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Introduction to Public Health Engineering in Humanitarian Contexts

The world is facing unprecedented humanitarian needs. Today’s humanitarian crisis tend to be greater in number, often in urban settings, longer in duration and broader in regional impact. They generate human sufferings on a greater scale, disrupt essential services, such as water supply or sanitation and put health of large population at risk. Engineers and technical specialists in water, sanitation, energy, environment, and in other related fields play a vital role to respond to these challenges and growing needs. In the humanitarian sector, they are called the public health engineers and today they are increasingly needed! Why public health engineering matters so much in humanitarian crises? And how its related activities are carrying out in such complex environment? This is what this MOOC is all about!

The EPFL, EAWAG-SANDEC and ICRC have decided to partner to guide you through this introduction to the fascinating field of public health engineering in humanitarian contexts.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Public Health Engineering

The first week introduces the topic of public health engineering and see how engineers can have a significant impact to reduce the mortality and morbidity encountered in many humanitarian contexts. In order to do so, engineers should have a good understanding on how infectious diseases are transmitted. This is why you will be introduced to different environmental transmission pathways of diseases and you will see some measures to be taken to prevent the spread of some diseases. Real study case examples will be introduced to support the understanding.

Humanitarian contexts

During this week, the humanitarian context in which public health engineering activities take place is presented. We will see how protracted conflicts affect urban essential services, such as water supply and sanitation, resulting in public health issues.

WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

The week does a review of water technologies commonly used from the source to the distribution point. We discuss some pros and cons of different water systems that may be encountered in humanitarian contexts.

Sanitation

The fourth week does a review of sanitation technologies and excreta management. Case studies illustrate some challenges and practices in humanitarian sector.

Waste management & Hygiene promotion

We focus on a type of solid waste that public health engineers often encounter in humanitarian crises: medical waste. Finally, we discuss the critical issue of behavior change and hygiene promotion in humanitarian crises.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Course objectives are immediately clear to potential learners

Engages learners with humanitarian crises, public health engineering, transmission pathways, water supply systems, sanitation, waste management, and hygiene

Leads learners on a path to developing professional skills for the public health engineering field in humanitarian settings

Appropriate for learners with an interest in humanitarian work, engineering, and public health

Provides learners with a review of water technologies and practices used in humanitarian contexts

Includes study cases to reinforce learning

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Reviews summary

Public health eng. in humanitarian contexts

Learners say this is an excellent course, with engaging lectures that are well-presented. It is an informative course that learners say is practically and qualitatively written with valuable and relevant resources. Students say instructors are highly experienced and knowledgeable and that they do a great job explaining the course content.

Learners say that quizzes and assignments are helpful for understanding course topics.

"The course is very well structured and technically robust as an introductory course. Self paced mode is very helpful to make the most of one's time and learn in a meaningful way."

"The assessment quiz format is also effective."

This course includes case studies of humanitarian crises, which students say are engaging.

"Fantastic course. The real life case studies of the already engaging content are very helpful"

This course provides a thorough introduction to the subject.

"Very well-rounded introduction course to public health engineering in humanitarian contexts."

"Este curso brinda una introduccion muy completa a la salud publica en contextos humanitarios."

Learners describe the instructors as knowledgeable and experienced.

"It was a pleasure studying this course with so much knowledge, information, practical skills, current factors and humanitarian objectives to be gained and learned. The instructors were highly qualified and their experience in the PHE Domain are incredible."

"The course is very well structured and technically robust as an introductory course. Self paced mode is very helpful to make the most of one's time and learn in a meaningful way. Individuals with prior experience in Humanitarian response, especially WASH interventions, will be able to make even better use of it. The course material is entirely accessible. The technical points are explained very well."

"Este curso brinda una introduccion muy completa a la salud publica en contextos humanitarios. Los instructores hacen un gran trabajo sintetisando tanta informacion."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Public Health Engineering in Humanitarian Contexts with these activities:

Review water resource engineering concepts

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Refresh essential knowledge on water resource engineering concepts to enhance understanding of course materials and improve overall comprehension.

Browse courses on Water Treatment

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Review notes and textbooks from previous water resource engineering courses
Participate in online forums or discussion groups related to water resource engineering
Solve practice problems and review fundamental equations

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Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Public Health Engineering in Humanitarian Contexts will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Public Health Engineer

A Public Health Engineer is typically involved in designing and building systems that ensure clean water, reduce the spread of disease, and promote overall public health. This course was designed specifically with Public Health Engineers in mind. Taking it will help you succeed in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Engineer

Environmental Engineer

An Environmental Engineer sometimes designs and operates water and sewage treatment plants, holding ponds, and other systems that clean or dispose of waste and pollutants. With your training in public health engineering from this course, you will attract attention in this job.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Water Resources Engineer

A Water Resources Engineer is involved in water resource management, flood control, or water quality management. This course can help you understand water supply and sanitation systems used throughout the world and how various systems can be used in humanitarian crises.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Resources Engineer

Civil Engineer

A Civil Engineer is responsible for the design of roads, railways, tunnels, pipelines, dams, bridges, and other infrastructural works. In these roles, your knowledge of both public health engineering and water sanitation will be highly sought after.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Sanitation Engineer

A Sanitation Engineer designs and oversees the construction of facilities that improve sanitation conditions and promote public health. This course will give you a broad overview of public health engineering in humanitarian crises. This course will help you find jobs in Sanitation.

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Environmental Consultant

An Environmental Consultant is hired to help their clients comply with environmental regulations, assess environmental risks, and develop sustainable solutions. Your knowledge of public health engineering will give you a leg-up on the competition in this role.

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Water Quality Specialist

A Water Quality Specialist monitors and analyzes water samples to ensure that they meet regulatory standards. This course covers water supply systems. This knowledge will be critical in performing your duties as a Water Quality Specialist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water Quality Specialist

Waste Management Specialist

A Waste Management Specialist develops and implements plans for the collection, transport, and disposal of solid waste. Knowledge of waste management and hygiene promotion will be essential in this role. This course may be useful to someone seeking a career in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Waste Management Specialist

Hydrologist

A Hydrologist studies the distribution, movement, and quality of water on Earth. This course can teach you about the environmental transmission of water-borne diseases. This knowledge will be key in studying hydrology.

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Epidemiologist

An Epidemiologist investigates outbreaks of disease and tries to develop ways to prevent them. This course discusses how diseases are transmitted. It includes case studies on how to prevent the spread of disease and treat outbreaks. This training will make you a great Epidemiologist.

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Microbiologist

A Microbiologist studies microorganisms and their interactions with each other and with their environment. This course may be useful to you in understanding how disease is transmitted. This knowledge can be useful in understanding the role of microorganisms in disease and how to control their spread.

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Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

An Occupational Health and Safety Specialist helps protect workers from on-the-job hazards. This role typically requires an advanced graduate degree, such as a master's or PhD. This course may be useful to someone seeking a career in this field.

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Sustainability Manager

A Sustainability Manager is responsible for ensuring that a company's activities are sustainable and environmentally friendly. This course may be useful to someone seeking a career in this field.

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Policy Analyst

A Policy Analyst researches and analyzes public policy issues. This course discusses the humanitarian context of public health engineering. This knowledge may be useful to a Policy Analyst working on environmental issues.

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Water Treatment Plant Operator

A Water Treatment Plant Operator operates and maintains water treatment plants. This course can teach you about water supply systems and sanitation systems. Having this background will help you succeed in this career.

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Featured in The Course Notes

This course is mentioned in our blog, The Course Notes. Read one article that features Introduction to Public Health Engineering in Humanitarian Contexts:

Fitness, Wellness & Nutrition

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Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Public Health Engineering in Humanitarian Contexts.

Shadows of Catastrophe