Course objectives: Human body's adaptation limits and mechanisms to extreme environmental physico-chemical changes and introduction to the identification of medical problems attributed to environmental causes.

Course content: Basic principles of Environmental Physiology and environmental stress. Adaptation and comparative physiology. Biorythms and hormonal adaptation. Extreme temperatures and adaptation mechanisms. Cardio-pulmonary function at extreme heights, diving depths and space flights. Effects of high acceleration and gravitational changes and adaptation mechanisms. Chemical environment and respiratory function in presence of toxic pollutants . Environmental stress and nervous system. Environmental toxicity targeting reproductive system's function. Effects of ionizing and non ionizing irradiations. Immunological mechanisms against toxic and carcinogenic environmental factors. Occupational environment and myoskeletal problems. Environmental causes of cardiovascular and urinary system dysfunction. Nutritional stress and digestive system. Essential and toxic trace metals. Terroristic attacks and hazards. Environmental standards regulations and environmental health. Environmental medicine and doctors' assignment .

Teaching methods and outcomes: Lectures addressed to students and discussion on certain physiology issues. Students are also encountered in presentations of group-works, out of a list of environmental physiology items, towards their fellow students and their supervisor , during which are invited to answer relevant questions. The lesson attributes to integrated knowledge on human body adaptation mechanisms and reserves as well as to an introduction to diagnosis and therapy of medical issues emerged due to exposure to extreme environmental factors.

Hours of training per student: 26

Semester: 5th

ECTS: 2