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Instructor:
Dr. Robert A. Perkins, P.E.
Office: 253 Duckering
Office phone 907-474-7694
Home phone 907- 479-3906
Email raperkins@alaska.edu
Grading
The final grade is the instructor's subjective
evaluation of the student's knowledge of the course subject matter. The instructor
considers such objective criteria as:
| Points | ||
| Assignments | (12 @ 15) | 180 |
| Quizzes | (12@10) | 120 |
| Paper | 150 | |
| Final Exam | 150 | |
| Miscellaneous | Approximately | 25 |
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Total
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525 |
The student's total points are divided by the course total and greater than 90% is an "A," etc. The course total points may vary somewhat, but the points for components of each module are clearly stated in the module's first page.
Course Description
Environmental risk assessment is the processes of estimating
the probability and severity of adverse human health effects due to chemicals
in the environment. The general principles of estimating risk: hazard identification,
dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization, are
applicable to chemicals from any source, including drugs and workplace chemicals.
These same general principles can be applied to hazards other than chemicals
such as radiation, and to receptors in the environment other than humans. This
course emphasizes chemicals in the environment because environmental risk assessments
are commonly required by state and federal environmental agencies to determine
if action is required following a chemical spill or release to the environment.
These assessments require knowledge of specific technical disciplines: engineering,
chemistry, geology, and toxicology. This technical knowledge must be applied
to the particular problem and the result placed in a form that is reviewed by
agencies and the public. Public involvement in the risk management process and
its relation to risk assessment is considered. Ethics and a concern for the
public health and safety are emphasized. The main topics are listed in the Course
Outline.
The course is organized in modules and sub-modules. The modules are an administrative
unit and the sub-modules are the learning units. The student will complete one
module per week, and each module will "close" on a Monday at 8 PM,
Alaska Time. Electronic asynchronous discussions with other students are part
of the course and these require participation prior to the closing time. Each
module will contain several sub-modules. Each sub-module will focus on one of
these five main areas:
The sub-modules will generally start with some stated
learning goals. Within each sub-module there are several learning units. Each
unit has explanatory text, then hyperlinks to sites of others that have more
explanation, examples, or material for discussion. At the end of the sub-module
there is an assignment.
Each module will be graded; the typical module will generate 25 points: 15 points
for the individual student's assignment, 5 points for the discussion with other
students, and 5 points for "questions and comments" with the instructor.
The individual assignment may be questions requiring text answers, calculations,
or the results of computer programs. The discussion with other students requires
participation in an on-line "discussion board." The email to the instructor,
"questions and comments," require the student to ask questions pertaining
to the material or identify glitches in the on-line presentations. Questions
will be answered to the student directly and posted to a "closure"
section in the following weeks module. If the student identifies glitches ranging
from gaps in the material to incorrect hyperlinks and typographical errors,
the student will get credit for calling them to the instructor's attention.
Questions will be answered to the student directly and posted to a "closure"
section in the following weeks module.
Goals
The student will become familiar with the risk assessment
process regarding human health effects of chemicals in the environment such
that the student can review and critically evaluate risk assessments performed
by others and, within the student's professional area, efficiently contribute
to the production of accurate risk assessments.
Paper and Final Exam
The paper will be a term-paper on a relevant topic. The length of the paper
will vary between students, but the typical paper will have about 10 pages of
text, 12-point font, double spaced. The paper will be submitted electronically
and require both on-line and traditional literature research.
There will be a "take-home" final examination.
Text Books
There are no required texts. You should
have a college chemistry textbook nearby. The book, Multimedia Environmental
Models: The Fugacity Approach, Second Edition by Donald Mackay, is
a recommended text. (CRC Lewis Publishers, 2001, ISBN 1566705428) We will parallel
the first four chapters quite closely, and Mackay has several handy tables and
examples. That information is also found in many chemistry books and conveniently
tabulated in many environmental chemistry texts, so the Mackay book is handy,
but not necessary. It is not in the UAF bookstore; you can order it from CRC
over the web [Catalog number L 1542]. [This is the first time I have used the
second edition, the first edition will probably still suffice, if you happen
to have one.] There are other books available electronically, some we will make
heavy use of, for example, Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund (RAGS) by
the EPA. I will give you the URL (web address) of the document the first time
it is required. It's up to you if you want to printout the document for yourself
(a lengthy process) or just refer to the sections you need when you need them.
I would recommend downloading the lengthy documents to your hard drive or a
zip disk.
Learning Modules
The course website may be accessed through the ENVE 651 Homepage.