Sustainable Development in Health and Ecology
Learn how to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals to promote health, wellbeing, and the prevention of diseases.
Duration
6 weeksWeekly study
2 hours100% online
How it works
Sustainable Development in Health and Ecology
Unpack the Sustainable Development Goals, focussing on SDG 3
Climate change is already impacting resources, people, and the environment. To help combat this, the UN Sustainable Development Goals offer a blueprint to help us contribute to sustainability.
On this six-week course, you’ll gain a solid introduction to the Sustainable Development Goals with a particular focus on SDG 3, which aims to promote wellbeing for all.
Through practical examples, you’ll explore different topics to understand how organisations and higher education institutions can best respond to the SDGs.
Gain an understanding of water pollution and mosquito diseases
You’ll start by unpacking sustainable development actions that can be taken to develop safe drinking water resources.
Next, you’ll explore a case study on ecology to understand water bioindicators and mosquito disease control and how this relates to several SDG targets.
Discover the harmful effects of air pollution
There are many types and sources of air pollution. On the course, you’ll unpack the definition of air pollution before exploring its harmful effects on human health such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, and cognitive functions.
Understand the relationship between sustainable development and human health
Finally, you’ll explore the correlation between sustainable development and human health issues – both physical and mental.
With this knowledge, you’ll be able to identify the SDG targets you can work toward to help promote human health and wellbeing.
Guided by the experts at Taipei Medical University, you’ll finish the course with the skills to contribute to sustainable development for both health and ecology.
Syllabus
Week 1
Introduction to Sustainable Development Goals 3
Introduction to Sustainable Development
We will briefly discuss the SDGs goal and see the course structure. TMU's professors have a medical background and we will focus more on SDG 3.
TMU's Development on SDGs
At Taipei Medical University, there are lots of works and achievements on environmental health and sanitation in order to improve human health and the environment. Watch Prof Chien introduce these projects.
Reference
In this session, we provide additional topic relates to Global Health. If you are interested, take a look at these details. Skipping them will not affect your learning.
Week 2
Water and Sanitation
Drinking Water Safety
We will explore water quality and health in this session. Water quality is crucial for maintaining human health. Prof Hu will introduce the tap water purification process.
Bioindicator and Water Quality
In the context of water quality, bioindicators can be used to monitor the health of aquatic ecosystems and the safety of drinking water. Prof Hu will introduce bioindicators in this session.
Other Bioindicators and Conclusion
Macroinvertebrates and aquatic insects can be used as bioindicators to measure water quality. Prof Hu will introduce how they could help to maintain water quality.
Week 3
Controlling Mosquito-borne Diseases
Mosquito-borne Diseases and Vector Control
Prof Chuang will introduce mosquito ecology and mosquito-borne diseases and we will discuss mosquito control. Mosquitoes are relevant to SDG 3 because of their role in transmitting diseases that can affect human health.
Mosquito Control and Insecticide Resistance in Mosquito
Various methods can be used to control mosquitoes, including the use of insecticides, biological control, and environmental management. Prof Chuang will continue to introduce mosquito control.
Week 4
Air Pollution
Source and Harmful Effect of Air Pollution
Air pollution is a complex issue that affects many aspects of sustainable development. Addressing this challenge is crucial for achieving several of the SDGs, including those related to health, water and sanitation.
Common Pollutants and Respiratory Diseases
What is the common air pollutant around our environment? Prof Chao will introduce types of pollutants and how air pollution caused respiratory diseases.
Other Research on Air Pollution
Prof Chao will introduce a few pieces of research on the impact of air pollution and conclude this week.
Week 5
Exposure Assessment and Biomonitoring
Exposure Assessment and Biomonitoring
Exposure assessment and biomonitoring are two important methods used in environmental health studies to evaluate human exposure to potentially harmful substances in the environment. Watch this session to learn more.
Interpretation of Biomonitoring Results
After measuring the levels of these substances in a person's body, how can we assess the potential risks and take steps to reduce exposure? Watch Prof Chang to explain more.
Week 6
Affective States and Health
Stress and Mental Health
We will explore the relationship between stress and emotion in this session.
Emotion and Diseases
We will explore how emotion can affect our health in this session.
Positive Mood and Health
Positive mood can affect health include reducing stress levels, improving cardiovascular health, boosting the immune system, and enhancing social connections. Find out the research results in this session.
Assessment time
This is a final review of this course. Check to see if you understand the content of each week.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explaining the meaning and examples of Sustainable Development Goal 3
- Exploring water quality and biological indicators
- Investigate air pollution and health associations
- Exploring mosquito ecology and control
- Explaining mental health issues and sustainable management
- Explain exposure assessment and biomonitoring
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone interested in public health and the development of SDGs.
It will be of particular interest to students of public health.
Who will you learn with?
Professor, Department of Public Health
Taipei Medical University
Who developed the course?
Taipei Medical University
Taipei Medical University (TMU) has been a leader in Taiwan’s healthcare system for over half a century due to its research, teaching excellence, internationalization and outstanding medical service.
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $129/one-off payment | $27.99 For the first two months. Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 18 Jul 2023 |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$27.99
For the first two months. Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$129/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 18 Jul 2023
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...
More courses you might like
Learners who joined this course have also enjoyed these courses.
Browse more in Healthcare & Medicine and Nature & Environment
