Environmental Impacts on Health and Disease

Overview

Academic Lead: Dr Stavroula Kanoni

This summer school will provide clear understanding of the different types of environmental exposures that are related with pathogenic mechanisms of human diseases. The first section will review the natural environment (land, water, air, energy) and its impact on health indicators as well as nutritional content of food and nutraceuticals. The second section will focus on the built environment (housing, urban vs. rural landscapes, transport, work) and the relation of our living conditions with health outcomes. The third section will review the effects of the psychosocial environment (mental health, stress, socialization, financial status) on the public health. The fourth section will expand on the microenvironment features (microbiome) and the epigenetic effects (gene-by-environment interactions) that modulate disease mechanisms. The final section of the course will focus on the combined and synergistic impact of all different types of the environment on health indicators. It will also showcase the added value of multidisciplinary approaches to evaluate the combined impact of environment on health and disease.

2023 Environment and Health Syllabus [PDF 94KB]

Course content is subject to change.

Course aims

The course aims to provide an introduction in key areas of  environment and health and enable students to understand the interplay of different environmental exposures with human health. 

Teaching and learning

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical workshops and field trips. 

Learning outcomes

You will gain:

• Understand fundamental principles of the environmental effects on human health
• Evaluate the different types of environmental exposures
• Appraise and interpret the role of the environment as a key factor in pathogenic mechanisms of human disease
• Fundamental knowledge in the area of environment and health

You will be able to:

• Display skills in summarizing and disseminating results in oral and written communication
• Demonstrate skill in critical appraisal and analysis of the scientific literature and the ability to judge and interpret methods and results
• Integrate information from a variety of sources to construct a coherent presentation on a scientific topic 
• Engage and communicate effectively with diverse communities including the lay public and professionals involved in research and clinical practice
• Adapt the principles of environmental health and critical evidence-based discovery to new and unfamiliar settings  

Fees

The Queen Mary Summer School costs: £2,100 per session, which includes tuition and social program. 

We offer a 10% discount to:

• Students and staff from partner institutions
• Alumni
• Current Queen Mary students 
• Anyone who is accepted into the program and pays before the 31st of March

Accommodation

The cost of accommodation is £1029 per session. For further information, please visit our accommodation page.

Additional costs and course excursions

There may be additional costs for field trips, such as entry to exhibitions, which will be in the region of £30.
All reading material will be provided online, so it is not necessary to purchase any books.

Please note there is no deposit payment required for the Queen Mary Summer School.

Entry requirements

We welcome Summer School students from around the world. We accept a range of qualifications:

• if your home institution uses the four-point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale, we usually require a 3.0 GPA
• if your home institution uses the letter scale, you will need to have a B+

We welcome international qualifications and we consider every application individually on its academic merit. 

English language requirements

All of our courses are taught and assessed in English. If English isn’t your first language, you must meet one of the following English Language requirements in order to join

• If you hold a degree from a majority English speaking country plus Canada you may use this degree to satisfy the English language requirements for entry, provided the degree was completed no more than 5 years before the start date of the course to which you are applying.
• IELTS, 7 overall or higher
• TOEFL Internet Based Test we require a minimum of 100 (L22; S25; R24; W27)
• China UEE (University Entrance Exam) -  110
• CET 4 – 550 or CET 6 – 490
• PTE Academic 68
• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English 185 70- grade C (old marking system)
• Applicants with an alternative qualification should check it is equivalent to the above or contact us at summerschool@qmul.ac.uk

How to apply

Applications are now open!

Have a question? Get in touch - one of the team will be happy to help!

Applications close 29 May 2023.