Transcript Overview of Medical Geology Curriculum at Western Oregon University (Powerpoint Slide Show; Updated Fall 2015)

Medical Geology at Western Oregon University
Curriculum Overview
Steve Taylor, RG, PhD, Professor of Geology
Earth and Physical Science Department
• Introduction
• ES408 Med Geo Class Format
• Thematic Topics
• Conclusion
INTRODUCTION
• Medical Geology: the study of the impacts of geologic
materials and processes on human health
 Interdisciplinary field involving geoscience, biomedicine,
and public health with a focus on environmental health
• ES408 Medical Geology Course History
 Spring 2010 - ES473 Academic Showcase Poster Session
 Summer 2012 & 2013 – Online upper division seminar
reading class for WOU Earth Science Students
 Fall 2014 – Hybrid team building & online seminar class
targeting OHSU-Monmouth nursing students
Medical Geology as a Specialty Discipline
Naturally Occurring Asbestos Symposium
December 18, 2014 Oakland, California
Goals of Medical Geology
(1)To identify geochemical anomalies in sediment, air,
and water that impact human and animal health.
(2)To identify the environmental causes of known health
problems and seek remedial solutions.
(3)To evaluate the beneficial health effects of geologic
materials and processes.
(4)To inform the public of environmental health risks
associated with geologic materials or processes.
(5)To forge global links between countries to find
solutions for environmental health problems.
Bunnell et al. (2007)
ES408 Medical Geology Format
I.
Pre-session 3-day field trip OHSU Nursing Students
A. Experiential education – camping and rafting on
Deschutes River
B. Class introduction and team building
C. Mentoring mixer for year 1-2-3 nursing students
II. Online Course Curriculum
A. Seminar-style journal readings and written
summaries
B. Synthesis review questions
C. Capstone case study seminar presentations
ES408 Thematic Units
Unit 1 – Introduction
Unit 2 - Geologic Factors and Human Health
A. Earth Materials
B. Processes and Hazards
Unit 3 – Water Resources and Biogeochemistry
A. Water Geochemistry and Health
B. Biological Functions of Elements
Unit 4 - Anthropogenic Factors and Regional Geology
A. Soil-Water-Air Pollution
B. Global Geochemical Patterns
C. Spatial Distribution of Disease and Hazards
Unit 5 – Case Studies
ES408 Seminar Reading Summaries – Fall 2015
Introductory Reading: Bunnell et al., 2007, Medical Geology: A globally emerging discipline
Introductory Reading: Komatina, 2004, Chapter 1 - Introduction and Overview
Reading Assignment 1: Centeno et al, 2013, Environmental Pathology
Reading Assignment 2: Komatina, 2004, Anthropogenic Factors
Reading Assignment 3: Edmunds and Smedley, 1996, Groundwater Geochemistry and Health
Reading Assignment 4: Komatina, 2004, Geography of Disease
Geologic Pathways and Environmental Health
Geochemistry and Health
Iodine and Selenium
Deficiency
Radon and Lung Cancer
Arsenic and Groundwater
Fluorosis
Mercury and Lead Poisoning
Geologic Processes and Health
Dust Storms
Landslides and
Flooding
Earthquakes
Volcanic
Eruptions
Environmental Exposure
Asbestosis
Coal Dust and
Black Lung
CONCLUSION
Medical Geology is a rapidly emerging discipline that
involves aspects of Geoscience, Biogeochemistry and
Public Health.
ES408 Medical Geology at Western Oregon University is
offered as a hybrid online course involving seminar style,
self-paced reading assignments and experiential education.
ES408 Medical Geology serves as upper division electives
for WOU science students and OHSU nursing students.
For more information contact: Dr. Steve Taylor
[email protected] or visit www.wou.edu/MedGeo