GEOE543 MEDICAL GEOLOGY
| Course Code: | 5640543 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (3.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 8.0 |
| Department: | Geological Engineering |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Masters |
| Course Coordinator: | |
| Offered Semester: | Fall or Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
By the end of the course the students will comprehend advanced concepts in
- relationship between geologic materials such as rocks and minerals and human health
- identification of geochemical anomalies in soils, sediments, and water that may impact on health
- identfication of the environmental causes of known health problems and, in collaboration with biomedical/public health researchers, seek solutions to prevent or minimize these problems.
- evaluation of the beneficial health affects of geologic materials and process.
- reassurance of the public when there are unwarranted environmental health concerns deriving from geologic materials or processes.
- linking between developed and developing countries to find solutions for environmental health problems.
Course Content
Relations between minerals, health, and the geologic environment; methods for mineral characterization in the biological field; surface thermodynamic properties of silicates and their interactions with biological materials; geological environment and health, toxicity of environment pollutants, pollutant metal sources.
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course the students will be able to understand
- toxic levels of trace essential and non-essential elements
- the exposure to natural dusts and to radioactivity; naturally occurring organic compounds in drinking water; volcanic emissions, etc.
- some aspects of industrial pollution and occupational health problems
- significance of geological materials and methods to humankind