You are currently viewing SPACEMED

SPACEMED

  • Post last modified:15 March 2024
  • Post category:

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree on physiology and medicine of human in space and extreme environments

Academic cooperation

This SpaceMed programme results from a collaboration between the three partner research and educational institutions to award a joint degree:

Other partners (academic and research institutions, space agencies, and industrial partners), each with specific areas of expertise, are also involved in the programme definition and management, teaching, and hosting of students during internships.

Programme outlines

SpaceMed is a 2-year full-time European Master’s programme offering a unique integrated inter- and multidisciplinary study on the effects of extreme environments, particularly space flight, on humans. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on hands-on activities in state-of-the-art laboratories and on field studies, including space flight analogues (i.e., parabolic flights, Antarctic habitats, experimental bed rest studies, etc.), and extreme environments, such as those experienced at high altitude, underwater, and in hot and cold, dry and humid environments.

  • Small class sizes and close interaction with the teaching staff.
  • Science teaching and training with innovative and interdisciplinary methodologies.
  • Research projects (laboratory and field studies) involving experimental work, data analysis and interpretation.
  • Workshops bringing together students, academics and industry professionals.
  • Involves students in space projects supported by German, French, European and US space agencies.
  • Provides students with an international network and an integrated multicultural and linguistic experience.
  • Immersion in at least three European cultural regions (France, Germany, Slovenia) during the course of the study.
  • Attractive scholarships.

The objective of the SpaceMed Master degree is to provide training for those interested in pursuing a research career in space life sciences and extreme environments, as well as for medical doctors who would be able to offer medical support for future commercial space flights. The course will also provide valuable training to biomedical engineers who will be able to design, optimise, operate, and validate aerospace life support devices.

Programme structure

FRANCE
Biomedical Physiology – 30 ECTS

  • Basic human physiology, with emphasis on extreme environments
  • Hands on activities in research and clinical laboratories
  • Practical demonstrations with associated partners (e.g., parabolic flight)
  • Ethics in research
  • Data analysis
  • Statistical procedures

GERMANY
Environmental Physiology – 30 ECTS

Building on the lessons of the first semester, students will receive advanced knowledge in some specialised areas. They will also learn to use advanced measurement methods during their laboratory rotation. Finally, they will carry out a research project during a two-month internship.

SLOVENIA
Extreme environments – 30 ECTS

  • Human habitats in extreme environments
  • Spaceflight-associated musculoskeletal atrophy
  • Spaceflight-associated cardiovascular deconditioning
  • Circadian rhythms, sleep and nutrition
  • Space Ergonomics, including human-robot interaction • Pilot studies (bedrest, countermeasures, hypoxic confinement, isolation etc.)

ANYWHERE
Master Thesis – 30 ECTS

Students will complete a six-month research project or industrial placement. The culmination of all semesters will lead to the awarding of a Master Thesis.

Programme factsheet

A dedicated website for applications will open mid-December. In the meantime, you can request information by email at SpaceMed@unicaen.fr

University of Caen Normandie

gaelle.quarck@unicaen.fr

Charité University Hospital

alexander.stahn@charite.de

Jožef Stefan IPS

igor.mekjavic@ijs.si

2 years (full-time) – 120 ECTS

Either a Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences or kinesiology (180 ECTS), a Master degree
in engineering, or a medical degree.
A minimum level of English language proficiency equivalent to B2 according to the levels
defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).