3 credits
Spring 2026 Lecture Upper Division
Risk assessment as used in environmental health is the scientific process used to determine the extent of human exposure to an environmental hazard, and the type and quantify of health effects that are likely to result from these exposures. Information derived from risk assessments are used as the basis for setting regulatory guidelines, determinations of whether a given situation is "safe" or "hazardous" throughout government and industry. This course will cover the process and steps needed to performing a risk assessment, how risk communication can be used to discuss results of a risk assessment, and the use of risk management as a tool to translate results of a risk assessment into policy.
Learning Outcomes1Define risk assessment and describe the general processes and methods used for risk assessment.
2Discuss and analyze how issues such as variability and uncertainty impact risk assessments.
3Define risk communication and describe what features improve (or worsen) its effectiveness.
4Describe the process of hazard management including its strengths and weaknesses in terms of ensuring protection of human health.
5Perform a risk assessment on an environmental hazard and communicate the results of this assessment.
Prerequisites
Restrictions
made by Purdue students.