Environmental Physiology
This course covers how our body systems respond to different types of environmental stressors. We will primarily cover heat, cold, high altitude, SCUBA diving, and (because it's fun and relevant) space travel! We will discuss how our heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, metabolism, exercise capacity, and more change in each of these environments. This is my all time favorite course!
Course style: Long-form
Intended course length: 6 weeks
Expected class time: 2 hours per week (1 hour per class; 2 classes per week)
Price: $299
Topics we'll cover in this course:
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Mechanisms of thermoregulation
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Cardiovascular and respiratory responses to heat and cold
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Introduction to barometric pressure
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Oxygen saturation and exercise capacity at altitude
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Cardiovascular and respiratory responses to altitude
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Effects of altitude on cognition and appetite
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Factors involved in underwater immersion
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Effects of SCUBA diving on blood gases
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Cardiovascular and pulmonary responses to SCUBA diving
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Short term cardiovascular responses to zero gravity
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Effects of chronic zero gravity