This course covers chemicals in our environment and in our bodies and how they impact our health. It addresses policies and practices related to chemicals, particularly related to how they get into our bodies (exposures), what they do when they get there (toxicology), how we measure them (biomonitoring) and their impact on our health. Most examples are drawn from the US.
Chemicals and Health
Offered By
Johns Hopkins University
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
14 hours to complete
Week 1: Welcome & Introduction
Start off this week with the peer assessment (we know, we know. . .how can we have an assessment before the course even starts, right?). We simply hope to gauge your initial understanding of the topics that we’ll cover (so grade easy).
Then we get into a quick overview of the course, a discussion of chemicals & how we are exposed (in three parts) and an introduction to chemical production & regulation. The module ends with a fun homework assignment: watch an eight-minute video and discuss amongst yourselves (and with us too).
5 videos (Total 65 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
5 videos
Lecture 1A: Chemicals in Our Environment: What Is a Chemical and How Are We Exposed - Burke7m
Lecture 1B: Chemicals in Our Environment: What Is a Chemical and How Are We Exposed - Burke8m
Lecture 1C: Chemicals in Our Environment: What Is a Chemical and How Are We Exposed - Burke21m
The Chemical Revolution - Megan Latshaw14m
2 readings
Syllabus10m
Grading10m
Week
21 hour to complete
Week 2 - Toxicology: What do chemicals do in our bodies?
Now that you have a sense of what a chemical is, and how we are exposed to them, we dive into the science of how chemicals impact our health, starting with toxicology. But before you dive into the study of poisons, please review, evaluate, and grade at least four of your classmates' submissions from last week. After you listen to the lectures by Professor Trush, take the ten-question/multiple-choice quiz that covers weeks 1 & 2. Feel free to go back and use the lectures to help you answer the questions.
3 videos (Total 33 min), 1 quiz
3 videos
Lecture 3B: A Look Into the World of Toxicology Section B - Trush19m
Toxicology, Toxicokinetics, and Toxicodynamics .1m
1 practice exercise
Modules 1 and 2 Quiz20m
Week
31 hour to complete
Week 3 - Biomonitoring: How do we measure these chemicals in our bodies and why?
Start by watching a two-minute video and a five-minute news report. Post your reactions not only to the video and audio files, but also to your peers’ thoughts!
Next you’ll hear from a CDC scientist about the US’ National Biomonitoring Program, then you’ll hear how that program translates to the local level. Be sure to keep in mind the relationship of communities to their government! This week is pretty light – so enjoy!
2 videos (Total 37 min)
2 videos
Lecture 5: Biomonitoring at State and Local Laboratories - King11m
Week
41 hour to complete
Week 4 - Health effects of chemicals: How do we figure out how chemicals affect our health?
Finally we get to one of the main questions presented in this course - how do scientists assess the impact of chemicals on our health? You’ll hear from a physician who specializes in environmental & occupational medicine and epidemiology. Then you’ll hear how policymakers use the knowledge that we do have (about chemicals & health) to assess risk and drive policy. Once you’ve viewed the two lectures, another ten-question/multiple-choice quiz will assess how much information you absorbed from weeks 3 and 4. Feel free to go back and use the lectures to help you answer the questions.
2 videos (Total 57 min), 1 quiz
2 videos
Lecture 7: Risk Assessment in Environmental Decision Making28m
1 practice exercise
Modules 3 and 4 Quiz20m
4.7
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Top Reviews
Thank you for giving me excellent information on Chemicals and Health. It is very helpful course for me. Thank you Johns Hopkins University and coursera.
Nice understanding and structured course. It has strongly deepened my knowledge on health outcomes of chemicals.
Instructors
Dr. Megan Weil Latshaw, PhD
Co-Director of the Masters Programs in Environmental HealthBloomberg School of Public Health
Beth A. Resnick, MPH
Associate ScientistHealth Policy and Management
About Johns Hopkins University
The mission of The Johns Hopkins University is to educate its students and cultivate their capacity for life-long learning, to foster independent and original research, and to bring the benefits of discovery to the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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