In this unit, students will examine a range of physical, chemical and biological factors which may represent hazards to the health of Australians, eg radiation and noise; chemicals in air, food and water; potentially harmful plants and animals; genetically manipulated organisms. Throughout the unit, there will be emphasis on: (a) the physical, chemical and biological principles underlying both the effects of these hazards, and methods of diagnosing, treating and preventing these effects; and (b) the application of new holistic approaches in biology to develop an integrative ecological understanding of human health. Students in HHSC585 will be required to submit an extra assignment relating these global issues to a local health problem.