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EHS301Health Sciences Unitsintermediate

Introduction To Basic Instrumentation And Use

This course introduces the fundamental principles of instrumentation and their applications in environmental health. It covers various instruments used in laboratory settings, including spectrophotometers, pH meters, microscopes, and incubators. The course also explores air sampling techniques, environmental hazards, and safety protocols. Students will learn about analytical methods, validation techniques, and precautions for using laboratory equipment, ensuring accurate and reliable data collection and analysis.

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150h
Study Time
13
Weeks
12h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
InstrumentationEnvironmental HealthLaboratory SafetyAnalytical MethodsAir Sampling

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
Math Level
Basic Math
🔬
Learning Type
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Environmental Health

2

Laboratory Safety

3

Instrumentation

4

Spectrophotometry

5

pH Measurement

6

Microscopy

7

Sterilization Techniques

8

Centrifugation

9

Air Sampling

10

Gas Plume Imaging

11

Meteorology

12

Analytical Method Validation

Total Topics12 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Environmental Health Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Laboratory Technician

Apply your skills in this growing field

Environmental Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industrial Hygienist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Safety Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Environmental MonitoringPublic HealthIndustrial SafetyResearch LaboratoriesWaste Management

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Introduction to Environmental Health

4h

Unit 1: Introduction

2 study hours
  • Read the introduction to environmental health.
  • Understand the definition of environmental health.
  • Identify the various disciplines within environmental health.

Unit 2: Disciplines in Environmental health

2 study hours
  • Study the different disciplines in environmental health.
  • Understand the roles of environmental epidemiology, toxicology, and exposure science.
  • Learn about environmental engineering and environmental law.
Week
2

Module 1: Introduction to Environmental Health

3h

Unit 3: Sources of Environmental health

3 study hours
  • Identify the types of environmental health.
  • Study the impacts of environmental and human-made hazards.
  • Understand the spread of diseases.
Week
3

Module 1: Introduction to Environmental Health

4h

Unit 4: Environmental Hazards

4 study hours
  • Learn about chemical, physical, biological, and psychosocial hazards.
  • Understand the effects of water pollution and other environmental issues.
  • Study the impact of human activities on the environment.
Week
4

Module 2: Basic principles of laboratory safety

3h

Unit 1: Spectrophotometer

3 study hours
  • Study the design and application of a spectrophotometer.
  • Understand how spectrophotometry is used for quantitative analysis.
  • Learn about the different types of spectrophotometers.
Week
5

Module 2: Basic principles of laboratory safety

3h

Unit 2: pH meter

3 study hours
  • Describe the operation of a pH meter.
  • Learn about the applications of pH meters in various fields.
  • Understand the principles of potentiometric pH measurement.
Week
6

Module 2: Basic principles of laboratory safety

3h

Unit 3: Microscope

3 study hours
  • Discuss the parts and functions of a microscope.
  • List various types of microscopes.
  • Understand the principles of magnification and resolution.
Week
7

Module 2: Basic principles of laboratory safety

3h

Unit 4: Hot air Oven

3 study hours
  • Describe the hot air oven and its uses.
  • Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of using a hot air oven.
  • Understand the standard settings for sterilization.
Week
8

Module 3: Basic principles of laboratory safety

6h

Unit 1: Incubators

3 study hours
  • Describe the incubator and its uses.
  • Understand how incubators maintain optimal conditions for cell cultures.
  • Learn about the different types of incubators.

Unit 2: Centrifuge

3 study hours
  • Describe the centrifuge and its types.
  • Understand the principle of sedimentation.
  • Learn about the uses of centrifuges in separating fluids and particles.
Week
9

Module 3: Basic principles of laboratory safety

3h

Unit 3: Optical air sensors

3 study hours
  • Describe optical air sensors and their uses.
  • Learn about the different methods of air sampling.
  • Understand how sol-gels and fluorescence are used in air sensing.
Week
10

Module 3: Basic principles of laboratory safety

4h

Unit 4: B2 technology and application

4 study hours
  • Study the B2 technology and its applications.
  • Understand the operation of ambient ozone monitors, NO2 monitors, and mercury monitors.
  • Learn about the use of these technologies in environmental monitoring.
Week
11

Module 4: Basic principles of laboratory safety

6h

Unit 1: Gas plume imaging

3 study hours
  • Learn about gas plume imaging techniques.
  • Understand the use of sensors in identifying and quantifying gas releases.
  • Study the applications of gas plume imaging in environmental monitoring.

Unit 2: Barometer

3 study hours
  • Describe the types of barometers.
  • Understand how barometers measure atmospheric pressure.
  • Learn about the functions of barometers in weather forecasting.
Week
12

Module 4: Basic principles of laboratory safety

4h

Unit 3: Weather Balloon

4 study hours
  • Describe the makeup and operation of a weather balloon.
  • Understand the uses of weather balloons in collecting atmospheric data.
  • Learn about the instruments carried by weather balloons.
Week
13

Module 5: Validation of analytical methods and Precautions

6h

Unit 1: Precautions in using laboratory equipment

3 study hours
  • Study the validation of analytical methods.
  • Understand the precautions to be taken during the validation process.
  • Learn about the importance of instrument calibration and glassware cleanliness.

Unit 2: Introduction to the use of the laboratory.

3 study hours
  • Learn about the precautions in using laboratory equipment.
  • Understand the safety measures for heating devices, ovens, and hot plates.
  • Study the guidelines for working with microwave ovens and oil baths.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review all tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and their feedback to understand key concepts and areas where you need improvement.

2

Create concept maps linking different instruments (spectrophotometer, pH meter, microscope) to their specific applications in environmental health.

3

Practice calculations related to pH measurements and spectrophotometry to reinforce your understanding of quantitative analysis.

4

Focus on understanding the principles behind each instrument and their limitations, rather than memorizing specific procedures.

5

Review laboratory safety protocols and guidelines to ensure you are well-prepared for questions on safety practices.

6

Create flashcards for key terms and definitions related to instrumentation and analytical methods for quick recall during the exam.

7

Allocate specific time slots for focused study sessions, breaking down the material into manageable chunks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

8

Form a study group with classmates to discuss challenging concepts and share insights on different topics.

9

Prioritize studying the peak difficulty periods identified in the course, ensuring you have a solid grasp of those complex topics.

10

Practice answering past exam questions to familiarize yourself with the exam format and time constraints.

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