Unit Outline

Aero-space medicine is a growing sub-specialty of medicine. This unit is developed in collaboration with the Australasian Society of Aero-space Medicine (ASAM) and focuses on the environmental challenges and technological adaptions for survival in space. It explores the physiological and patho-physiological responses of humans in space and applies principles of space analogue research to inform the development of solutions to long-term space travel.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Describe the characteristic environmental features and challenges of space flight.
2	Describe the physiological, psychological and pathophysiological responses and adaptations of humans to space flight.
3	Describe and apply technological solutions to combat the threats of the space environment.
4	Identify problems and synthesise solutions to optimise the delivery of healthcare to humans in space.
5	Assess the psychological and physiological fitness of potential astronauts and space flight participants.
6	Synthesize solutions to the unique problems of exploration class missions to optimise crew performance and survival.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

We value your feedback and we have made multiple updates to the online content and the face-to-face content in response to previous feedback. We are welcoming of feedback throughout the course and through the University’s formal feedback process at the end of the semester.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Essay	Week 7	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	Workshop Exercises	Week 10	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
Assessment Task 3:	Written Report	Week 14	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
Assessment Task 4:	Short Answer Exercises	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO5, LO6

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Essay

Task Description:

Essay based on a topic provided relating to an aerospace project. The essay will need to take an evidence-based approach to consider the environmental challenges of long duration space missions.

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify and evidence challenging aspects of the spaceflight environment which explain the need for careful crew selection.	LO1, LO3, LO5
2	Describe important physiological/medical and psychological/behavioural factors related to astronaut selection.	LO1, LO2, LO5
3	Identify important skill-based factors related to astronaut selection.	LO1, LO3, LO5
4	Present evidence to support a clear argument.	LO1, LO5

Assessment Task 2: Workshop Exercises

Task Description:

Short answer exercises associated with content from the workshop.

Task Length:

500 words

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Correctly answered questions on aero-medicine content	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

Assessment Task 3: Written Report

Task Description:

You are to provide a written report on a topic or case study provided related to crew health and wellbeing management during long duration spaceflight. In your report you will provide evidence-based recommendations that will consider the pre-mission, in-mission countermeasures, constraints of the mission and post architecture.

Task Length:

3000 words

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Proposes pre-mission countermeasures to prepare the crew for long duration spaceflight.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
2	Proposes in-flight countermeasures to support and maintain crew during long duration spaceflight.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
3	Proposes post-mission countermeasures to reacclimate crew to Earth after long duration spaceflight.	LO1, LO2, LO5, LO6
4	Relates recommended strategies to underlying constraints and hazards of a mission profile.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
5	Cites published literature to provide an evidence-base in support of recommendations.	LO6

Assessment Task 4: Short Answer Exercises

Task Description:

Short answer exercises based on scenarios or case studies.

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Outlines physiological and pathological responses and adaptations to space flight.	LO2
2	Describes potential countermeasures that minimize threats of the space environment.	LO3
3	Describes environmental hazards of space-flight and potential health consequences.	LO1
4	Identifies and provides an evidence-base for the unique psychological and physiological attributes essential for space flight participants.	LO5
5	Provides solutions to prepare crew for the unique challenges associated with space flight.	LO6

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

In addition, all assessments for the subject must be submitted to successfully pass the unit.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.