Course syllabus
Människan i extrema miljöer
Human in Extreme Environments
MAMF35, 7,5 credits, G2 (First Cycle)
Valid for: 2020/21
Decided by: PLED C/D
Date of Decision: 2020-03-30
General Information
Main field: Technology.
Elective for: BME4-br
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English
Aim
Provide basic knowledge about the effects on human wellbeing,
health and performance associated with exposure to environmental
extremes.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must
- demonstrate a deeper insight in the risks associated with
exposure to extreme environments in working life, outdoor
activities, adventure tourism and extreme sports and
exercises;
- show understanding of the physical environment and its effects
on health, work capacity, comfort and performance;
- have understanding of human 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 student must
- validate the relevance and accuracy of different assessment
methods and show ability to choose strategies to reduce or
eliminate the effects, e.g. through behaviour, choice of clothing
or protective equipment;
- use simulation models for describing the interaction between
the human and environment;
- be prepared to apply measuring methods for assessment of the
extreme environment effects on human.
Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must
- independently and critically interpret information;
- reflect on his/her personal development and the need of further
knowledge in the area.
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 environmental exposure and limits of human
performance
- Physical work and human performance
- Human heat balance and heat exchange with the environment
- Hot and cold environments
- Exposure to fire and toxic environments
- Cold water and diving
- High altitude and the space environment
- Preventive measures and personal protection
- Clothing and performance
- Methods for risk assessment and thermal model simulation
- National and international regulations and standards
The theoretical part of the course will be complemented by lab
exercises, such as exposure to heavy work, cold and hot
environments, and group/project work.
Examination details
Grading scale: UG - (U,G) - (Fail, Pass)
Assessment: Orally and in writing: Laboratory exercises, group and project work, and written examination.
Compulsory lectures, group and project work and laboratory excercises.
The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.
Admission
The number of participants is limited to: No
The course overlaps following course/s: TFRC70
Reading list
- 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.
Contact and other information
Course coordinator: Chuansi Gao, chuansi.gao@design.lth.se
Course administrator: Lena Leveen, lena.leveen@certec.lth.se
Course homepage: http://www.eat.lth.se/termisk-miljoe/english/education/mamf35-and-tfrc70-human-performance-in-extreme-environments/
Further information: The course provides knowledge on the effect of the external environment on human, especially related to physical work capacity (max and sub-max VO2 uptake) heat and cold, cold water and diving, hypoxic environments, space, and methods for related risk assessment, prevention and protection.