The class combined the students who began the program in 1997, as their third and completing course, and incoming freshmen, who were taking Environmental Health as their first course in the program. In this course, we explored the importance of microorganisms in the history of Earth and the power of these miniscule structures in today's world. We delved into the mysteries of the cell and its remarkable structure, and looked at the human body and how it has withstood past and present harsh environments. We learned how our air, water, the food we eat and the materials we wear affect our health and well-being.

In laboratory sessions, the class learned about methods used to study microorganisms and about the ubiquity of bacteria and fungi by doing environmental culturing. Other labs focused on studying the inhibitory effects of natural and chemical additives to foods; learning how to perform coliform counts to test for water pollution; and contruction of filtration systems for primary water treatment. Two lab session were devoted to exploring use of the computer to design models for the prediction of the outcomes of epidemics.

Field trips this semester allowed the class to see science in action, protecting the wellbeing of people at local and national levels. The first trip was to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Washington, DC, to learn how this governmental organization affects our health safety. We then toured several sites on the CUA campus where the Environmental Safety Department introduced us to ways that the university is making our local environment --- and several other places around the country --- less toxic areas in which to live. The third trip was another off-campus visit, this time to the Blue Plains Water Treatment Facility. Although this site was probably most memorable for its initial disgusting sites and odors, most of the class came away with an understanding for all that is necessary to recycle our waste water and make it available for reuse by the community, and an appreciation to see one of the premier water treatment systems in the world in action. The concluding field trip for the course was an on site field trip by Dr. Paul Kirby and his associates from Sitek Laboratories in Gaithersburg, MD. These folks introduced the class to two methods used to test for safety of chemicals and devices destined for human use. Toxicity was demonstrated by two means, the Ames test, a bacterial genetic study test; and by chromosomal aberration, a method to examine genetic changes within mammalian cells.

The following table will allow the reader to examine all of the class activities in detail, including lecture notes; vocabulary; study questions; lab exercises and some of the outcomes; field trip reports --- some with photographs. Explore the many facets of this very busy course!

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