; potential impacts of natural disasters; compliance with environmental regulations; the consequences of urbanization and population change; and environmental exposure assessment).