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187.661.81
Environmental Health in Neurological and Mental Disorders

Location
Internet
Term
4th Term
Department
Environmental Health and Engineering
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2024 - 2025
Instruction Method
Asynchronous Online
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite

187.610 or consent of instructor

Description
Estimates are that 10% of the general population over the age of 65 living in the U.S. will have Alzheimer's Dementia. Estimates are that 15% of children aged 3 to 17 suffer from a neurodevelopmental disorder. Genetic and environmental factors are being identified.
Covers physical and chemical factors in our environment that contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders, mental health diseases, and neurodegeneration. Includes a brief introduction to neurobiology, experimental studies in neurotoxicology, and studies on human populations.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe intracellular and intercellular mechanisms underlying normal brain function
  2. Explain mechanisms underlying associations between mental disorders/neurological diseases and exposure to environmental pollutants
  3. Discuss developmental, senescent, and genetic factors that increase the individual’s risk to environmental pollutants
  4. Analyze data from experimental and epidemiological studies on neurodevelopment neurodegeneration
  5. Discuss animal models to study human behavior
  6. Explain tests given to assess human cognition and motor function
  7. Assess methods to test chemicals for safety
  8. Explain the involvement of neurological diseases and mental illnesses in the well-being of the population
  9. Explain the biology of neurodevelopment and neuroaging
  10. Discuss the historical and philosophical perspectives in studying the brain
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 92% Quizzes
  • 8% LiveTalks