ESP 803: Human and Ecological Health Assessment and Management
ESP 803: Human and Ecological Health Assessment and Management
Offered: Fall (annual)
Monday 1:50 p.m. - 4:40 p.m.
Dr. Karen Chou (chouk@msu.edu)
This course introduces students to the approaches of risk assessment and risk management of human and ecological health. The goal is to provide knowledge and skills for critically evaluating scientific information and making environmental decisions in a multifaceted scientific, social, and global context. This course has a focus on the uncertainties in scientific information and in extrapolating toxicity information to quantitative values for environmental management decisions. The course also uses historical cases, institutional strategies, and current environmental issues to illustrate the roles of technology, culture, non-governmental organizations, and international factors in management decisions. Each student will participate in a multidisciplinary team to assess toxicity, exposure, or risk, and derive management strategies for environmental substances. The course projects provide a platform for students to learn and to practice problem-solving skills in a multidisciplinary team.