Admission and Unit Information - Bachelor of Natural Science (Environment and Health)

How many species walk, fly, swim or slither, crawl, hop, wriggle or just float, hitchhike or move so slowly that they appear not to move at all? No one knows and new species appear almost every day. This unit focuses on this spectacular diversity of living things and the process of evolution. Students explore and classify biodiversity and how organisms function, acquire and assimilate resources and co-ordinate growth and reproduction. Organisms interact with one another and their environment forming a complex set of interactions in ecosystems. It is these interactions that have driven evolution. Ultimately human survival depends on the sustainable use of this biodiversity and ecosystems.

This unit is designed to provide students with scientific literacy and generic skills required to successfully undertake science-related undergraduate studies. Students learn, develop and utilise academic and interpersonal methodologies within the context of applied scientific principles in society and take responsibility for their own learning. Students are introduced to the contestable and uncertain nature of science and the scientific method. Activities encourage development of self-confidence, self-efficacy, creative thinking through problem solving, group process, communication and peer support. Academic skills include scientific reading and report writing, researching scientific information and library skills, oral presentation, taking tests and exams, effective personal and group based learning strategies, peer assessment, and online learning.

This unit introduces students to the physical, chemical and biological nature of water systems and the linkages to human activity. These linkages include a development of an appreciation of the essential services and broad uses and values of water in modern human society, and the natural environment. Students are challenged to examine the causes and effects of water pollution and environmental degradation. Students are introduced to scientific water sampling, analysis and reporting of water quality and pollution.

This unit is an introduction to the fundamental chemistry principles and skills required for students studying courses in food, nutrition, and the environment. The emphasis is on the structure and reactivity of substances and mixtures in different chemical environments, and exposed to different forms of electromagnetic radiation. The focus is on chemistry in aqueous environments and the atmosphere, and studied using a systems approach.

Resource sustainability deals with the local, national, and global sustainability issues concerning human interactions with the environment. The unit uses current resource issues and scientific concepts to provide the practical and theoretical information needed for students to think critically about environmental issues and to contribute to the sustainable management of natural and built environments. Students will also learn how science and society interact in the management of resources. Using the concept of ecologically sustainable development as a foundation, students will use critical thinking skills to research a resource issue of their choice at the local, national and/or international level. Students will communicate their research using new mediaexploring the issue and make recommendations for improving sustainability.

This level 1 unit develops the quantitative skills that underpin many fields of study in the sciences. The content covered includes basic algebra, functions, graphs, equations, linear and quadratic, introductory probability and descriptive statistics. These mathematical/statistical concepts will be revised and developed using scientific concepts such as molarity and dilution, optical density, population growth, and predator-prey models. In all aspects of this unit, students will be developing and using critical thinking skills to solve mathematical/statistical problems set in a scientific context.

This unit introduces students to the holistic and socio-ecological nature of human health and its linkages with the socio-cultural and physical environment, focussing specifically on environmental noise as a significant risk to both physical and mental health. Students are challenged to identify and reflect on the underlying causes of traditional and contemporary environmental health issues and to explore the changing nature of environmental health, its professional practice, associated policy and the changing roles and responsibilities in government, business and industry. The unit introduces a range of health promotion and community education models for the design and evaluation of environmental health interventions.

Water is essential for all life on earth. This unit will equip students with skills in biological, chemical and physical water quality assessment for a sustainable water future. The unit introduces students to healthy natural waterways and contrasting degraded waters impacted by disturbance from human activities. A broad range of pollutants, their sources and the consequences for human health and the ecology of water ways will be investigated. Management strategies will also be examined based on the sound scientific assessment of water quality. Students in this unit will cover water quality legislation, regulation, policy, guidelines and develop competencies in water monitoring, regulation, treatment and management.

Science and the scientific process of discovery have been successful in offering explanations for the world we live in. Due to scientific advances, we have eradicated some disease, explored the moon and the deepest parts of our oceans and created communication across distances on the planet previously unimaginable. We now face the major challenge of creating a future world which is sustainable for life on Earth. Solving our contemporary complex human and environmental issues to create a sustainable future, however, requires integrative and multidisciplinary research frameworks, an understanding of the relationship between science and society including cultural, social, economic and political and ethical factors. Students will critically examine such perspectives in a series of contemporary 'real-life' case studies such as climate change, indigenous health, medical breakthroughs, biodiversity loss, environmental sustainability and human-animal interactions. They will undertake research into the relationship of science integrated with society, and the uncertainty and bias of evidence in decision making. They will demonstrate their understanding by analysis of a contemporary issue by producing an eco-science advisory column.

Epidemiology is an analytical science concerned with the distribution and determinants of health-related states in populations, aimed at the management of health problems. Epidemiology is not limited to controlling epidemics but assesses and manages physical, mental and social well-being in living, working and recreational environments. The unit introduces identification and understanding of risk factors for health and disease, and assists the student to develop an investigation protocol for assessing a specific health state within their own field of interest. This addresses career needs for a range of health studies while introducing the epidemiological analytical approach to risk assessment and research.

This unit is an introduction to environmental planning in local and state government and in particular the role of planning in protecting the natural environment, enhancing population health and/or encouraging sustainable development practices. Students focus on goal-setting for environmental protection and then explore how planning policy can assist with achieving these goals. Current metropolitan planning and strategy is examined using the Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney as the primary case study. The unit scopes environmental planning policies introduced by state, local and Commonwealth governments to adapt to climate induced impacts on the environment and on community health and well being.

Microorganisms play a crucial role in soil and water ecosystems, in health and disease of plants and animals, including humans, as well as in industries such as the food and brewing industries. The unit builds on students existing knowledge of cell biology and biodiversity, and explores the characteristics of micro-organisms, the conditions required for their growth and survival, methods of control and their significance in the environment, health and industry. The theory and practice of microbiology are integrated in the laboratory component in which students learn techniques of handling, observing, growing and counting microorganisms.

Formulating research questions to solve problems by designing and selecting a systematic methodology to test hypotheses and evaluate evidence are an essential part of research and inquiry. This unit will provide students with the critical thinking skills needed to undertake applied research, especially how to incorporate quantitative and qualitative evidence into arguments. Students will communicate the results of investigations using a variety of modes for different purposes. The ethical and regulatory frameworks for research on human and animals will be discussed including the UWS human and animal ethics approval process required for research.

Toxicology is the study of toxicants or poisonous substances: their nature, effects on the human body, and on human, animal and plant populations. Poisonous substances have been used by humans from antiquity for both beneficial and malevolent purposes and today a vast array of toxic industrial chemicals are produced. Both accidental (workplace and environmental) and intentional (forensic) exposure are covered, in terms of group properties, chronic and acute, toxicity, exposure potential, health impact and intervention are presented through forensic case studies. Students carry out a toxicology audit of an operation or premises of their choice.

This unit aims to provide students with a broad understanding of the current environmental regulations available to environment protection and planning authorities at the State and Local Government level to protect and manage the natural and built environments. This unit will also consider environmental policy introduced by the Sate and Commonwealth governments to manage land use activities so as to encourage sustainable development practices. It is a suitable subject for students entering government or industry in environmental management, health and planning roles. There is a particular focus on the use of legislation and preparation of policy to address environmental and health risks to the community.

Food safety is rapidly evolving with the emergence of new food borne diseases, changing disease patterns, evolving approaches to risk analysis and an emerging requirement that food producers, processors, handlers and consumers take shared responsibility for food safety. This unit aims to equip students with the necessary skills to identify, evaluate and control food borne hazards in order to protect the safety and quality of the food supply and reduce associated risks to human health. Content includes the key elements of food safety and regulation food contamination; food spoilage agents and hazards; principles of good hygienic practice and preservation in food production, preparation and distribution.

Unit 300913 (Field Project 1) and the associated Unit 300914 (Field Project 2) are designed as capstone units of study for the Bachelor of Natural Science Degree. They draw together the skills acquired in previous years of the degree course and apply them in the context of a year-long research project exploring a real world problem on behalf of a professional client. In this Unit the student will develop skills in scoping, planning and pilot testing the research project. They will then revise methods as appropriate, plan data collection and analysis.

The unit aims to provide students with an essential working understanding of occupational health and safety legislation, risk assessment and risk management currently required for graduate employment across a broad range of industries and workplaces. The unit explores current occupational health, safety and welfare issues in the workplace with specific reference to the enforcement of OHS legislation, workers compensation, and principles of hazard identification and risk management as required by Australian legislation. The unit also equips students with the capacity to recommend OHS policies to ensure compliance with this legislation and relevant research risk assessment strategies.

This unit examines the world of environmental risk management and will introduce students to environmental management systems including Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Auditing. The unit considers and examines the application of the precautionary principle in real world situations. Students will also be introduced to methods of quantitative risk assessment as applied to environmental and agricultural risks such as urban, peri-urban and rural growth; industrial and agricultural land use; contaminated land, and climate change.

Deteriorating air quality and climate change are two major challenges facing humanity and threatening environmental sustainability and human health. As such, air quality and climate change are of International, National, State and local community concern. This unit critically analyses the many issues that relate to air pollution, including its nature, extent, impacts and monitoring. Students will examine an air pollution issue of their choice.

This is the second of two Units (Field Project 1 & Field Project 2) that are designed as capstone units of study for the B Nat Sci Degree. Together they draw together the skills acquired in previous years of the degree course and apply them in the context of a year-long research project exploring a real world problem on behalf of a client in industry, government or community agency. In the first Unit the student will have developed skills in scoping, planning, and piloting methods for a research project. In this second Field Project Unit the student will collect and organise a significant body of relevant field data, analyse this and present the conclusions and recommendations in the form of a report to the client that provides the students answers to the clients initial problems. The student then undertakes a critical review of the whole process to identify lessons for both personal and professional development and future career planning.

This unit explores the relationships between community, the natural environment and government within an urban context through considering how housing and urban development can influence population health. Concepts explored include "healthy housing", "active living" "safety by design" and "energy efficiency". Through a combination of case studies and practical field experience, students will develop the skills and knowledge appropriate to assessing the "healthiness" and sustainability of urban environments. The unit examines methods of construction and building regulation aimed at the preservation of health and amenity.

This unit focuses primarily on disease prevention and control as it relates to professional environmental health practice. Changes in human lifestyles, rapid urbanisation, industrial expansion, environmental degradation, international migration and travel, changing demography, and demands for mass-produced food have promoted diseases which require integrated population health management strategies. While the newer environmentally-induced epidemics such obesity, depressive disorders, cardiovascular diseases and cancers predominate in industrialised nations, communicable conditions of a bacterial, viral or parasitic nature remain prevalent internationally and in some cases have re-established to epidemic or even pandemic proportions. The unit addresses both communicable and non-communicable/chronic diseases of public health significance and develops skills for planning integrated strategies for their prevention and control at the population level.

This unit explores the management of planning and preparation for and community responses to disasters and emergencies. Through case studies and presentations from current and cutting-edge professional practitioners in the field, students develop 'hands on' understanding of risk assessment and prevention strategies for community safety during times of critical incidents. This includes emergency management strategies for community recovery and public education and preparation for potentially critical incidents. Workshop activities facilitate collaborative student learning through the use of developing scenarios involving of infectious disease pandemics, natural disasters and manmade emergencies such as terrorism.