Medical Geology/Geochemistry: An Exposure
This MIT OpenCourseWare offering examines how the natural abundance and distribution of elements and isotopes in rocks, soil, and water affect the health of humans, animals, and plants. Lectures cover topics such as trace element deficiency and toxicity, geochemical cycling, and case studies linking geological conditions to disease patterns, including arsenic contamination and iodine deficiency. The course includes readings, lecture notes, and problem sets drawn from geology, geochemistry, and public health literature, giving students a working vocabulary for evaluating environmental health risks tied to earth materials. As with other MIT OCW courses, all materials are free to access online, with no certificate offered. It suits students in earth science or health fields who want a grounding in how geological factors shape disease and nutrition.