Creating Evidence-Based Solutions to Environmental Pollution and Health

Contemplating environmental pollution and public health through an interdisciplinary approach 

Module details

  • Offered to 3rd Year students in Autumn term
  • Thursdays 16:00-18:00
  • Planned delivery: On campus (South Kensington)
  • 1-term module worth 5 ECTS  
  • Available to eligible students as part of I-Explore 

Throughout this module, you will be introduced to environmental exposure to pollution and its impacts on human health internationally, focusing on solutions, their implementation and evaluation. You will receive a transdisciplinary experience and set of skills to successfully propose a potentially viable pilot intervention. You will learn from pollution, exposure, modelling, toxicology, ‘big data’ and biostatistics, epidemiology, behavioural change and policy analysis. You are expected to apply complementary interdisciplinary approaches to solve a problem using STEMM, but also employing business, entrepreneurship, project planning and communication skills. 

You will cover pollution from different sources and types, how they’re created and who they affect. You will also examine pollution from a ‘solution’ perspective and consider what stakeholders are involved in mitigating pollution. You will utilize your presentation and research skills to bring forth your solutions in an engaging and innovative way. 

Please note: The information on this module description is indicative. The module may undergo minor modifications before the start of next academic year. 

Accordian

Learning outcomes

By the end of this module, you will better be able to: 

  • Explain why pollution is a public health concern based on evidence 
  • Analyse and generate evidence from across multiple disciplinary fields to identify and justify a need to address an environmental pollution issue 
  • Evaluate existing pollution interventions and suggest potential improvements to increase their impact in a multi-disciplinary context 
  • Identify, design and plan the development of a tangible intervention which aims to create a solution to an environmental pollution problem and propose its expected outcomes 

Indicative core content

You will be guided in how to create evidence-based solutions across up to eight topic areas, including for example: 

  • Understanding sources and types of pollution 
  • Measuring human exposure 
  • Modelling human exposure 
  • Toxicology 
  • Opportunities for ‘big data’ and biostatistics 
  • Epidemiology and assessing health impact 
  • Social and behavioural change 
  • Implementing policy and cost-benefit analysis 

Learning and teaching approach

You will learn through mixed approaches of a-/synchronous activities including: (a) a series of short online tasks including recorded lectures on up to eight topic areas; multiple podcasts showcasing government, industry and academic initiatives; independent reading material; and formative quizzes; and (b) synchronous online workshops aligned to the eight topics to include problem-based learning activities, critical Q&A/discussions with stakeholders to build on STEMM areas and teamwork, interdisciplinary cooperation and independent, creative learning skills; (c) one workshop to enhance skills in proposal building, entrepreneurship, business and communication; (d) a formative workshop that will critically assess example dragon's den pitches & Q&A that enhances your presentation skills. 

After the presentation and Q&A, oral feedback will be provided immediately and students will be given a consolidated written assessment form under each of the criteria headings from the panel judges.  

You will receive formative feedback in oral workshops for the presentation skills while you will also receive online feedback in the written quizzes under each topic to assist you to gain further understanding of the topics.

Assessment

  • Attendance and participation (20%) 
  • Quality of presentation in “Dragon’s Den” pitch (40%) 
  • “Dragon’s Den” pitch Q&A session (40%)  

Key information

  • Requirements: It is compulsory to take an I-Explore module during your degree (you’ll take an I-Explore module in either your 2nd or 3rd year, depending on your department). You are expected to attend all classes and undertake approximately 105 hours of independent study in total during the module. Independent study includes for example reading and preparation for classes, researching and writing coursework assignments, project work and preparing for other assessments 
  • I-Explore modules are worth 5 ECTS credit towards your degree; to receive these you will have to pass the module. The numerical mark that you obtain will not be included in the calculation of your final degree result, but it will appear on your transcript 
  • This module is designed as an undergraduate Level 6 course 
  • This module is offered by the School of Public Health