Medicine in Extreme Environments unit (CAM619)

Online

Introduction

This unit is concerned with the practice of healthcare in extreme environments. It starts with generic considerations before moving on to examine the following extreme environments in detail: cold, high altitude, desert, maritime, underwater, aviation, and space. The challenges of working each environment are considered, followed by an examination of the physiological changes that occur, and finally the pathophysiology and clinical presentations encountered.

Summary

Unit name	Medicine in Extreme Environments
Unit code	CAM619
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Health School of Medicine
Discipline	Medicine
Coordinator	Doctor Gemma Ruddick
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Postgraduate

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Online	Semester 1

Note

Please check that your computer meets the minimum System Requirements if you are attending via Distance/Off-Campus.

Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	22/2/2026	16/3/2026	19/4/2026	13/6/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Describe the characteristics of an extreme environment from a social, psychological, and medical perspective and apply this information to provide solutions to challenges associated with living and working in such environments
• Explain the processes of acclimatisation and adaptation to extreme environments, where this is physiologically feasible
• Explain common pathophysiological processes and clinical conditions associated with extreme environments
• Assess and apply strategies for prevention of medical problems in extreme environments
• Integrate specialised medical and non-medical knowledge to develop solutions for emergency treatment of medical problems associated with extreme environments

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
060199	$1,694.00	$1,694.00	not applicable	$4,001.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Individual Study 8 hours weekly for 5 weeks; Individual Study 10 hours weekly for 7 weeks; Tutorial (Online) 2 hours weekly for 5 weeks.
Assessment	Contribution to on-line discussion (20%)|Written Assignment (30%)|Written Assignment (50%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings and other resources will be provided through MyLO.
Recommended	You can access the reading list for this unit from the link in MyLO or by going directly to the reading lists page on the University Library website.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.