Planetary health

BIO-413 / 4 credits

Teacher(s): Banwell Nicola Mary, Blokesch Melanie, D'Angelo Giovanni, McKinney John

Language: English

Withdrawal: It is not allowed to withdraw from this subject after the registration deadline.

Summary

This course provides an overview of global environmental change through the perspective of the planetary boundaries and examines how human health is interlinked with social and ecological contexts.

Content

Students will explore key global problems such as climate change and biodiversity and their links to planetary health, including an in-depth examination of infectious diseases. The course will give an overview of bioengineering strategies to reduce environmental impacts, and the role of metabolic engineering in planetary health. From week three students will work on a group project based on a real-world planetary health challenge to identify potential solutions to this challenge.

 

The course is structured in four modules, each led by a different expert:

  • Introduction to Planetary Health and sustainability (Lecturer: Nicola Banwell)
  • Impact of Planetary Health on infectious diseases (Lecturer: Melanie Blokesch)
  • Bioengineering strategies to reduce environmental impacts (Lecturer: John McKinney)
  • Global metabolism and food industry impact on Planet Health (Lecturer: Giovanni D'Angelo)

Learning Prerequisites

Important concepts to start the course

Prior knowledge of basic concepts in biology and life sciences is strongly recommended.

 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Explain key concepts relevant to planetary health and sustainability.
  • Analyze the interdependencies between human health and environmental sustainability using a systems thinking approach.
  • Formulate appropriate questions, conceive sustainable solutions to these questions, and justify their choices in the context of planetary health and sustainability.

Transversal skills

  • Take account of the social and human dimensions of the engineering profession.
  • Take responsibility for environmental impacts of her/ his actions and decisions.
  • Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
  • Make an oral presentation.

Teaching methods

Lectures. Workshops. Group projects. Discussion rounds and exercises.

Expected student activities

  • Group project on a real-world planetary health challenge
  • Complete written exercises
  • Participate in class discussions

Assessment methods

Continuous control during the semester

In the programs

  • Semester: Fall
  • Number of places: 40
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Planetary health
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Number of places: 40
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Planetary health
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Number of places: 40
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Planetary health
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional

Reference week

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