Environmental Health Laboratory
- Health Sciences
- 400 level
- 3 credit units
- 142 pages
- 20 units
This course, Environmental Health Laboratory, explores the role of laboratories in environmental science. It covers the analysis of environmental samples to assess the impact of hazardous substances on plants, animals, and humans. Students will learn about laboratory construction, reagent preparation, instrumentation, and quality control practices. The course also emphasizes legal provisions, safety, and record-keeping, providing a comprehensive understanding of environmental health laboratory operations and their importance in environmental management programs.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 150 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, practical
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of EHS403, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
EHS403 · UNIT 1: Introduction to Laboratory Science
For successful implementation of environmental protection programs, it is essential to identify and quantify the pollution sources, pollutants, conduct baseline survey, lay down standards and build-up monitoring systems. To meet these requirements, a competent laboratory is required with all necessary instruments, equipment, expertise, capabilities etc. This is the focus of Environmental Science Laboratory.
What you should be able to do
- Understand laboratory construction requirements
- Prepare and store reagents safely
- Operate and maintain laboratory instruments
- Implement quality assessment and control procedures
- Collect and handle samples properly
- Interpret laboratory data effectively
What it prepares you for
- Environmental Scientist
- Laboratory Technician
- Quality Control Analyst
- Environmental Health Officer
- Environmental Monitoring
- Water Treatment
- Waste Management
- Food Safety
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 4: Instrumentation
Unit 3: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Requires understanding of complex biological processes and advanced laboratory techniques.
- Module 5: Quality Assessment and Quality Control Practice
Unit 3: Analytical Quality Control Procedures
Involves statistical analysis and understanding of error sources in analytical procedures.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 32 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction to Laboratory Science
Unit 1: Introduction to Laboratory Science · 2 hours
Understand the definition of laboratory science. Identify different laboratory techniques. Recognize various types of laboratory equipment.
- Week 2Module 1: Introduction to Laboratory Science
Unit 2: Establishment of Environmental Laboratories · 2 hours
Understand the need for environmental health laboratories. Identify legal provisions supporting their establishment. Discuss the role of laboratories in pollution control.
- Week 3Module 1: Introduction to Laboratory Science
Unit 3: Importance and Functions of Environmental Health Laboratory · 3 hours
Explain the importance of environmental health laboratories in public health. Describe the functions of environmental laboratories. Discuss the role of laboratories in environmental monitoring.
- Week 4Module 1: Introduction to Laboratory Science
Unit 4: Laboratory Record Keeping · 2 hours
Understand the use of laboratory records. Differentiate between notebooks, logbooks, and diaries. Learn about laboratory record-keeping procedures.
- Week 5Module 2: General Laboratory Construction
Unit 1: General Requirements for Laboratories Construction · 2 hours
Explain the general requirements for laboratories. Discuss the general goals of laboratory construction. Understand building design and hazardous materials design issues.
- Week 6Module 2: General Laboratory Construction
Unit 2: Laboratory Ventilation Systems · 2 hours
Understand laboratory ventilation systems. Determine the supply air needed. Explain the different ventilation control types.
- Week 7Module 2: General Laboratory Construction
Unit 3: Requirements for Environmental Health Laboratory · 3 hours
Discuss the requirements for environmental laboratories. Describe laboratory design, furniture, and electrical services. Explain the importance of water supply and sound environmental practices.
- Week 8Module 2: General Laboratory Construction
Unit 4: Safe Laboratory Practices · 2 hours
Understand safe laboratory practices. Explain laboratory work environment. Discuss safety rules and regulations in the laboratory.
- Week 9Module 3: Preparation and Storage of Reagents
Unit 1: Preparation of Reagents · 2 hours
Understand the quality of chemicals. Recognize safety symbols. Learn general instructions for preparing laboratory reagents.
- Week 10Module 3: Preparation and Storage of Reagents
Unit 2: Reagent Preparation from Stock Standard Solution · 2 hours
Prepare dilute reagents from stocks of known concentrations. Define terms such as stock standard solution and molar solution. Express concentration of solute.
- Week 11Module 3: Preparation and Storage of Reagents
Unit 3: Converting Between Concentration Units · 2 hours
Carry out conversions between concentration units. Understand the dimensional analysis method. Learn about dilution of concentrated solutions.
- Week 12Module 3: Preparation and Storage of Reagents
Unit 4: Storage of Laboratory Reagents · 2 hours
Understand the process of storage of laboratory reagents. Discuss glassware and other laboratory wares. Learn recommendations for storage of laboratory chemicals.
- Week 13Module 5: Quality Assessment and Quality Control Practice
Final Revision · 6 hours
Review all modules and units. Work on assignments. Prepare for final examination.
Preparing for the exam
- Create a study schedule covering all modules and units
- Review key concepts and definitions from each unit
- Practice calculations related to reagent preparation and data analysis
- Focus on understanding quality control procedures and their application
- Review all TMAs and self-assessment exercises
Questions students ask about this course
What is EHS403 about?
This course, Environmental Health Laboratory, explores the role of laboratories in environmental science. It covers the analysis of environmental samples to assess the impact of hazardous substances on plants, animals, and humans. Students will learn about laboratory construction, reagent preparation, instrumentation, and quality control practices. The course also emphasizes legal provisions, safety, and record-keeping, providing a comprehensive understanding of environmental health laboratory operations and their importance in environmental management programs.
How many units does EHS403 have?
EHS403, Environmental Health Laboratory, has 20 units across 5 modules, over 142 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is EHS403?
EHS403 carries 3 credit units, at 400 level in Health Sciences.
Is EHS403 hard?
EHS403 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and practical work, and it has a practical component.
How long does EHS403 take to study?
About 150 hours of study, spread across its 20 units.
How is EHS403 assessed?
EHS403 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with EHS403?
Environmental Scientist, Laboratory Technician, Quality Control Analyst and Environmental Health Officer.