College or Unit

Course#

Title, Time and Teacher

Course Description

A&LS

AEM 250

Environmental and Resource Economics

Spring 3 credits G.L. Poe

The objectives of this course are to introduce fundamental economic principles and the "economic approach" to policy issues, and to demonstrate how these concepts underpin contemporary environmental and natural resource issues and policy solutions. Subjects include valuation, benefit-cost analysis, policy design, property rights, and ecological economics. These tools are used to explore major current policy issues such as economic incentives in environmental policy, endangered species protection, air and water pollution, depletion of renewable and non-renewable resources, and global warming.

A&LS

AEM 417

Decision Models for Small and Large Businesses

Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisites: AEM 210 or equivalents. C. L. van Es.

The course is focused on economic and statistical models of decision analysis and their application in large and small business settings. It will be shown how use of models can improve the decision process by helping the decision- maker: understand the structure of the decision, incorporate subjective probabilities as a way to portray risk, measure outcomes in a way that is consistent with attitudes toward risk, and understand the value of information. The importance of sensitivity analysis will be emphasized, as well as the need to combine both quantitative and qualitative considerations in decision-making. Cases will be drawn from small business scenarios, the public policy arena, and corporate settings. Implementing decision models with computers will be the focus of lab sessions.

A&LS

AEM 451

Environmental Economics (also listed as Econ 409)

Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisites: ECON 313, or intermediate microeconomics course, and calculus. Limited to undergraduate students. S-U grades optional. G. L. Poe.

This course explores the economic foundations for public decision making about environmental commodities and natural resources, using tools from intermediate microeconomics. Emphasis is placed on the welfare economic approach for allocating public goods, with specific emphasis on market failure, externalities, benefit-cost analysis, and the use of nonmarket valuation techniques. Property rights/institutional perspectives and ecological economic concepts will also be examined.

A&LS

AEM 630

Policy Analysis: Welfare Theory, Agriculture, and Trade (also listed as Econ 430)

Spring. 4 credits. Prerequisites: AEM 608 or PAM 603, ECON 313, or equivalent intermediate micro theory incorporating calculus. H. de Gorter.

The first half of the course surveys the theory of welfare economics as a foundation for public policy analysis. Major issues addressed include the problem of social welfare measurement, the choice of welfare criteria, and the choice of market or nonmarket allocation. Basic concepts covered include measurement of welfare change, including the compensation principle, consumer and producer surplus, willingness-to-pay measures, externalities, and the general theory of second-best optima. The second half of the course focuses on public policy analysis as applied to domestic agricultural policy and international trade. The domestic policy component examines major U.S. farm commodity programs and related food and macroeconomic policies and analyzes their effects on producers, consumers, and other groups. The international trade component examines the structure of world agricultural trade, analytical concepts of trade policy analysis, and the principal trade policies employed by countries in international markets.

A&LS

AEM 651

Environmental and Resource Economics

Spring. 4 credits. Limited to graduate students. W. D. Schulze.

A review of welfare economics, environmental externalities, and common property resources, and a survey of current environmental and natural resource policy. Techniques for measuring benefits and cost--including property value and wage hedonic approaches, travel cost models, and contingent valuation--are covered. Survey/data collection methods are described in detail. Explore innovative market mechanisms for resolving public good, common property, and externality problems. Students will be required to complete a paper describing their own formal economic analysis of a natural resource or environmental problem. Open to graduate students outside of economics. AEM 651 is a core course for the Environmental Management concentration/option.

A&LS

AEM 712

Quantitative Methods I

Fall. 4 credits. Prerequisite: some formal training in matrix algebra. A course at the level of BTRY 417 is highly recommended. R. N. Boisvert

A comprehensive treatment of linear programming and its extensions, including postoptimality analysis. Topics in nonlinear programming, including separable, spatial equilibrium and risk programming models. Input-output models and their role in social accounting matrices and computable general equilibrium models are discussed.

Applications are made to agricultural, resource, and regional economic problems.

A&LS

ALS 500

Politics and Policy: Theory, Research, and Practice (also listed as AMST 501 and PAM 406)

Students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences must register for ALS 500. S. Jackson and staff.
Applications are made through the Cornell-in-Washington office, 311 Caldwell Hall. See also NTRES 402.

This course, taught in Washington, D.C., forms the core of the public policy option of the Cornell-in-Washington Program. The central course objective is to provide students with the instruction and guidance necessary to analyze and evaluate their own chosen issue in public policy. Toward that end, the course has three components: (1) weekly lectures providing background on the structures and processes of national politics and policy as well as training in research methodology; (2) student externships; and (3) individual research papers or projects. All three components interrelate to provide students with a strategy and framework for integrating classroom-based learning, field experience, and individual research.

A&LS

ALS 661

Environmental Policy (also listed as Biology and Society 461 and BioEE 661)

Fall and spring. 3 credits each term. (Students must register for 6 credits each term since an "R" grade is given at the end of the fall term.) Limited to 12 students. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Sem R 2:30-4:30 p.m. D. Pimentel.

This course focuses on complex environmental issues. Ten to twelve students, representing several disciplines, investigate significant environmental problems. The research team spends two semesters preparing a scientific report for publication in Science or BioScience. Thus far, every study has been published.

A&LS

BTRY 408

Theory and Probability (also listed as STBTRY 408)

Fall. 4 credits. Prerequisite: MATH 111, 112, 213, 231 or equivalents. Lec. MWF 10:10-11 Sec M 3:35-5:00

An introduction to probability theory: axiomatic foundations; combinatorics and equally likely events; conditional probability and independence; discrete and continuous random variables, their distributions and moments; generating functions; transformations; extensions to problems involving two or more random variables; random samples. Can serve as either one-semester introduction or a foundation for a course in statistical theory. At least one introductory course in statistical methods is additionally recommended but not required.

A&LS

BTRY 409

Theory of Statistics (also listed as STBTRY 409)

Spring. 4 credits. Prerequisite: BTRY 408, at least 1 introductory course in statistics. Lec MWF 10:10-11:00 Sec M 3:35-5:00

An introduction to classical theory of parametric statistical inference that builds on the material covered in BTRY 408. Topics include sampling distributions, principles of data reduction, likelihood, parameter estimation, hypothesis testing, interval estimation, and basic asymptotic theory.

A&LS

BTRY 601

Statistical Methods I (also listed as STBTRY 601)

Fall and summer. 4 credits. Limited to graduate students; others by permission of the instructor. Lec MWF 12:20-1:10 Sec M or T 2:30-4, M or T 7:30-9, T 10:10-11:40

Statistical methods are developed and used to analyze data arising from a wide variety of applications. Topics include descriptive statistics, point and interval estimation, hypothesis testing, inference for a single population, comparisons between two populations, one- and two-way analysis of variance, comparisons among population means, analysis of categorical data, and correlation and regression analysis. Interactive computing is introduced through MINITAB statistical software. Emphasis is on basic principles and criteria for selection of statistical techniques.

A&LS

BTRY 602

Statistical Methods II (also listed as STBTRY 602)

Spring. 4 credits. Limited to graduate students; others by permission of instructor. Prerequisite: BTRY 601 or equivalent. Lec. MWF 11:15-12:05, Sec. M 1-2:45, 7:30-9:25, T 1-2:45

A continuation of BTRY 601. Emphasis is on the use of multiple regression analysis, analysis of variance, and related techniques to analyze data in a variety of situations. Topics include an introduction to data collection techniques; least squares estimation; multiple regression; model selection techniques; detection of influential points, goodness-of-fit criteria; principles of experimental design; analysis of variance for a number of designs, including multi-way factorial, nested, and split plot designs; comparing two or more regression lines; and analysis of covariance. Emphasis is on appropriate design of studies prior to data collection, and the appropriate application and interpretation of statistical techniques. For practical applications, computing is done with the MINITAB and SAS statistical packages.

A&LS

COMM 352

Science Writing for the Mass Media (also listed as S&TS 352)

Spring. 3 credits. Not open to freshmen. Limited to 24 students. Prerequisite: one college-level writing course. M W 9:05; Lab W 12:20-2:15. B. Lewenstein.

How to write about science, technology, and medicine for the mass media. Discussion topics include accuracy, simplicity, comprehensiveness, risk communication, and the history and social structure of science. Writing assignments focus on writing news and feature stories for newspapers and magazines, with excursions into newsletters, radio, TV, and other media.

A&LS

COMM 421

Communication and the Environment

Spring. 3 credits. T R 10:10-11:25. J. Shanahan. Offered odd-numbered years.

Students will investigate how values, attitudes, social structure, and communication affect public perceptions of environmental risk and public opinion about the environment. A primary focus will be mass media's impact in public perceptions of the environment, how the media portray the environment, and discussion of the implications of public consumption of environmental content.

A&LS

COMM 486 & 686

Risk Communication

Spring. 3 credits. C. Scherer. Lec. TR 1:25-2:15 Lab R 2:30-4:25

An examination of theory and research related to the communication of scientific information about environmental, agricultural, food, health, and nutritional risks. Course will concentrate on social theories related to risk perception and behavior. Case studies involving pesticide residues, waste management, water quality, environmental hazards, and personal health behaviors will be examined. Emphasis will be placed on understanding, applying, and developing theories of risk communication. Lectures concurrent with grad level COMM 686.

A&LS

EAS 268

Climate and Global Warming

Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisite: basic college math. S-U grades optional. Lecs, M W F 9:05. A. T. DeGaetano.

Students from a range of disciplines become familiarized with such contemporary issues in climatology as global warming and El Niño. Introductions to the natural greenhouse effect, past climates, observed and projected climate changes and impacts. Also natural climate variations (e.g. El Niño) and their consequences and predictability. Weekly student-led discussions of issues appearing in journals such as Nature.

A&LS

EAS 435

Statistical Methods in Meteorology and Climatology

Fall. 3 credits. Prerequisites: 1 introductory course each in statistics (e.g., AEM 210) and calculus. T R 10:10-11:25. D. S. Wilks

Statistical methods used in climatology, operational weather forecasting, and selected meteorological research applications. Includes some statistical characteristics of meteorological data including probability distributions and correlation structures. Covers operational forecasts derived from multiple regression models including the MOS system. Also covers forecast verification techniques and scoring rules, time series analysis, EOFs, and other research topics as time permits.

A&LS

EAS 457

Atmospheric Air Pollution

Fall. 3 credits. Prerequisites: EAS 341 or 1 course in thermodynamics, and 1 semester of chemistry, or permission of instructor. M W F 11:15-12:05. Offered alternate years. M. W. Wysocki.

Course examines sources, effects, transport, measurement, and controls of air pollution. The basic principles in each area are discussed with an emphasis on their local, regional, and global impacts.

A&LS

ENTOM 370

Pesticides, the Environment, and Human Health (also listed as TOX 370)

Fall. 2 credits. Prereq.: BIO 101-102 or equiv. Alternate years (next offered Fall 2002). T R 9:05. J. G. Scott

A survey of the different types of pesticides, their uses, properties, and effects on the environment. Discussion of the risks, benefits, regulation, politics, and current controversies associated with pesticide use.

A&LS

ENTOM 490

Toxicology of Insecticides
(also listed as TOX 490)

Spring. 3 credits. Prereq: general chemistry. S-U grades opt. Alternate years. M W F 9:05. J. G. Scott.

The history, metabolism, and mechanism of action of genetically modified, synthetic and naturally occurring insecticides. Insecticide resistance, resistance management, and new approaches to insect control with genetically modified organisms are discussed.

A&LS

FOOD 396

Food Safety Assurance

Spring. 2 credits. Prerequisite: MICRO 290 or permission of instructor. Offered alternate years. T R 9:05-9:55. R. B. Gravani. Next offered 2003.

This course provides information on procedures to control biological, chemical, and physical hazards and assure the safety of foods. Topics include discussions on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) programs, total quality management, and the application of current technologies in reducing the incidence of foodborne illness. Case studies and exercises will be used to demonstrate and apply the key principles that are discussed.

A&LS

NTRES 320

Principles of Toxicology (also listed as TOX 320)

Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisites: 1 yr. chemistry, 1 yr. biology (w/ lab); 1 sem. Organic Chemistry.TR 2:55-4:10. J.W. Gillett.

This introductory lecture course in human and environmental toxicology emphasizes basic principles (exposure, dose-response, effects) involved with pesticides, hazardous wastes, and natural products. Science-based assessments for risk analysis and policy are integrated with other considerations. Guest speakers and extensive case studies augment lectures and student team exercises applied to management.

A&LS

NTRES 402

Environmental and Natural Resources Policy Processes (Cornell-in-Washington)

Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisites: junior standing; special application process, and course fee (approx. $380). Lec, January 12-day intersession; three 2-hour orientation sessions in fall semester and four 2-hour sessions in February and March. Completed applications due by October 10. Applications are available by contacting map10@cornell.edu or at http://www.dnr.cornell.edu/courses/course.html. B. A. Knuth.

An introduction to the environmental policy process and its conceptual framework. Recognizing and defining natural resource or environmental problems and issues; aggregating interests; formulating and selecting alternative solutions; implementation and evaluation stages; roles of lobbyists, legislature, executive branch, and other actors. Case studies; presentations by and discussions with about twenty prominent Washington policy makers appearing as guest lecturers. Required interviews, term paper, and oral reports. Several meetings in Ithaca before and after intensive January session in Washington.

A&LS

NTRES 406

Ecology Risk Assessment (also listed as TOX 406)

Fall. 3 credits. Prereq: BIOES 261 or equiv; permission of instructor if not an advanced student in natural sciences of engineering. M W F 11:15-12:05. J. W. Gillett.

This course strives to develop understanding of and competence in the different types of ecological (nonhuman health) risk assessments based on USEPA principles and methods. Focus is on cases for chemical, physical, and biological stressors in a variety of circumstances.

A&LS

NTRES 428

Landscape Impact Analysis

Spring. 3 credits. Prereq.: 1 intro. course in ecology or equivalent and junior standing; 1 advanced course in ecology or equivalent. T R 1:25-2:40. B. Bedford.

This course presents ecological concepts and analytical tools needed to evaluate environmental impacts to natural resources and ecosystems within an integrated context that incorporates the landscapes in which these resources occur. It explores diverse conceptual frameworks for landscape impact analysis and exposes students to modern tools for evaluating landscapes.

A&LS

NTRES 459

Wildlife Population Analysis: Techniques & Models

Spring 3 credits. Prerequisites: NTRES 305 (or equivalent, or by permission of instructor), a college-level math or statistics class. Lecture/lab: 2-week intensive course (M T W R F morning lectures, afternoon labs) in January with follow-up meetings during the spring semester.

This course will explore the theory and application of a variety of statistical techniques in the study of population dynamics. We will cover the use of capture-recapture and recovery analysis to estimate survival probability, abundance (and density), immigration, emigration, population change (lambda), and sensitivity analysis using open and closed population models. We will also examine inference methods including covariate analysis and model selection. Covers aspects of population viability and risk assessment.

A&LS

NTRES 607

Ecotoxicology (also listed as TOX 607)

Next offered Spring 2004. 3 credits. Prerequisites: graduate or senior status and two 300-level courses in chemistry, biological science, or toxicology. Offered alternate even years. M W F 11:15-12:05. J. W. Gillett.

Lectures, readings, and special guests focus on the principles of effects of toxic chemicals on natural ecosystems, their components, and processes. Major topics include fate and transport of chemicals (chemodynamics), comparative biochemical toxicology, ecosystem process analysis, simulation through mathematical and physical (microcosm) models, and relationships to regulation and environmental management.

A&LS

NTRES 698

Current Topics: Environmental Toxicology (also listed as TOX 698)

Fall, spring. 1-3 credits. Prerequisites: graduate or senior standing in scientific discipline and permission of instructor.

A student-faculty colloquium on subjects of current interest, usually focusing on multidisciplinary aspects of topical problems (e.g., Superfund, oil spills).

A&LS

PL PA 101

Freshman Writing Seminar: Pests, Pesticides, People, and Politics

Spring. 3 credits. Limited to 17 students. Not offered spring 2003. M W F 8:00.

This seminar examines the use of pesticides, their impact on human health and the environment, and their regulation. Beginning with Rachael Carson's classic Silent Spring, we will examine many facets of the pesticide controversy through readings in current popular literature, technical journals, government documents, industry propaganda, and publications of various so-called "public interest groups." We will emphasize the need for critical thinking as we explore the power of the written word to persuade.

A&LS

RSOC 324

Environment and Society (also listed as Science and Technology Studies 324, Sociology 324)

Spring or summer. 3 credits. Enrollment limited to 100. M W F 2:55-4:10. C. Caron.

The main objective of the course is to develop a critical understanding of the dominant trends in modern U.S. environmental thought like preservationism, conservationism, deep ecology, ecofeminism, social ecology, NIMBYism, risk assessment, and environmental equity. Another objective is to familiarize students with some major contemporary substantive environmental problems and policies. These topics include air and water quality, public lands management, biodiversity, deforestation, climate change, and ozone depletion. A sociological framework is applied to evaluate interrelationships of substantive and philosophical/theoretical issues.

A&LS

RSOC 440

The Social Impact of Resource Development (also listed as AIS 440)

Spring. 3 credits. Offered alternate years. Not offered Spring 2003. C. C. Geisler.

This seminar explores social impact assessment applications in different parts of the world paying particular attention to impacts on native/indigenous peoples.

A&S

S&TS 101

Science and Technology In The Public Arena

Fall. 3 credits. J. Reppy.

An introduction to public policy issues involving developments in science and technology. We study such topics as secrecy and national security, the politics of expertise, public understanding of science, computers and privacy, and the management of risk. We apply concepts from the field of science and technology studies to analyze how issues are framed and public policy produced.

A&S

S&TS 427

Politics of Environmental Protection In America (also listed as Govt 427)

Spring. 4 credits. S.Yearley.

This course provides an introduction to the distinctive features of environmental politics and policy-making. Using comparisons between North America and Europe, the course will focus particularly on the contributions of science, citizen activism and law to framing and resolving policy problems. Readings from political science, policy analysis, sociology, and law examine the changing political roles of national and international political bodies, courts, expert agencies, and regional/state governments, as well as industry and public interest groups, in environmental politics since the late 1970's. Case studies of contemporary environmental controversies--some at the national and some at the "global" level--are used to explore competing public conceptions of nature and environment, risk and safety, regulatory costs and benefits, and the goals and instruments of environmental policy.

AAP

CRP 380

Environmental Politics

Fall. 4 credits. R. Booth.

Examines the politics of public decisions affecting the environment. Focuses on the roles played by different political actors, the powers of various interest groups, methods for influencing environmental decisions, and the political and social impacts of those decisions.

AAP

CRP 444

Resource Management and Environmental Law (also listed as CRP 544 and NTRES 444)

Spring. 4 credits. R.S. Booth. Letter grade. Open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students or by permission of instructor.

This course introduces the application of legal concepts and processes to the management of natural resources and natural resource areas. It explores the role of the common law, statutory law, administrative regulations, and judicial decisions in managing these resources. Particular focus is given to the management of wildlife, wetlands, and critical resources on public lands, and to the conflicts inherent in government attempts to regulate important natural resources on private lands.

AAP

CRP 451

Environmental Law (also listed as CRP 551)

Fall. 4 credits. R.S. Booth.

An introduction to how the legal system handles environmental problems. Study of federal statutes such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act, and of important judicial decisions that have been handed down under federal environmental statutes and regulations. Discussion of environmental law topics from a policy management perspective. This course is designed for undergraduate and graduate students interested in urban issues, planning, natural resources, government, environmental engineering, law, business, architecture, landscape architecture, etc. Course assignments for graduate students will differ in some aspects from those for undergraduates.

AAP

CRP 546

Introduction to Community and Environmental Dispute Resolution

Fall. 3 credits. J. Forester

This course will explore the theories and techniques of dispute resolution as they apply to community, environmental, and related public policy disputes. Analysis will complement skill-building. Issues of power, participation, and strategy are central to our examinations of negotiation and mediation practice.

AAP

CRP 621

Quantitative Techniques For Policy Analysis and Program Management

Spring. 4 credits. D. Lewis.

Selected analytical techniques used in the planning and evaluation of public policy and public investments are examined. Topics include simulation modeling, benefit-cost and cost-effectiveness analysis (including capital budgeting), and optimization strategies.

BioSci

BIOEE 261

Ecology and The Environment

Fall or summer. 4 credits. Prerequisite: one year of introductory biology. S-U grades optional. M W F 11:15; disc, W or R 1:25, 2:30, or 3:35. A.S. Flecker and J. P. Sparks.

We explore the interactions between the environment and organisms as individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems. The emphasis is on basic ecological principles and processes that are generally useful in understanding the world around us and in more advanced studies in the environmental sciences, including management-oriented disciplines. Major topics include adaptive strategies of organisms, population dynamics, species interactions, community structure and function, biodiversity, biogeochemistry, and productivity. Human influences on ecosystems, human-created ecosystems (agricultural and urban ecosystems), and sustainable practices are covered.

BioSci

BIOPL 240

Green World/Blue Planet

Spring. 3 credits. S-U grades optional. T R 1:25-2:40. K. J. Niklas, E.R. Turgeon and T.G. Owen. Not offered 2003.

The course focuses on helping individuals understand how scientific information relates to the issues they face as citizens, in management decision making, and in public policy. To what extent should genetic engineering of crop plants be permitted? Should we place limits on fossil fuel consumption as a means of limiting global warming and global climate change? Must human endeavors be restricted in certain areas to maintain diversity? The format of this course is interactive, with lectures and discussions about how we as a society deal with controversial issues.

Eng

CEE 597

Risk Analysis and Management

Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisite: An introduction to Probability and Statistics course such as: CEE 304, ENGRD 270, ILSRT 210, BTRY 261 or AEM (ARME) 210; and two semesters of calculus. J. R. Stedinger.

Course develops a working knowledge of risk terminology and reliability engineering, analytic tools used to analyze environmental and technological risks, and social and psychological risk issues. Discussions address life risks in the U.S., transportation risks, waste incineration, air pollution modeling, public health, regulatory policy, risk communication, and risk management.

Eng

CEE 598

Introduction to Decision Analysis

Fall and Spring. 3 credits. R. Davidson

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• use a new approach and framework to structure the way they think about decision situations that are complicated by uncertainty, complexity, and competing objectives
• apply specific decision analysis concepts and tools to help them make those decisions

The course is primarily a prescriptive discussion of the way that decisions should be made; rather than a descriptive explanation of the way that decisions generally are made.

GSM

NBA572

Environmental Management Policy

Fall. 1.5 credits. D. Chapman.

The seminar assists participants in remaining current with the rapidly evolving state of the art in the analysis and management of environmental policy and practice in enterprises. Although focused on the private sector, attention is given to understanding the economic basis for government's role in environmental protection. Another focus is the analysis of the operational significance of the concepts of sustainability, and ecoefficiency, and market-based environmental policies. Seminar speakers from finance, marketing, electricity, forest products, construction, and other businesses with environmental responsibilities meet with the class. Readings and Harvard Business School (HBS) case studies are distributed throughout the semester. Each student makes a case study of an individual enterprise or organization.

GSM

NBA 577

The Political, Legal, and Regulatory Environment of Business

Spring. 3 credits. R. Schuler.

The political climate, laws, regulations and government arrange for infrastructure have a profound effect on the nature, operation, and profitability of business. Many of the most important decisions that top management makes are driven by political, legal, and regulatory considerations (e.g., the responses of Exxon to the Exxon Valdez oil spill and Union Carbide to the Bhopal, India, gas leak and the decision of AT&T to accept the division of its company in response to an antitrust suit filed by the United States government). Environmental and waste-management concerns are leading to new laws and regulations that will affect many aspects of business well into the next century, creating opportunities as well as posing problems. The course begins with a discussion of the political and economic foundations of business regulation. Students examine different areas of application, including economic regulation, environmental regulation, antitrust, and product liability. Guest speakers include leading scholars from throughout the university and business and government leaders.

HumEc

PAM 230

Introduction To Policy Analysis

Fall or spring. 3 credits. R. Avery, J. Gerner.

Policy analysis is an interdisciplinary field that uses theories, concepts, and methods from disciplines such as economics, sociology, and political science to address substantive issues in the public policy arena. Students will be introduced to the functions of and interactions between the major institutions (public and private) at the national, state, and local level involved in the policy making process. The course will focus on public policy analysis in the consumer, health, and family/social welfare areas and will also include an introduction to the technical skills required to undertake policy analysis.

HumEc

PAM 303

Ecology and Epidemiology of Health

Spring. 3 credits. S-U grades optional. Limited to 50 students. E. Rodriguez.

Ecological and epidemiological approaches to the problems which restrict human health within the physical, social, and mental environment. The course introduces epidemiological methods to the students and surveys the epidemiology of specific diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis, Legionnaires' disease, plague, cancer, herpes, and chlamydia. Application of epidemiology to health care will be discussed.

HumEc

PAM 423

Risk Management and Policy

Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Econ 101 and a course in statistics. Enrollment limited to 80. S. Tennyson.

The objective of this course is to provide students with a broad understanding of risk management problems and solutions, a greater appreciation of the importance of risk and risk regulation in our society, and increased comprehension of the complexities of making decisions about risk. Topics covered include alternative ways to define and measure risk, the importance of risk-tradeoffs, and models of decision making under risk. With this background, alternative approaches to risk management are discussed, including insurance, noninsurance financing alternatives, and loss control. The impact on risk management of the legal liability system and government programs, laws and policies are also considered.

HumEc

PAM 601

Policy Process and Theory

Fall. 3 credits. R. Swisher

This course introduces students to the policy process model, of goal setting and problem formulation, identification of policy alternatives, cost-benefit analysis and policy selection, implementation, monitoring, and feedback. At each stage, we read and discuss theoretical contributions from across the social sciences and political philosophy, that help to contextualize and "socially embed" this mainstream, micro-economics driven model. Such contributions include: notions of bounded-rationality, satisficing, incrementalism, and muddling-through from organizational behavior; heuristics and biases from social psychology; theories of justice from political philosophy; habitus and other pragmatic logics from anthropology; and concepts such as bureaucracy, power, status, symbolic interaction, and social learning from sociology and psychology.

HumEc

PAM 602

Measurement and Validity In Policy Analysis and Management

Spring. 3 credits. E. Rodriguez.

This course provides an introduction to the theoretical foundations of validity in applied social research, basic probabilistic and nonprobabilistic sampling methods, survey research methods (including questionnaires, interviews, and scaling), and other practical inquiry methods required for valid inferences.

HumEc

PAM 616

Strategies For Policy and Program Evaluation

Fall. 3 credits. Prerequisites: PAM 612 and 613 or 617 or equivalent. W. Trochim. Not offered 2002.

This course examines a wide range of approaches to the evaluation of policies and programs in the human services. The approaches are examined with respect to their purposes, key audiences, and methodologies, as well as their philosophical, political, and value frameworks. Analysis of commonalities and differences across evaluation approaches are used to judge the appropriateness of a given strategy for a particular context.

ILR

ILR 345

Health Hazards Identification and Evaluation in the Workplace

Fall or spring. 3 credits. Staff.

Students will learn about the many work site health hazards including toxic chemicals, biological agents, radiation, and electromagnetic fields. Routes of exposure, acute and chronic health effects, and the bases of regulatory exposure limits such as TLV's and OSHA PEL's will be discussed. Basic hazard evaluation and information gathering techniques will familiarize students with available resources for evaluating work site conditions.

ILR

ILR 346

Introduction to Industrial Hygiene: Hazard Evaluation and Control

Fall or spring. 3 credits. Staff.

This course builds on the knowledge acquired in both the safety hazard and health hazard courses to provide students with greater mastery of hazard evaluation and control methods. (Students are encouraged to complete the health hazard and safety hazard courses before taking industrial hygiene.) It will provide practical, hands-on training in evaluating potential worksite hazards. Students will learn about environmental monitoring methods such as air sampling and become familiar with the commonly used equipment. They will also learn to interpret and evaluate monitoring data provided by professional testers.

NutrSci

NS 451

Epidemiology and Health of Human Communities

Fall. 3 credits. Prerequisite: one semester of statistics (can be taken concurrently). M W F 1:25. E. Frongillo.

Examines through a series of case studies, the role of epidemiological investigation in understanding, assessing, and improving the health and nutrition of human communities and populations. Students will read and discuss scientific research and public policy literature on specific topics of current interest. Emphasis is on the conceptualization of epidemiology as an ecological science that studies the interdependence and interaction of humans with their social, cultural, and physical environment. Intended for advanced undergraduates and graduate students with an interest in health, human biology, nutrition, or epidemiology.

NutrSci

NS 475

Mechanisms Underlying Mammalian Developmental Defects (also listed as BIOAP 475)

Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisites: BIOBM 330, 331-332 or 333 (may be taken concurrently). Lec M W 9:05, lab R 2:00. D. Noden, P. Stover.

Developmental defects are present in nearly 5% of humans. Drawing upon current research, this course explores the causes of birth defects, emphasizing the interplay between genetic and environmental factors in the regulation of developmental processes. Emphasis is on nutritional disruptors, teratogens, and regulatory gene networks that are well characterized through animal studies and are associated with morphological, physiological, reproductive, or behavioral abnormalities in humans.

NutrSci

NS 637

Epidemiology of Nutrition

Spring. 3 credits. Limited to graduate students. Prerequisites: Biometry 601 and concurrent registration in Biometry 602 or equivalent knowledge. Basic knowledge about the nutritional aspects of growth and development and about nutritional biochemistry. J-P. Habicht. T 3-5

This course covers principles of nutritional epidemiology, impact assessment of nutrition intervention programs, and nutritional surveillance. Principles of using nutritional information in decision making are presented. The course shows how the biochemistry and physiology of nutrition can be related to epidemiological assessment and research strategies.

NutrSci

NS 651

Food and Nutrition Action in a Social Context.

Spring. 3 credits. Prerequisites: at least 1 course in social sciences; NS 650 strongly recommended. S-U grades only. T R 1:25-2:40. D. Pelletier, G. Pelto. Not offered 2003.

This course builds upon the perspectives developed in NS 650. It provides a framework for combining socio-political considerations and analytical criteria in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of nutrition actions at community and policy levels. Case studies from the United States and developing countries are used extensively for examining a wide range of nutrition actions from the perspective of this integrated framework.

NutrSci

NS 702

Seminars in Toxicology (also listed as TOX 702)

Fall/Spring. 1 Credit. S/U only. F 12:20 Staff.

The seminar program covers varied topics in biochemical, genetic, nutritional, veterinary, and regulatory toxicology, ecotoxicology, and environmental chemistry. Included are presentations of basic research studies, fundamental concepts, and research activities involving environmental problems of a toxicological nature. Presentations are given by speakers from Cornell and visitors.

NutrSci

NS 607

Nutrition As An Integrating Discipline: Concepts and Paradigms

Fall. 3 credits. Prerequisite: some prior coursework or experience in nutrition, or permission of the instructor. M W F 10:10. M. Kazarinoff, J.P. Habicht and division faculty.

An overview course for beginning graduate students which introduces them to the full breadth of nutritional science disciplines, including quantitative and qualitative sciences. Also suitable for seniors as an integrating course. The course presents concepts and paradigms of molecular biology, biochemistry, clinical nutrition, epidemiology, anthropology, economics, program planning and administration, policy development, and ethics. This semester the course uses Vitamin A as the example. Emphasis will be placed on the integration of factual and conceptual knowledge to solve nutrition problems in human societies.

Vet

TOX 680

Hazardous Waste Toxicology

Fall/Spring. 0.5 Credit. S/U only. W 12:20-2:30 R. Dietert. 300 Rice Hall.

A course designed to expose graduate student researchers to the breadth of scientific and technological considerations involved with Hazardous Waste Sites. The course will include guest lecturers, on-site visits, student tutorials, and peer teaching opportunities. Specific course content will vary each semester.

Vet

VETMED 626

Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases

Spring. 1 credit. Maximum enrollment 8. Second-, third-, and fourth-year veterinary students. Letter grades only. H. Mohammed and staff.

This course will introduce the epidemiologic methods used in infectious disease investigations. The importance of surveillance systems in detecting modern epidemics and in the development of effective disease prevention and control strategies will also be discussed. An emphasis will be placed on understanding the relationships between the host, the agent, and the environment as they relate to disease causation. The course will explore contemporary epidemiologic methods applicable to old diseases that remain real or potential problems, newly emerging infectious diseases, and nosocomial infections. Selected diseases will be discussed to clarify the role of epidemiology in understanding the pathogenesis of infectious processes in individuals and groups of animals. The students will have the opportunity to apply the methods learned to actual disease problems and write an epidemiologic report that might lead to a publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.