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HL2040 Physiology in Extreme Environments 7.5 credits

Fysiologi i extrema omgivningar

Please note

The information on this page is based on a course syllabus that is not yet valid.

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.

  • Education cycle

    Second cycle

  • Main field of study

    Medical Engineering

  • Grading scale

    A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Course offerings

Autumn 19 for single courses students - To application

  • Periods

    Autumn 19 P1 (7.5 credits)

  • Application code

    10116

  • Start date

    26/08/2019

  • End date

    25/10/2019

  • Language of instruction

    English

  • Campus

    KTH Flemingsberg

  • Tutoring time

    Daytime

  • Form of study

    Normal

  • Number of places *

    Max. 10

    *) If there are more applicants than number of places selection will be made.

  • Application

    Apply for this course at antagning.se through this application link.
    Please note that you need to log in at antagning.se to finalize your application.

Autumn 18 for programme students

Autumn 18 for single courses students

Intended learning outcomes

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.

Course main content

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.

Eligibility

120 university credits in engineering, natural science, medicine/health science, sport science or other discipline that KTH consider relevant, including basic knowledge of anatomy/physiology, and proficiency in English corresponding to English B. 

Literature

Reference literature will be provided on the course website prior to commencement of the course.

Examination

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

Final grade according to grade scale A-F.

Offered by

CBH/Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems

Contact

Michail Keramidas <michail.keramidas@sth.kth.se

Examiner

Ola Eiken <eiken@kth.se>

Version

Course syllabus valid from: Autumn 2019.
Examination information valid from: Spring 2019.