Outline

Overview

This unit of study provides students with both theoretical knowledge and first-hand experience (through laboratory practicals) of how the human body responds to extreme environmental stressors (i.e. high altitude, hyperbaria, extreme heat, extreme cold), and how these conditions alter the capacity of humans to perform physical and mental tasks. Special attention will also be given to the theoretical basis of how these stressors can lead to decrements to human health in the form of injury (e.g. frostibite, heat exhaustion) and illness (e.g. pulmonary/cerebral oedema, actue mountain sickness, 'the bends'). This unit will also focus on how this information can be used to develop therapeutic, pharmacological, and/or technological interventions to improve human functioning in extreme environments and reduce the risk of illness and injury. Teaching and learning strategies include lectures, case studies and short practical assignments.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Movement Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	EXSS1036
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	EXSS2032
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Troy Cross, troy.cross@sydney.edu.au
Guest lecturer(s)	Georgia Chaseling, georgia.chaseling@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Troy Cross, troy.cross@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Kate Edwards, kate.edwards@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 28 June 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Group presentations 3x in-person group presentations (10% each) on Friday of Weeks 2, 3 and 4.	30%	Multiple weeks	3x 10-min, in-person group presentations
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Self-reflection activities MCQ and SA questions to help self-evaluate current and gained knowledge	10%	Multiple weeks	Self-reflective MCQ and SA questions
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Small MCQ tests 3x MCQ tests worth 15% each (45% total) on Friday of Weeks 2, 3 and 4.	45%	Multiple weeks	3x 45-minute in-person assessments.
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Final group presentation Group presentation	15%	Week 05 Due date: 17 Jul 2024 at 13:00	10-15 min, in-person group presentation
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

The assessment of this unit is designed to foster skills in self-reflection, research literacy, and mastery of content. In brief, the assessments for this unit will involve:

Self-reflection activities: This assessment item will be held in-class and in-person. Students will particpate in two (2) self-reflection activities during the unit (Weeks 1 & 5), worth 5% each (10% total). These assessments will include a small number of multiple choice and short answer questions designed to stimulate self-reflection on current knowledge, and to highlight areas of focus moving forward. The self-reflection activities will also include a class discussion. Students must attempt at least one (1) out of the 2 self-reflection activities to avoid being awarded and Absent Fail grade.
Small MCQ tests: At the beginning of our Friday assessment workshops in Weeks 2, 3 and 4, students will complete a small in-person and in-class MCQ test (worth 15% each). Students must attempt all 3 tests to avoid being awarded an Absent Fail grade.
Group presentations: At the end of the Friday assessment workshops in Weeks 2, 3 and 4, students will deliver an in-person and in-class oral group presentation (worth 10% each). Failure to attempt and/or meangingfully contribute to any of these group presentations will result in an individual student being awarded an Absent Fail grade.
Final group presentation: Students work in small groups to create and deliver a presentation that critically evaluates one of the research projects that presented during the Week 5 Research Seminars. Failure to attempt and/or meangingfully contribute to this final group presentation will result in an individual student being awarded an Absent Fail grade.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per outlined under Section 7A of The University of Sydney Assessment Procedures Policy (2011): https://www.sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2012/267&RendNum=0

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to unit / Content orientation	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
	Integrative physiology I-II	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
	Integrative physiology III-IV	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 02	Diving/hyperbaria	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
	Basic skills / Breath-holding experiments	Practical (4 hr)
	Assessment	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 03	Altitude	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
	Physiological response to simulated altitude	Practical (4 hr)
	Assessment	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 04	Thermal stress	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
	Physiological response to thermal stress	Practical (4 hr)
	Assessment	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 05	Research seminars	Seminar (4 hr)
Week 05	Assessment	Workshop (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend all lectures, practical sessions and assessment workshops in-person. Given the intensive mode of this unit, we have designed our curriculum such that learning content is given on the Monday, a practical session based on that content is delivered on Wednesday, and theory/practical/research skills related to that content are assessed on the Friday of the same week. Thus, while attendance is not strictly graded, failure to attend any of these learning activities will severely impact on your ability to perform well on the assessment items throughout the unit.

Please note that attendance during practical sessions will be recorded for Workplace Health and Safety reasons.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand how humans respond both behaviourally and physiologically to cope with acute and chronic exposures to hot and cold environments, as well as high altitude and high pressure environments
LO2. understand how responses to different environmental extremes are proxies for human responses to certain diseases and health disorders (e.g. altitude/COPD and cardiovascular disorders)
LO3. describe how the capacity to perform different occupational activities can be compromised by different extreme environmental characteristics
LO4. explain how different therapeutic, pharmacological and/or technological interventions can be employed to improve work capacity in the face of a single and combined environmental stressor
LO5. understand the aetiology of injury and illnesses that occur secondary to environmental stressors (i.e. heat exhaustion/stroke; frostbite; hypothermia; barotrauma; nitrogen narcosis; cerebral oedema; pulmonary oedema)
LO6. estimate environmental limits at which different populations can safely perform various work activities
LO7. estimate maximum safe exposure times for work activities that take place under environmental conditions that exceed these limits.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We have incorporated some skill-building exercises at the beginning of the first practical session (Week 2). We have also redesigned assessment items to focus on strengthening research literacy and presentation skills. Lastly, we have moved this unit into an intensive block mode to accommodate a variety of domestic students, and for international students studying abroad/on exchange.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Students must wear closed-in shoes (e.g. sneakers) to all practical classes. Students will be refused entry to practical class if closed-in shoes are not worn.

Students should come to practical class prepared to participate in exercise and wear appropriate clothing accordingly.

Students will complete a work, health and safety (WHS) checklist during their first practical class. Any student who misses this WHS checklist must complete it before attending their next practical class.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

HSBH3021: Environmental Stress and Physiological Strain

Intensive July, 2024 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect