Space Physiology & Health MSc is a unique programme providing training for biomedical scientists & physicians delivered by international experts from academia, contractors and space agencies (e.g. NASA). Graduates will be equipped through lectures, seminars and extensive laboratory practicals and visits to RAF & Space Agency (ESA & DLR) facilities to serve future manned space expeditions.
KEY BENEFITS
- The programme is unique within Europe.
- Has input from professionals within the Space industry.
- Provides experiences with external partners including the Crew Medical Support Office at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne.
- Located in the heart of London.
KEY FACTS
Student destinations
The programme provides a range of multidisciplinary skills and will help those wishing to pursue a career in human physiology in its broadest sense, either in academic research i.e. PhD, in industry, in Ministry of Defence research laboratories or National/International Space agencies including ESA.
Programme leader/s
Dr David A Green
Awarding Institution
King's College London
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent)
UK 180/ECTS 90
Duration
One year FT.
Location
Guy's Campus; most projects take place off campus at locations around the world.
Year of entry 2013
Offered by
School of Biomedical Sciences
Department of Physiology
Closing date
Places are highly sought after and you are therefore strongly advised to apply as soon as possible. We operate a closing date of 1 June, beyond which your application will only be considered if places are still available.
Overseas and EU applicants must satisfy the language requirements for King’s postgraduate programmes
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/graduate/apply/lang. We advise that applicants assess their current language level as early as possible. Applicants planning to attend a King’s pre-sessional language course are advised to apply for their Masters programme in good time. Depending on language requirements, pre-sessional courses start in May, June and July. Details of dates, fees, application deadlines and minimum entry levels for the Pre-sessional can be found at
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/elc/study/pre-sessional We recommend early application to the Pre-sessional (minimum of one month before the course you want to follow) as courses fill up quickly
Approximately 12.
Fees
FT Home: £10500 (2013)
FT Overseas: £19000 (2013)
CONTACTS
Contact information
Postgraduate Admissions Centre at the Guy's Campus.
Tel: 020 7848 8393.
Dr David A Green: Senior Lecturer in Human & Aerospace Physiology
Tel: 020 7848 8176
Email
Website
PURPOSE
The aim of this programme is to provide graduates with advanced theoretical and practical training in the physiology, psychology and operational medicine of humans exposed to or working in the Space environment.
DESCRIPTION
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skills in the following areas:
- Detailed and in depth knowledge of the physiological effects of the space environment upon humans and of the methods employed to mitigate such effects.
- Provide practical experience in experimentation methods appropriate to investigate the physiological effects of the space environment and those employed to mitigate such effects.
- A knowledge of instrumentation, calibration, data acquisition and the analysis of results whilst applying the appropriate statistical methods.an understanding of the effect of the space environment upon human behaviour and performance.
- An understanding of the effect of the space environment upon human behaviour and performance.
- A detailed knowledge of the practical implications of disease and physical deconditioning in space-faring humans and the practices required to counter and manage such events.
- Knowledge of the characteristics and practices associated with medical and life science research environments in space.
STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Core programme content
Please see the modules list.
Indicative non-core content
Please see the modules list.
FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
Full-time study: Approximately 20 hours of taught classes per week with some entire weeks spent at research establishments in the UK and abroad. Part-time study: Not offered. The programme will comprise lectures, tutorials and seminars with a large practical component. The latter will provide personal experience and experimental studies of a wide variety of Space relevant environments including flight, acceleration, heat and cold, noise, and spatial disorientation. . Modules are assessed by coursework and/or examinations. The 10,000 word dissertation (with 10+5 min oral presentation) aims to facilitate student research in the labs of world renowned supervisors in space agencies, academia and industry across the globe.
MODULES
More information on typical programme modules.
NB it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year.
Teaching staff: Module Leader:
Dr Ged Rafferty
Module code: 7BBLM004
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 30
Semester:
Semester 1 (autumn)
Teaching pattern: Most weeks incorporate:
4 hours of Lectures
2 hours of Seminars supporting Laboratory Practical
Laboratory Practical on alternate weeks
Assessment:
written examination/s
x1 3hr Unseen Written Exam (60%)
x1 15 min Laboratory Practical Oral Presentation (20%)
x1 1,500 Laboratory Practical Written Report (20%)
This module focuses on the function of the human cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The module aims to evaluate the mechanisms underlying the regulation of ventilation, cardiac output and blood pressure at rest and during exercise, and how these systems interact with the metabolic requirements of working muscles.
The module aims to provide practical experience in experimentation in human respiratory and cardiovascular physiology with knowledge of appropriate instrumentation, calibration and data acquisition and analysis.
Teaching staff: Module Leaders:
Dr James Clark
Dr David Green
Lectures for experts from the Royal Air Force, civil aviation and consultants to the Private Space Ventures.
Module code: 7BBLM015
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 15
Semester:
Semester 2 (spring)
Teaching pattern: The lecture timetable is dependent upon the availability of international experts coming to King's and thus varies through the term.
x1 3hr Unseen Written Exam
This module seeks to investigate the physiological, medical and societal (including legal) issues relating to aviation including fast jets and the kind of flights proposed by Space tourism ventures - ie. 3 minutes of microgravity coulped with significant acceleration/deceleration profiles in non-standard astronaut populations.
At the end of this module students should be able to:
- Evaluate the way in which the body responds and adapts to changes in temperature
- Explain how the body copes with the effects of acceleration.
- Assess the impact of high altitude on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
- Compare the conduct of human experiments in a variety of different environmental conditions
Teaching staff: Dr Thais Russomano (Microgravity Centre, Brazil)
Module code: 7BBLM014
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 15
Semester:
Semester 1 (autumn)
Teaching pattern: Self-directed but supported by virtual (Skype meeting) to replicate working in an international environment
x1 3,000 word Literature Review on Space Physiology topic
x1 Poster presentation based on same Literature Review that is orally described
This module aims to:
- Develop an in depth knowledge of the literature concerning an area of topical interest in Space Physiology & Health.
- Develop analytical, critical, organisational and presentational skills.
At the end of the module students will
- Have reviewed in depth, a topic in Space Physiology which is different from that in which they will undertake their research project.
- Have evaluated the relevant literature and be able to critically evaluate academic research papers
- Be able to perform key word searches on electronic and non-electronic indexing systems to find relevant publications
- Be able to assemble and maintain a referencing system whether manual or software based
- Be able to write in a fluent scientific literary style
- Be able to synthesize publications to critical findings
- Illustrate key aspects of text in a report in figures and write figure legends
- Understand how primary research data impacts on the broader descriptive conclusions given in textbooks.
- Be able to organise the key findings into a 5 minute presentation of poster.
Teaching staff: Module Organiser
Professor Steve Harridge, with expert lecturers from across the UK
Module code: 7BBRM002
Credit level: 7
Semester:
Semester 1 (autumn)
Teaching pattern: 4 hours of lectures per week from expert lectures from across the UK
x1 3000 word essay
At the end of this course students should be able to:
- Analyse and assess how whole muscles work as biological machines in the context of their structure
- Evaluate the different types of skeletal muscle fibres in terms of molecular composition and contractile properties
- Evaluate the basic mechanisms underlying muscle contraction
- Appraise the different methods of measuring muscle function
- Evaluate the physiological responses and adaptations of muscle to exercise and training
- Evaluate the mechanisms by which a muscle might fatigue and adapt to changes in usage
- Evaluate how muscle interacts with the cardiovascular and respiratory systems during whole body exercise
- Appraise the key studies that have contributed to this knowledge.
Teaching staff: Module organiser
Dr David Green
Co-organiser:
Dr Simon N Evetts
Medical Projects & Technology Unit Lead
Crew Medical Support Office
European Astronaut Centre
Module code: 7BBLM017
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 60
Semester:
summer session 1
Teaching pattern: Project conducted in host laboratory
x1 Oral presentation 15min (20%)
x1 Dissertation <10,000 words (80%)
The aim is for the student to undertake a unique research project independently or in an active laboratory or Space Physiology centre across the globe eg. the German Space Agency, Cologne; the French Space Agency, Toulouse; the Microgravity Centre Brazil and the Institute for Biomedical Problems, Moscow.
Teaching staff: Module Leader Dr David Green
Lectures are also delivered by international experts from Space Agencies, academia and industry from across the globe.
Module code: 7BBLM016
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 45
Semester:
Semester 2 (spring)
Teaching pattern: The lecture timetable is dependent upon the availability of international experts coming to King's and thus varies through the term.
x1 3hr Unseen Written Exam (60%)
x1 15 min Laboratory Practical Oral Presentation (20%)
x1 1,500 Laboratory Practical Written Report (20%)
This module seeks to investigate the physiological, medical and operational issues relating to placing humans in space for prolonged periods - be those on the International Space Station or for exploration of the Solar System. As a result we receive expert lectures from Space Agencies, academia and industry from across the globe.
In addition a research project in conducted at the Centre of Aviation Medicine (RAF Henlow) using the hypobaric chambers and we spend a week at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne (incorporating Astronaut lessions and visiting training and operations facilities plus the German Space Agency research facilities eg. ESA short arm centrifuge.
This module aims to:
- Provide detailed and in depth knowledge of the physiological effects of the space environment upon humans and of the methods employed to mitigate such effects.
- Provide practical experience in experimentation methods appropriate to investigate the physiological effects of the space environment and those employed to mitigate such effects. A knowledge of instrumentation, calibration, data acquisition and the analysis of results whilst applying the appropriate statistical methods.
- Provide an understanding of the effect of the space environment upon human behaviour and performance.
- Provide a detailed knowledge of the practical implications of disease and physical deconditioning in space-faring humans and the practices required to counter and manage such events.
- Provide knowledge of the characteristics and practices associated with medical and life science research environments in space.
ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
General entry advice
Normally minimum 2:1 first degree or equivalent in related subject (Physiology, Biomedical/Biological Sciences, Sports & Exercise Science and Physiotherapy, Medicine).
APPLYING TO KING'S
To apply for graduate study at King's you will need to complete our graduate online application form. Applying online makes applying easier and quicker for you, and means we can receive your application faster and more securely.
King's does not normally accept paper copies of the graduate application form as applications must be made online. However, if you are unable to access the online graduate application form, please contact the relevant admissions/School Office at King's for advice.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
You will be admitted on the basis of your academic ability and experience in this area, together with recommendations from academic referees. Applicants may also be interviewed in person, by telephone or via skype.
PERSONAL STATEMENT & SUPPORTING INFORMATION
A personal statement and full transcripts for all degrees you have undertaken are required. Please also list A-level subjects and the grades achieved. The transcript for each degree should list all modules taken and the grades achieved on each. Applicants who are still enrolled on a course should supply partial transcripts of the modules taken and grades achieved so far and should also supply a list of the modules that are currently being taken. Applicants who have not yet graduated should state the date when results are expected.
FUNDING
Students are self-funded, although students have attracted external support given the unique nature of the programme or have been funded by their employer.
Student profiles
Space Physiology & Health MScHaving completed my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences at Manchester University, I set about becoming an accountant. Though there were various perks to the job, after 3 years, I realised that what it offered as a career was not what I wanted. I went back to University to build upon and extend what I had learnt by applying to (and being accepted upon) the Space Physiology & Health MSc at King´s College London.
This course is a specialist subject and I was very impressed that all the topics were taught to me by the world-leading experts (many from NASA and ESA in addition to researchers and space operations contractors). They really helped to give me the practical and commerce skills to pursue a career within the space science industry.
The course included a week at RAF Henlow, where we were the main investigators in a trial of oxygen delivery equipment to prevent hypoxia for helicopter pilots in the Middle East. We also spent a week at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany where we were given lectures and practical tasks which included a guided tour of the whole centre as well as being able to perform experiments on the short-arm centrifuge of the German Space Agency.
Though the majority of the year I was based at Guy´s Campus in London Bridge, I, along with three others, was also lucky enough to go to the Microgravity Centre in Brazil to carry out research projects in the summer. Other students went to countries such as Russia, France, Germany and Austria. The travel expenses and some part of the accommodation costs were kindly covered by the University.
Now, I am looking forward to starting a one-year contract as a Life Scientist as part of the ESA Young Graduate Trainee scheme in Cologne at the European Astronaut Centre, which I hope will be the start of my career in space science. This course has given me opportunities and experiences that no other course could offer which has given me the enthusiasm and drive to go into the space industry.