Human in Extreme Environments
Människan i extrema miljöer

MAMF35F, 7.5 credits

Valid from: Autumn 2020
Decided by: Åsa Håkansson
Date of establishment: 2019-11-13

General Information

Division: Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology
Course type: Course given jointly for second and third cycle
The course is also given at second-cycle level with course code: MAMF35
Teaching language: English

Aim

Provide knowledge about the effects environmental extremes on human wellbeing, physiology, health and performance, and related prevention and protection.

Goals

Knowledge and Understanding

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• be able to describe the risks associated with human exposure to extreme environments in working life, outdoor life, adventure tourism and extreme sports
• be able to describe the effects of the physical environment on health, work capacity, comfort and performance
• be able to describe the human physical capacities and limitations to adapt to extreme environments, e.g. heat, cold, cold water, fire, high altitude, space

Competences and Skills

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• can use different assessment methods, criteria and show ability to choose strategies to reduce or eliminate the effects, e.g. through prevention, choice of protective equipment
• can use simulation models to describe the interaction between human and the environment, to evaluate the effects and provide advice on protection
• can apply measurement relevant methods for the assessment of the extreme environment effects on human

Judgement and Approach

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• independently and critically interpret scientific literature and its relevance in the subject area
• reflect on his/her personal development and the need of further knowledge in the subject area
• be able to assess risks in the extreme environments and recommend protection

Course Contents

The course provides knowledge and understanding within chosen topics related to human physiology and the influence of the physical environment on human well-being, health and performance. The topics contain the following • Introduction to exposure to extreme environments, and limits of human capacity • Physical work capacity and human performance • Human heat balance and heat exchange with the environment • Hot environment • Cold environment • Exposure to fire and toxic environment • Cold water and diving • High altitude and hypoxic environment • Space environment • Survival • Preventive and protective measures • Methods for risk assessment and simulation • International standards

Course Literature

Prevent: Personlig skyddsutrustning. Prevent, Stockholm, Sverige, 2008, ISBN: 978-91-7365-027-4. --- Holmér, I.: Human performance in extreme environments. Kompendium, Lund University. 2009. Compendium. --- Åstrand, P-O., Rohdahl, K., Dahl, H., Strömme, S.: Textbook of work physiology: Physiological bases of exercise. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2003, ISBN: 0-7360-0140-9. Recommended complementary reading. --- Auerbach P.S.: Wilderness medicine. Mosby, Elsevier, 2007, ISBN: 978-0-323-03228-5. Recommended complementary reading. --- Gunga H.-C.: Human Physiology in Extreme Environments. Elsevier, 2015, ISBN: 978-0-12-386947-0. Recommended complementary reading. --- Selection of published articles. Selected scientific papers on specific lecture topics.

Instruction Details

Types of instruction: Lectures, laboratory exercises, project. The lectures include lectures and guest lectures. The supervision is given via a net-based educational platform. The theoretical part of the course is complemented by group mini project work and three laboratory exercises: 1) aerobic capacity (VO2) test, 2) exercise in a hot environment, 3) exercise in a cold environment. Attendance is compulsory for the lectures, guest lectures, group works and laboratory exercises.

Examination Details

Examination formats: Written exam, written report, written assignments, seminars given by participants. Examination includes group reports of laboratory exercises, group mini project report and presentation, and written examination. The examination, after consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.
Grading scale: Failed, pass
Examiner:

Admission Details

Selection criteria: The course is available to doctoral students associated with the doctoral education subjects Work Environment/Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology. The admission of other doctoral students e.g. in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Health Sciences, Sports Sciences is subject to availability of places.

Course Occasion Information

Contact and Other Information

Course coordinators:
Web page: https://www.design.lth.se/utbildning/forskarutbildning/forskarutbildningskurser/