2027 Unit information is now available. View 2027 unit information
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Expedition Medicine includes an 8-day offsite field work intensive.
In addition to the usual tuition fees, this unit attracts a field work levy of $2,000 to cover running costs.
During this field work intensive students will experience an immersive set of experiences designed around real-world situations. All catering, transport, and accommodation is included in the fieldwork levy.
Students will experience:
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Expedition preparation and planning,
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Wilderness emergency medical response,
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Search and rescue,
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Remote area communications and navigation,
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Steep terrain rescue,
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The use of stretchers and splints,
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Treatment of cold injuries and high-altitude medicine.¿
Each of the units within the Healthcare in Remote and Extreme Environments course provides advanced, experiential learning that cannot be replicated in a classroom or simulated environment. The field components are essential to achieving the intended learning outcomes, as they expose students to realistic, high-stakes conditions that develop critical decision-making, teamwork, and applied clinical skills in extreme or remote environments.
Introduction
This unit is an intensive, residential course providing practical skills development to support on-line units offered in the Healthcare in Remote and Extreme Environment courses. The unit commences with a focus on basic knowledge and skills in the following domains: expedition preparation and planning, wilderness emergency medical response, search and rescue, remote area communications, navigation, steep terrain rescue, use of stretchers and splints, and cold injury and high altitude medicine. Students are required to apply these skills in progressively more complex exercises, and to adapt, synthesise, and improvise to solve prolonged, complex emergency scenarios. A strong emphasis is placed upon developing leadership and team-working skills. The practical elements are complemented by an on-line component in the medical aspects of pre-expedition preparation and planning.
Summary
| Unit name | Expedition Medicine |
| Unit code | CAM631 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| College/School | Health School of Medicine |
| Discipline | Medicine |
| Coordinator | Doctor Brent Systermans |
| Delivered By | University of Tasmania |
| Level | Postgraduate |
Availability
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
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| Online | Semester 2 |
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| Online | Trimester |
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- Key:
On-campus- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Note
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trimester | 1/11/2026 | 23/11/2026 | 23/12/2026 | 13/2/2027 |
| Semester 2 | 5/7/2026 | 27/7/2026 | 30/8/2026 | 24/10/2026 |
* 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).
Learning Outcomes
- Describe an approach to expedition planning, particularly that related to health care and the design of medical kits
- Describe and apply the Accident Management Plan for emergencies in wilderness areas, for both single and multiple patient problems
- Describe and apply an approach to Search and Rescue
- Describe and apply principles of leadership, followership and team-working in emergency situations
- Demonstrate the management of common and important conditions encountered in a mountain environment
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 |
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| 060199 | $1,694.00 | $1,694.00 | not applicable | $6,291.00 |
- 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 | Fieldwork 90 hours; Individual Study 30 hours |
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| Assessment | Practical Assessment x 3 (50%)|Written Assessments (50%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
Required readings and other resources will be provided through MyLO. |
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| 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.