This module focuses on understanding the epidemiological methods used to generate evidence on environmental risks to health: in other words, how we know that such risks exist and how we measure their impact. Its emphasis is on principles, methods, interpretation and critical thinking, rather than factual recall. Students will be introduced to core methods commonly used in environmental epidemiology, including time-series studies, cohort studies, risk assessment and modelling approaches. The module examines the methods and evidence used to investigate several key areas in environmental epidemiology, including extreme weather events and climate change, air and water pollution, biomarkers, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), disease cluster investigations, and health impact assessment. The aim is to equip students with good understanding of how to design epidemiological studies to investigate environmental hazards to health and how to interpret and critically appraise evidence from the published literature.

The overall module aim is to give students a theoretical and practical understanding of the design and analysis of studies in environmental epidemiology.

Intended learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, a student will be able to: 

1. Apply key epidemiological and statistical concepts relevant to environmental epidemiology.
2. Identify and assess the main methodological issues in environmental epidemiology, including those related to the investigation of the health effects of air and water pollution, extreme weather events, climate change, and inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).
3. Design, conduct and interpret a basic statistical analysis of a putative disease cluster.
4. Understand the principles of time-series and cohort studies and apply them to investigate the health effects of environmental exposures.
5. Apply quantitative health impact assessment methods and interpret outputs from modelling of projected future health impacts (e.g. under climate change scenarios).
6. Critically assess and interpret scientific evidence relating to potential environmental hazards to health.

The module is expected to cover the following topics: 

• Key concepts of epidemiology and statistics relevant to environmental epidemiology.
• Introduction to the use of R for statistical analyses in environmental epidemiology.
• Key methodological challenges in environmental epidemiology and approaches for investigating environmental hazards.
• Exposure assessment and measurement challenges, including external measures and biomarkers.
• Investigation of the health effects of: air and water pollution, extreme weather events and climate change and inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).
• Investigating disease clusters using epidemiological and statistical methods.
• Analysis of health and exposure data using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and time-series methods.
• Quantitative health impact assessment methods.
• Modelling future health impacts of climate change.
• Applications, limitations, and opportunities of using large-scale and “big” data in environmental health research.
• Critical review of scientific papers and case studies on the health impacts of environmental hazards.

Mode of delivery

For 2025-26 this module is planned to be delivered in person, or for students taking the module from the online intensive MSc Climate Change and Planetary Health, by synchronous online delivery. For all students, teaching will comprise a combination of live and interactive activities (synchronous learning), as well as recorded or self-directed study (asynchronous learning).

Assessment

The assessment for this module has been designed to measure student learning against the module's intended learning outcomes (ILOs) as listed above. The assessment for this module will be online. The summative assessment will be a multiple-choice test (MCQ) covering all aspects of the module.

Credits

• CATS: 15
• ECTS: 7.5

Module specification

For full information regarding this module please see the module specification.

Please note: information based on the 2025-26 module specification subject to change for future intakes.