Chemicals and Health Course Syllabus

Overview: This beginner-friendly course from Johns Hopkins University on Coursera provides a clear and accessible introduction to how everyday chemicals affect human health. Over six concise modules totaling approximately 10 hours, you’ll explore how chemicals enter our bodies, how we measure exposure, and how science and policy work together to protect public health. Designed for newcomers, the course includes real-world case studies and foundational concepts in toxicology and risk assessment, with lifetime access and a certificate upon completion.

Module 1: Welcome & Introduction

Estimated time: 2 hours

• Course overview and learning objectives
• What chemicals are and common sources in daily life
• Pathways of human exposure to chemicals
• Chemical production and regulatory frameworks

Module 2: Toxicology — What do chemicals do in our bodies?

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Mechanisms of toxicology
• Toxicokinetics: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion
• Toxicodynamics: how chemicals interact with biological systems
• Factors influencing toxicity

Module 3: Biomonitoring — How do we measure chemicals in our bodies and why?

Estimated time: 0.8 hours

• Principles of biomonitoring
• CDC’s National Biomonitoring Program
• Interpreting laboratory data on chemical exposure
• Applications in public health research

Module 4: Health Effects of Chemicals — How do we figure out their impact?

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Scientific methods for assessing health effects
• Epidemiological studies and evidence evaluation
• Role of risk assessment in public health decision-making

Module 5: Chemicals Policy — What do we do about chemicals & health?

Estimated time: 2 hours

• Evolution of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
• Air quality regulations and chemical safety laws
• Policy tools for managing chemical risks

Module 6: Case Studies

Estimated time: 1 hour

• Tobacco smoke and public health interventions
• Arsenic in food and regulatory responses
• Drinking water safety and contamination events
• Worker exposure in nanotechnology industries

Prerequisites

• No prior experience required
• Basic understanding of biology helpful but not necessary
• Comfort with online learning platforms

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Explain how common chemicals enter the body and affect health
• Describe the fundamentals of toxicology and biomonitoring
• Interpret how health risks from chemicals are assessed
• Understand the role of public policy in chemical regulation
• Analyze real-world chemical exposure cases using core concepts