ENV250: Environmental Health Laboratory
Charles V. Shorten, Ph.D., P.E.
Professor and Director, Environmental Health Program
Department of Health, West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383
Phone: (610) 436-2360; FAX: (610) 436-2860; Email: cshorten@wcupa.edu

An environmental health student prepares solvent for a soil analysis.

ENV250: Environmental Health Laboratory focuses on the design and implementation of environmental sampling programs. Students design collection programs and obtain samples of water from local streams, rivers and bays; local soils, sludge and wastewater; ambient and indoor air. Proper collection methods, sample integrity, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) considerations are stressed.

The indoor laboratory component features chemical, physical and biological analysis of representative samples. Students complete laboratory sessions in the chemical analysis of selected samples for such measurements as pH, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients (nitrate and phosphate), organic compounds and metals. Use of the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), Gas Chromatograph (GC) and portable Photoionization Detector (PID) for compound-specific determinations is demonstrated. Samples are physically analyzed for moisture and solids content, temperature and conductivity. Biological analyses include Biochemical Oxygen Demand for sewage samples (BOD) and coliform counts. Each laboratory session is summarized in a concise written report. 

This is a Web-Assisted Course.  The course syllabus, schedule, assignments, discussion and test review materials are available through Blackboard course software hosted at West Chester University.  Registered students may access these materials at:  http://blackboard.wcupa.edu  Others may contact the instructor to arrange for limited guest access.

About the Environmental Health Program:
The Environmental Health Program at West Chester University prepares talented students for the technical and professional demands of careers dedicated to the protection of human health and the environment. Graduates of the program who earn the Bachelor of Science degree become entry level Environmental Health Scientists who work to improve the quality of air, water, soil and food using technology to measure and control pollutants, indoors and outdoors. Master of Science degree recipients direct multidisciplinary teams of professionals as Environmental Health Managers. At all levels, the program embraces the broad environmental ethic of sustainability through human cooperation with nature, including basic rights to a safe home and workplace; clean water supplies for human consumption, recreation and wildlife; safe and available food supply; waste and energy management; and careful resource management for the future.

Details about the Environmental Health Program and the major can be found at the following links:

About the Instructor:
Dr. Charles V. Shorten, Professor and Director of Environmental Health, has been on the faculty at WCU since 1989.  Dr. Shorten's primary research area is the assessment of the fate and transport of environmental contaminants.  Recent publications in this area have focused on sampling methodologies and artifacts in the measurement of organic gases and lead. In addition to ENV102, Humans and the Environment, Dr. Shorten teaches courses in:

See Dr. Shorten's biographical sketch at this link: http://health-sciences.wcupa.edu/health/shorten.htm

[Back to Top of Page]          This page was last updated 01/23/02 by Charles V. Shorten .