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Department of Work Environment Course Listings
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An overview course to be taken in the first semester in the Master's program. Case studies are used to introduce students first to the hazard analysis methods, and second, to the prevention methods of each of the department's sub-disciplines. Interconnections between exposures and illness/accident development are reviewed at three levels: individual, work organization and society.
19.503 Toxicology and HealthCredits: 3
Examines the effects of the major and chemical physical hazards in the modern work environment. Presents principles of toxicology as well as the toxicology of heavy metals, organic solvents, pesticides, harmful dusts, asphyxiants. Mechanisms of the effects on human physiologic systems are described along with the physiologic effects of ionizing radiation, heat stress, noise and repetitive trauma.
19.505 Qualitative Research MethodsCredits: 3
This course explores and examines non-quantitative methodologies in the social sciences and political economy. The course will discuss hypothesis generation, survey design, research problem design, case studies, ethnographic methods, participatory research methods, content analysis, interviewing techniques and key informant interviews. Doctoral students in work environment policy are particularly urged to take this course. The course will be offered in collaboration with the Department of Regional Economic and Social Development as course 57.592.
19.506 Introduction to Environmental HealthCredits: 3
This course will survey the rapidly growing field of environmental health
through an introduction to the links between environmental stressors and
impacts on public health. The course will explore human and industrial
activities that impact on environmental health such as population, food
production, air and water pollution, waste, the built environment, toxic
substances, pests, and global climate change. The course will also examine
the types of diseases and illnesses that result from environmental impacts.
Students will be encouraged to examine in greater detail a specific topic in
environmental health of personal interest.
This course is designed to provide an overview of hazard recognition, evaluation and control of potentially hazardous biological materials. This introduction to the field will cover the potential risks of working with biological materials, the use of engineering, work practices and administrative measures for hazard control and regulations governing the area of biosafety.
Requires working knowledge of Microbiology, and permission of Instructor.
19.514 Aerosol ScienceCredits: 3
Basic properties of airborne particles, with particular regard to properties important to health. Includes basic properties of gas-borne particles, uniform particle motion, particle collection mechanisms, filtration, particle sampling, respiratory deposition, particle statistics, electrical properties, and optical properties. Course includes lectures and laboratory.
This course is designed to provide an overview of hazard recognition, evaluation and control in laboratory environments. This introduction to the field will cover the potential risks of working with chemicals, radioactive materials, animals and biological materials. It will also introduce the use of engineering, workpractices and administrative measures for hazard control and regulations governing the area of laboratory safety.
Climate change offers one of the greatest challenges yet faced by society and scientists. The scientific consensus is clear that climate change is occurring, its pace is accelerating, its impacts on human society will be largely negative, and it is largely caused by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, despite strong scientific evidence for the enormous challenges that society may face, scientists' attempts to disseminate that evidence beyond their peers have not yet been successful. Indeed in today's media world of blogs, YouTube video clips, and sound-bites, confusion over the scientific reality of climate change frequently dominates the discourse in classrooms and communities. This course will provide students with the tools and knowledge that they need to develop their own well-informed view of climate change. Because climate change is both impacted by humans and will increasingly impact society, this course takes a cross-disciplinary approach, integrating science, policy solutions, and media literacy as they relate to climate change.
19.521 Introduction to Industrial HygieneCredits: 2
19.523 Introduction To ErgonomicsCredits: 2
19.525 Industrial Hygiene and ErgonomicsCredits: 3
A survey course covering introductory topics in ergonomics and industrial hygiene. Ergonomics topics include work measurement, anthropometry, biomechanics, psychosocial stress and work reorganization, special emphasis is placed on the recognition and control of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Industrial hygiene topics will cover the identification, measurement, and control of chemical and physical hazards in the work environment including principles of air sampling and analysis, ventilation and other control technologies, and the use of personal protective equipment with special attention to respiratory and hearing protection.
19.530 Ergonomics and WorkCredits: 3
An overview of the scientific basis for design of the workplace to optimize physical and mental interaction of workers with machines, tools, and work methods. Topics include work measurement, anthropometry, biomechanics, work physiology, cumulative trauma disorder and information presentation and processing.
19.531 Occupation BiomechanicsCredits: 3
The anatomical and physiological basis of human motor capabilities. Quantitative models are developed to explain muscle strength performance, motion control, physical fatigue, and acute and chronic musculoskeletal trauma, particularly static link models of lifting and other manual activities. Application to the evaluation and design of various tasks and occupations.
19.532 Occupational Biomechanics LaboratoryCredits: 3
A laboratory presentation of the biomechanical basis for understanding and predicting human motor capabilities using bioinstrumentation. Computerized data acquisition, electromyography and load cells for strength measurement are examples of the equipment used in this lab. Particular emphasis is placed on the evaluation of occupational activities.
19.540 Occupational Safety EngineeringCredits: 3
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the principles of safety hazards in the work environment. This course is primarily designed to emphasize the safety aspects of the hazards at work. It begins with the historical development of occupational safety and health and progressively examines the fundamentals of recognition, measurement, evaluation, and control of occupational safety hazards.
Pre-Req: 19.525 Ind Hygiene & Ergonomics, or Instructor permission.
19.542 Human FactorsCredits: 3
The functional processes of human systems in the workplace that affect psychosocial health and productivity. Review of associations between work design principles and effects on human well-being, learning, and performance. Human perceptive, cognitive, metabolic, and social-psychologic limitations. Human-machine interactions affecting "stress" and learning at the level of individuals and of groups. Introduction to "healthy" job redesign, "conducive production", and measurement strategies. Principles applied through practical design problems.
19.544 Safety and Health StandardCredits: 3
Comprehensive study and analysis of federal and state standards and regulations for occupational safety and health. Covers the general industry standards and the construction, maritime and agriculture standard with special emphasis on the most frequently referenced standards in general industry. Analysis of latest cases of non-compliance with standards will be examined. Students who successfully complete the course will receive an official OSHA 30-Hour course completion card from Federal OSHA. Designed to prepare students for the Certified Safety Professional examination.
Housing is fundamental to the quality of life in communities, and housing policies shape the availability of this fundamental good. This course will examine the economic, environmental, social, and cultural factors that shape housing and its sustainability. Overall housing and land use policy in the United States will be summarized, with students learning of the ways in which housing policy impacts communities, states, and regions. The course will then give students a detailed understanding of the process through which housing is developed and the role the market, government, funders, workers, and housing consumers play in influencing the creation and development of housing. The course will highlight the ways in which current housing development policy and practices are not sustainable, and will examine more recent efforts to establish standards and practices that enhance sustainability. Students will learn how to take a housing project through the various stages, such as project conceptualization, market analysis, design, site acquisition, financing, construction, and occupancy. While the course focuses on the U.S. context, students will learn of international efforts to achieve greater sustainability in housing. The course will provide students with both practical and theoretical knowledge of housing and land use policy and development practices. Case studies of actual projects will be presented.
19.550 Environmental LawCredits: 3
The large body of law, which has developed since the early 1960's, is examined in considerable detail. Federal laws relating to the environment, particularly with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Acts. State and local laws and ordinances are discussed where pertinent.
Students with a CSCE or UGRD career need permission to take Graduate Level Courses.
19.555 Comparative EnviormentalCredits: 3
Human social and productive activities often harm the natural environment. Environmentally related health problems will become more prominent and put additional stress on industrial, as well as transitional and developing nations. A sustainable world is one that provides not only for environmental viability but also economic health, social justice and political participation. This course is designed to explore the dynamics and interactions of social, economic and political factors that aid or impede a community's ability to contribute to global environmental sustainability. The course will be offered in collaboration with the Department of Regional Economic and Social Development as course 57.518.
19.556 Analyzing Peace Violence and WarCredits: 3
This course examines the political, and social factors that cause violence and war, together with the possibilities for peaceful citizen action and constructive solutions to violence and conflicts. Different arenas of conflict are discussed, ranging from workplaces, families and communities, to nations, to the world.
19.557 Toxic Use ReductionCredits: 3
Toxic Use Reduction (TUR) is a new approach to hazardous waste management and environmental protection. Rather than addressing chemical contamination as waste (after its generation), to be managed through permits and emission regulations, TUR focuses on chemicals while still in production. In Massachusetts, firms are required to prepare plans demonstrating how they will reduce or eliminate the use of toxic chemicals. The course is organized as a set of discussions and case studies from the real-life program.
19.558 Occupational Health Administration ICredits: 3
An introduction to management practices for occupational health and safety specialists. Topics include general program management subjects (business policy and corporate organization, human resources management, accounting and budget management). Special attention will be given to program administration in the public sector. In addition, subjects particularly relevant to occupational health practitioners, such as; right to know; worker training and health and safety committees will be covered.
19.559 Conflict ResolutionCredits: 3
This course gives students an understanding of the main issues and solutions involved in community level conflict resolution; e.g., in neighborhoods, workplaces, and other institutions. It develops students' skills in practicing conflict resolution and/or evaluating programs in the field of dispute resolution.It is important to understand why conflict happens and how to resolve conflict.
19.563 Risk CommunicationCredits: 3
Development of the methods and programs needed for in-plant planners addressing reduction in use of toxic materials, and amelioration of ergonomics and physical hazards. The elements of in-plant risk communication will emphasize effective worker notification of the attendant occupational risks and the evaluation of the impact and effectiveness of communication efforts.
19.573 Bioaerosols in Health and BiodefenseCredits: 3
The critical roles of bioaerosols in human health and of airborne infection in many of the major biothreats will be examined using the aerobiological pathway to understand biological agents from source reservoirs to ultimate response. Organisms characteristics, biological and physical factors in aerosol generation, dispersal, decay and exposure, measurement, risk assessment, and control will be examined.
Requirements: Nine credits of biology/microbiology, epidemiology, or toxicology, or life sciences bachelors degree.
Provides an introduction to the principal quantitative methods for assessments of the work environment. Topics include: probability theory, the normal distribution, Gaussian statistics, linear regression, epidemiologic study designs, causal inference in epidemiology, bias, and confounding.
19.577 Biostatics for Health DataCredits: 3
This is a practical course in biostatistical methods for health research. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of the use and interpretation of standard biostatistical methods. Topics include probability and sampling distributions, regression and ANOVA, methods for analyzing rates and proportions, power and sample size calculations. Students will gain experience in using a statistical software package to apply and expand their data analysis skills.
19.579 Disability Outcomes and InterventionsCredits: 3
This course will address the epidemiology of disability outcomes through a mix of didactic presentation and critical discussion of the literature, covering both observational and intervention studies. Qualitative research methods will also be highlighted in terms of how they can enrich the study hypotheses, construct measures, etc. The first half of the course will cover observational studies of individual and environmental risk factors for disability outcomes, including features of both the workplace and the community. Then we will describe the key design features of clinical trials to evaluate interventions, again at both the individual and the organizational levels. Interspersed with lecture material, selected observational and intervention studies from the peer-reviewed scientific literature will be evaluated with respect to study design, methodologic rigor, and adequacy of statistical analysis.
Pre-Req: 34.510 or any research methods course, such as 19.575, or equivalent.
19.598 Thesis ReviewCredits: 1
19.599 Work Environment SeminarCredits: 0
Weekly seminar presenting current topics of research or applications importance in the field. The seminar will be presented by faculty and invited guests.
19.600 Work Environment CapstoneCredits: 0
This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to examine an interdisciplinary problem in depth and propose a solution to the problem.
The product will be a term paper and a public presentation of the proposed approach. Students will work with a faculty member (usually the academic advisor) to serve as a consultant to the process of developing a solution, although the faculty member's role will be to provide guidance and general advice, not detailed directions. A Capstone Report may be designed as an extension of the Research Project.
19.601 Work Environment CapstoneCredits: 3
This 3.0 credit course (19.600 and 19.601) is designed to provide students with the opportunity to examine an interdisciplinary problem in depth and propose a solution to the problem. The product will be a term paper and a public presentation of the proposed approach. Students will work with a faculty member (usually the academic advisor) to serve as a consultant to the process of developing a solution, although the faculty member's role will be to provide guidance and general advice, not detailed directions. A Capstone Report may be designed as an extension of the Research Project.
19.610 Exposure AssessmentCredits: 3
Concepts of quantification of occupational exposures (chemical and physical hazards) for purpose of correlating health effects with exposures. Topics discussed include reasons for conducting exposure assessment, sampling methods, sampling strategies (for epidemiology, compliance, control), and statistical considerations. Principles are illustrated through a series of case studies.
19.611 Physical Properties of AerosolsCredits: 3
A seminar covering aspects of aerosol science not discussed in 19.514 but necessary for the completion of research projects involving aerosols. Topics covered include the electrical, thermal, and optical properties of aerosols, particle agglomeration, evaporation and condensation, and the generation and measurement of test aerosols. Course will consist of lectures and laboratory sessions.
19.612 Exposure Data AnalysisCredits: 3
An advanced seminar covering statistical considerations for exposure sampling and data analysis. Topics include sampling data distributions; the effects of averaging time, autocorrelation, multiple task jobs and limit of detection samples on the sampling distribution; the use of linear models to examine between and within worker variability in exposure; the determination of homogeneous exposure groups; the development of multiple regression models to predict exposure levels and evaluate exposure determinants; and methods of model development, interpretation and validation.
A seminar intended for students pursuing research involving industrial ventilation system design and evaluation. It covers material not included in 19.518, such as recent theoretical models which describe system performance, design of systems for high-temperature operation, trouble-shooting techniques, and advanced instrumentation techniques. Course consists of lectures and laboratory sessions.
19.614 Evaluation of Work Environment HazardsCredits: 3
This course provides the work environment professional with a systematic method of evaluating chemical, ergonomics and work organizational hazards in the field. Formal walk around inspections are conducted and formal reports are prepared. Sampling strategies and statistical considerations in the quantification of occupational exposures are covered. The health risks and control of physical hazards (noise and vibration) in the work environment are a major focus of this course.
Pre-Reqs: 19.525 Ind Hygiene & Ergonomics, 19.575 Intro Biostat & Epidem,19.503 Toxicology & Health; or Instructor permission.
19.615 Solutions for Work Environment HazardsCredits: 3
Techniques for controlling exposure to airborne contaminants. Basic controls include substitution, ventilation, isolation, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. Special focus is placed on Toxic Use Reduction (TUR) and Pollution Prevention strategies.
Pre-Reqs: 19.525 Ind Hygiene & Ergonomics, 19.500 Analytical Context of Work Env; or Instructor permission.
19.616 Exposure and Risk AssessmentCredits: 3
This course covers quantitative and qualitative approaches to the development of sampling strategies. Statistical considerations in the quantification of occupational exposures are covered. Assessment of dermal exposures and the use of biomarkers for exposure assessment are also a focus of this class. An introduction to the methods of risk assessment will also be covered.
Pre-Reqs: 19.525 Ind Hygiene & Ergonomics, 19.575 Intro Biostat & Epidem,19.503 Toxicology & Health; or Instructor permission.
19.618 Risk Management and TrainingCredits: 3
This course will introduce models of health and safety management with a focus on communication with management and employees. Development of effective worker training programs will be covered. The methods and policy implications of quantitative risk analysis and assessment will be introduced and cases discussed.
Pre-Req: 19.500 Analytical Context of Work Env; 19.503 Toxicology & Health ,19.525 Ind Hygiene & Ergonomics or Instructor permission.
19.619 Measurement of Chemical ExposureCredits: 3
Basic properties of airborne particles, with particular regard to properties important to health. Sampling and analysis methods used in the evaluation of occupational exposures to aerosols, gases, vapors. Direct reading instrumentation, calibration and data processing. Integrated sampling methods and chemical analysis of organic and inorganic compounds will be covered in class and lab.
Pre-Req: 19.525 Ind Hygiene & Ergonomics, 19.575 Intro Biostat & Epidem ; UGRD Organic Chemistry; or Instructor permission.
19.620 Advanced Exposure AssesmentCredits: 3
An advanced seminar covering exposure assessment for studies of acute and chronic respiratory disease, pharmacologic modeling for exposure assessment and the design of models to evaluate the role of production process factors in determining workplace airborne exposures. The course assumes a prior background in epidemiology and biostatistics as well as industrial hygiene and toxicology.
This course presents a comprehensive overview of environmental health and safety issues of nanotechnology, with focus on biologically based exposure assessment and control. Methods based on biology, toxicology, and knowledge of disease mechanisms are presented for identifying and quantifying nanoscale materials exposures found in occupational/environmental setting and consumer products and for designing exposure assessments for the study of health effects. This course is needed to fill a gap in the current curriculum offerings and to assist the various researchers in understanding possible risks associated with diverse nanotechnologies. The course will include introductory lectures, paper critiques, and laboratory sessions.
Pre-Reqs: 19.503 Toxicology and Health and 19.514 Aerosol Science.
19.623 Skin Exposure to ChemicalsCredits: 3
This new course, the only of its kind in the occupational & environmental hygiene program in the country, will discuss the significance of occupational environmental and household skin exposure to chemicals, skin exposure assessment and regulatory aspects. The course will address important topics, such as physiology and metabolism of normal skin, skin absorption of a variety of chemicals, including solids and nanomaterials, factors affecting skin permeation, permeability of compromised skin barrier integrity, skin sampling methods, skin-lung interactions and prevention of skin exposure, through a mix of didactic presentations and critical discussion of the scientific peer-reviewed literature. Each session will start with a presentation on the topic, followed by guided discussions of realistic, but provocative, scenarios. As laboratory space and instrumentation becomes available in the near future, a laboratory component will be added to the course to emphasize major sampling techniques and illustrate/visualize skin permeation of chemicals.
Pre-Reqs: 19.610 Exposure Assessment, 19.503 Toxicology and Health.
19.632 Advanced BiomechanicsCredits: 3
A course in advanced biomechanical modeling methods, covering three dimensional static models, optimization methods and dynamic models. Special emphasis will be placed on biomechanical models of the hand. Time will also be dedicated to reviewing current developments in the scientific literature.
19.638 Methods In Work AnalysisCredits: 3
Criteria for selection of an approach to ergonomic job analysis depend on the combination of exposures (micro- and macro-level ergonomic stressors) observed to be present as well as the analytical goal. Many ergonomic analysis techniques are based on traditional industrial engineering approaches (time-motion study and work sampling), applied to the identification and evaluation of potential risks to workers' health. A variety of methods, both observational and instrumentational, will be discussed; laboratory sessions will permit hands-on application of several of these for critical evaluation.
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the Macroergonomics field. Macroergoniomics, also known as the third generation of ergonomics, is a top-down sociotechnical systems approach to the design of organizations, work systems, and jobs. The goal of macroergonomics is a fully harmonized work system at both the macro- and micro-ergonomic level which results in improved productivity, job satisfaction, health and safety, and employee commitment.
Pre-Req: 19.525 Industrial Hygiene & Ergonomics.
19.641 Principles/Accident and PreventionCredits: 3
This course reviews the magnitude of the "accident" problem and examines strategies for injury prevention and control. Various aspects of recent theories associated with "accident" causes are reviewed and discussed. Students will be able to identify incident causation factors, evaluate the magnitude of injury data, and design strategies for injury prevention and control.
19.643 Health Work Organization DesignCredits: 3
Rationales for prevention; determinant of job change feasibility, classic and alternative work organization theories, alternative productivity conceptions, health and growth assessment strategies, conducive work processes, work-group based re-design processes, communicative and network-oriented processes, organization-level change process, product redesign, occupational and political strategic issues.
19.648 Advanced Regression ModelingCredits: 3
19.651 Work Environment PolicyCredits: 3
This course provides an overview of occupational safety and health policy in the U.S. It focuses on the legal context, especially on OSHA, but also provides an analytical framework for examining the role of social, economic and political factors in the recognition and control of occupational hazards.
19.653 Globalization, Work, and HealthCredits: 3
A comparative analysis of occupational health and safety in developed countries. Descriptions and needs of developing countries in occupational health will be reviewed. Issues covered for both will include: Surveillance and definition of needs; descriptions of interventions; and programs for primary and secondary prevention activities.
19.654 Work, Technology and TrainingCredits: 3
This course examines the broader issues of the impact of technology on the work environment and on workers. Topics include technology and craft work, Taylorism and the development of mass production methods, labor in the "factory of the future", skill-based automation, shop floor programming, and other issues in technology policy. The course is offered in collaboration with the Department of Regional Economic and Social Development as 57.503.
This course introduces students to the economic and policy aspects of environmental quality and natural resource issues. The course also incorporates relevant work-environment related issues. Simple and complex models are used to blend economic theory with environmental facts. Students will learn to derive policy insights form theoretical constructs. The primary objective is to show how the basic principles in economics can play a valuable role in analyzing and evaluating critical environmental issues and help in determining policy guidelines.
Standard benefit cost of efficiency criteria will be applied to a wide variety of environmental, work-environment and natural resource problems. In attempting to do so we shall also emphasize how difficult it is to model actual environmental problems in the real world, We shall draw upon the basic tools of environmental and health economics to discuss current policy issues and questions that policy makers confront in practice. Graduate students in work environment will be required to do an economic analysis of an occupational health and safety intervention.
19.656 Workers CompensationCredits: 3
This seminar will review 1) the history of workers' compensation in the United States, 2) the basic outline of current workers' compensation systems, 3) leading issues in workers' compensation "reform" efforts, 4) the effectiveness of workers' compensation in dealing with occupational disease as well as injuries, 5) the interface between workers' compensation and health care reform. Cross-national experience will also be examined.
19.657 Gender Differences at WorkCredits: 3
Offered by Department of Regional Economic and Social Development. This team taught course explores differences in women's and men's work in both the paid and unpaid labor force, including the household. Issues covered include differences in labor force participation, occupations, earnings, career ladders, health and safety, and technology. The major explanations offered by social scientists for the inequalities will be examined for their relevance. Strategies for change will be explored. The importance of class, ethnic/racial, and native-born versus immigrant status is fully integrated throughout the course. This course is designed to be relevant for both graduate students and upper-level undergraduates in a variety of disciplines. The course is offered in collaboration with the Department of Regional Economic and Social Development as 57.504.
19.658 Clean Product DesignCredits: 3
This advanced seminar will provide an introduction to clean product design and management which includes the use of lifecycle thinking, eco-design concepts, materials analysis, inherent product safety, recycling and reuse, produce take back, and design for the environment. As background, the seminar will cover renewable resources, bio-based materials and green chemistry solutions and conclude with a consideration of new forms of sustainable consumption.
19.659 Cleaner ProductionCredits: 3
This course will explore the rapidly expanding developments in cleaner production methods and policies. The course will focus on new directions in environmentally conscious manufacturing and product design in Europe. The subject will cover topics ranging from European demonstration projects, environmental auditing, cleaner technology assessment, eco-efficiency models, water and energy conservation, sustainable product design, eco-design and life cycle assessment, product take-back and extended product life, full cost accounting, industrial ecology, environmental management systems and ISO 14000. Special emphasis will be given to new information data sources and an introduction to new cleaner production methods software.
19.665 Social Movements and EmpowermentCredits: 3
This course examines how social movements arise and evolve, and how they can empower individuals and disadvantaged social groups. We pay special attention to the women's, civil rights and labor movements, but also examine many others including the environmental, human-rights, peace and gay/lesbian movements. Students do field research or do a service project, regarding a particular movement organization and issue. The course is offered in collaboration with the Department of Regional Economic and Social Development as 57.605. .
19.674 Regression MethodsCredits: 3
This course is an intermediate-level statistics course focusing on regression models for both discrete and continuous outcomes. Our objective will be an understanding of statistical methods suitable for the practice of health sciences research (including epidemiology and clinical medicine). Main objectives will be the following:a solid practical understanding of multiple linear regression, a working understanding of logistic regression, a survey of additional topics in modern regression. The first goal includes F-tests, ANOVA, the construction and interpretation of indicator variables, methods of assessing model assumptions, problems of model selection for casual inference and comparison of alternative models. The second goal comprises the most common regression technique applied to binary event data (e.g. diseased vs. nondiseased, or treatment success vs. treatment failure). The final goal addresses the question of what to do when standard statistical assumptions fail, and entails an introduction to semiparametric models and robust methods.
19.675 Introduction to Manuscript WritingCredits: 1
This seminar will cover the basics of how to structure and write an article for a peer-reviewed journal. Participants will bring at least one article from their own field that can serve as a model, as well as a sample of their own writing (can be a course paper or other draft manuscript). Both peer and instructor feedback will help to inform revisions of the draft.
19.676 Introduction to Proposal WritingCredits: 1
This seminar will cover the basics of how to write a thesis proposal or grant application. Participants will bring at an idea for a project and, if possible, an outline or draft of a proposal to be developed further with peer and instructor feedback.
Advanced course on the methods and content of research on occupational respiratory disease with focus on the appropriate use of spirometry, symptom questionnaires, and chest radiography in cross sectional and longitudinal studies. Reviews pathophysiology, prevalence, latency considerations and diagnosis of both acute and chronic respiratory disease caused or exacerbated by work. Special attention is devoted to the impact of the healthy worker selection effect in respiratory epidemiology studies.
19.680 Introduction To SASCredits: 0-1
This course is designed for researchers who will be doing data analysis using SAS. No prior programming experience is necessary, though familiarity with and general experience in use of a PC (DOS and Windows) is required. The course covers topics including: basics of SAS, reading raw data and existing SAS data sets, modifying data, combining data sets, basic statistical procedures, sorting, summarizing, and printing data. .
19.681 Exposure ModelingCredits: 3
19.682 Applied Epidemiology MethodsCredits: 3
A second level course in modern epidemiologic methods. This course is designed for those planning to work in public health or healthcare. Emphasis is placed on the design and conduct of field studies. Students read the current literature, and learn the particular methods and difficulties of conducting epidemiologic studies in the work environment. Major topics covered include: casual inference in epidemiology, point and interval estimation for cohort and case control studies, exposure assessment for epidemiology, control of confounding, cross-sectional and longitudinal study designs.
Pre-Req: 19.575 Intro Biostat & Epidemiology.
19.683 Risk AssessmentCredits: 3
This course will review both the methods and policy implications of risk assessment in the development of occupational and environmental standards. Students will conduct risk assessments on real problems, and study important cases in which these methods have been used in setting public policy.
19.684 Musculoskeletal EpidemiologyCredits: 3
An advanced course on methods and content of research on work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Reviews pathophysiology, diagnosis, prevalence, latency and surveillance issues. The key literature is examined with attention to study design, quality of exposure assessment, control of bias and adequacy of statistical analysis. .
19.685 Injury EpidemiologyCredits: 3
A seminar covering both the methods and content of studies of the risk factors for acute physical injury in the work environment. Following a review of current knowledge on the subject and models of injury causation, the course will focus on the collection of injury data, measurement of exposure to injury risk factors, the design of surveillance systems, and suitable statistical analysis methods. Students will critique the current literature in the field.
This is an introduction to the mathematical basis of statistics. It is designed for doctoral students in the health sciences, e.g., epidemiology or industrial hygiene, who will need to use statistical methods in their research. The course covers the mathematical foundations of probability distributions, estimation, and hypothesis testing. A previous course in differential and integral calculus is required, but little memory of calculus is expected. After completing this course, students will have a better understanding of fundamental statistical concepts and be more comfortable applying familiar statistical methods and interpreting results.
In this seminar readings, discussion, group work and computer exercises are used to gain an understanding of how certain kinds of quantitative models work. Emphasis is placed on the underlying assumptions of these models, and on gaining an intuitive understanding of the most common modeling procedures. The types of models covered will be those most important to current research and policy in environmental health, including ordinary least squares, the method of maximum likelihood, Monte Carlo simulation, and systems of ordinary difference equations. There will be a diverse set of readings, frequent computer exercises to be worked either individually or in groups, and a final project. Facility with Excel or an analogous spreadsheet program will be assumed. .
Introduces students to methods used to synthesize, evaluate, and present environmental, epidemiologic, and other scientific data for environmental health policy. Through presentation of a variety of existing methods, case studies, guest lectures, and group projects, students will develop an understanding of the complexities and issues involved in evaluating and synthesizing scientific information for public policy. The course will examine methods for using both quantitative and qualitative research findings.
19.689 Advanced Regression ModelingCredits: 3
This course will cover introductions to several different regression methods used in environmental and occupational epidemiology to model exposure-response relationships. Topics include Poisson regression, Cox proportional hazards models, and nonparametric regression based on smoothed functions of exposure. Students should have working familiarity with STATA or SAS. Prerequisite: 19.674 or equivalent.
19.690 Critical Review Health RegulationsCredits: 3
Course designed to explore the practical applications of epidemiologic methods to the setting of actual standards. Students gain experience in distinguishing minor from major design and analysis flaws. Course is presented as a seminar with four case studies and problem analysis.
19.695 Chemical Process/SustainabilityCredits: 3
This course surveys the basis of chemical engineering process design and fundamentals of unit operations. The student will be able to understand the basics of chemical engineering design methods for the purpose of enhancing sustainability of chemical production processes.
19.702 Independent Study: Industrial HygieneCredits: 1
Advanced topics in industrial hygiene, exposure assessment or exposure control not offered in the regular curriculum. Topics may vary from year to year.
19.704 Independent Study: ErgonomicsCredits: 1
Advanced topics in biomechanics, work physiology, occupational safety or human factors not covered in the regular curriculum. Content may vary from year to year.
19.705 Supervised Tchng - Work EnvironmentCredits: 0
Advanced topics in work environment policy, risk perception, risk communication and management, regulatory affairs or labor-management programs not covered in the regular curriculum. Content may vary from year to year.
19.708 Independent Study: EpidemiologyCredits: 1
Advanced topics in occupational epidemiology, design and confounding, exposure-response modeling, or surveillance not covered in the regular curriculum. Content may vary from year to year.
19.709 Independent Studies: Occupational EpidemiologyCredits: 1.5
Advanced topics in occupational epidemiology, design and confounding, exposure-response modeling, or surveillance not covered in the regular curriculum. Content may vary from year to year.
19.712 Independent Study: Industrial HygieneCredits: 2
Advanced topics in industrial hygiene, exposure assessment or exposure control not offered in the regular curriculum. Topics may vary from year to year.
19.714 Independent Study: ErgonomicsCredits: 2
Advanced topics in biomechanics, work physiology, occupational safety or human factors not covered in the regular curriculum. Content may vary from year to year.
Advanced topics in work environment policy, risk perception, risk communication and management, regulatory affairs or labor-management programs not covered in the regular curriculum. Content may vary from year to year.
19.718 Independent Study: EpidemiologyCredits: 2
Advanced topics in occupational epidemiology, design and confounding, exposure-response modeling, or surveillance not covered in the regular curriculum. Content may vary from year to year.
19.720 Independent Study:Cleaner ProductionCredits: 2
Advanced topics in clean production, pollution prevention, and environmental protection efforts. Not offered in the regular curriculum. Topics may vary from year to year.
This course offers students advanced in-depth exposure to the scientific literature on biological agents in the air and their health effects, physiology of the respiratory and immune systems, and the pathophysiology of human disease. Readings and text will be selected for the particular needs of the doctoral students participating in the class as preparation for their dissertation needs.
Pre-Reqs: 19.503 Toxicology & Health, or Instructor permission. For Doctoral Students in good standing.
19.727 Sel Top: EpidemiologyCredits: 3
19.728 Sel Top: Work Env PolicyCredits: 3
19.730 Independent StudiesCredits: 3
19.731 Independent Study: Industrial HygieneCredits: 3
A directed program of industrial hygiene field experience with a local industry or government agency.
19.733 Graduate ProjectCredits: 3
Advanced research project required of all master's degree candidates in the ergonomics, industrial hygiene, occupational epidemiology and work environment policy concentrations.
19.735 Independent Study: PolicyCredits: 3
19.736 Graduate Project - Work EnvironmentCredits: 6
19.737 Independent Study: EpidemiologyCredits: 3
19.739 Graduate Project - Work EnvironmentCredits: 9
Advanced research project required of all master's degree candidates in the ergonomics, industrial hygiene, occupational epidemiology and work environment policy concentrations.
19.743 Master's Thesis ResearchCredits: 3
19.746 Master's Thesis - Work EnvironmentCredits: 6
19.759 Doctoral Dissertation/Work EnvironmentCredits: 1-9
Minimum of 18 semester hours of graduate courses at an acceptable level; approval of a written proposal outlining the extent and nature of proposed research work.
19.763 Continued Graduate ResearchCredits: 3
19.766 Continued Graduate ResearchCredits: 6
19.769 Continued Graduate ResearchCredits: 9
19.774 Research : Hazardous SurveillanceCredits: 3