HL2040 Physiology in Extreme Environments 7.5 credits

The course will mainly be based on lectures . The lectures will cover physiological responses as well as constraints and countermeasures during exposure to high G loads, weightlessness, increased and reduced ambient pressure and hot and cold climates.

The course will also include demonstrations of a human-use centrifuge, hypo- and hyperbaric pressure chambers and physiological responses during local cold exposure.

In addition, the students will be requested to participate in seminars concerning thermal physiology, altitude physiology, diving & hyperbaric physiology and acceleration & gravitational physiology.

The objectives are to provide the student knowledge concerning physiological responses and medical constraints during exposure to certain harsh environmental conditions, namely: high gravitoinertial (G) load, weightlessness, increased and reduced ambient pressure and hot and cold environments. The course will also highlight how humans make use of different devices, techniques and/or behavioural strategies to withstand such environments. Upon completion of the course, the student will know about:

•  Physiological responses and medical problems during exposure to cold climates.

• Countermeasures against local cold injuries and hypothermia.

• Physiological responses and medical problems during exposure to hot climates.

• Countermeasures against heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

• Physiological responses and medical problems during exposure to high G loads.

• G-protective behaviour and anti-G garments/measures.

• Physiological responses and medical problems during and following exposure to weightlessness

• Countermeasures against undesirable effects of weightlessness.

• Physiological responses and medical problems during immersion and exposure to high ambient pressures.

• Countermeasures against barotrauma and decompression sickness.

• Physiological responses and medical problems in submarine vehicles.

• Life-support systems in submarines and techniques for free escape from a bottomed submarine.

• Physiological responses and medical problems at high altitudes.

• Countermeasures against acute hypoxia and mountain sickness, and high-altitude acclimatisation.

120 credits in engineering, natural science, medicine/health science, sport science. At least 6 credits in anatomy/physiology or one of this courses HL1201 - Medicine and Medical Engineering, Basic Course , HL1007 - Medical Engineering Basic Course, HL2017 - Advanced Physiology, Smaller Course, HL2018 - Advanced Physiology, FSK3530 - Introduction to Biomedicine, and English B/6.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• SEM1 - Project Work, 2.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• TENA - Examination, 5.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Final grade according to grade scale A-F.

Michail Keramidas

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.