Updated 5/3/2013 10:45 AM

ASEN 5016
SPACE LIFE SCIENCES

Spring 2013

Tues/Thurs 2-3:15 pm
ECCS 1B12

Distance Learning access via CAETE

 

Instructor: Dr. David Klaus

telephone: (303) 492-3525

email: klaus@colorado.edu

 

This course is primarily intended to familiarize engineering students with factors affecting living organisms (ranging from single cells to humans) in the reduced-gravity environment of space flight, including lunar and Martian surface conditions. Unique insight will be gained regarding engineering design requirements for spacecraft habitats, life support systems and spacesuits, as well as space biology payloads. Life support fundamentals, as they relate to basic human survival requirements, are covered initially. Next, the lectures turn to more detailed descriptions of the physiological adaptations that occur to people in space, with pertinent background information presented for each topic. Corresponding biomedical countermeasures needed to maintain crew health for long duration missions will also be discussed, including future Moon and Mars exploration. Finally, the underlying biophysical mechanisms affected by gravity, along with experiment design criteria, will be addressed.  Current events within NASA’s future exploration mission programs and the emerging commercial human space flight sector are reflected throughout the lecture topics.

 

To further elaborate on the lecture material presented in class, a series of integrated homework tasks provides a practical introduction to the process of journal article publishing and research proposal writing, including the peer review process used for each. The assignment begins with writing a short journal article on a relevant topic of your choice, participating as a peer reviewer for the editor, revising your draft per the review comments you receive back, and submitting a final manuscript.  From this background, you will subsequently prepare a research grant proposal that builds on your selected topic (along with a CV and budget) and culminates in a mock review panel. This end-to-end flow closely mimics the standard practice in the scientific community and is a valuable generic process to experience regardless of your specific research interests.

 


BULLETIN BOARD

 

Paper on ‘Extreme Fluid Dynamics’ discussing the Radiometer - pdf

 

2/27/13 in the news… ‘Inspiration Mars’ mission - http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/02/inspiration-mars-foundation/ 

 

Here is an example of the multiple steps in the publishing process for a mini-review article that I wrote a few years ago.  You can see the same general flow from initial submittal to final accepted version and the basic outline of introduction, detailed reviews, and a summary as specified for your HW1 assignment. Note that the superscript format for citing references differs here, be sure to follow the instructions for HW1.

 

1-guidelines for submittals from the journal

2-partial annotated bibliography compiled fall 2004/spring 2005

3-original manuscript submission 5-16-05

4-cover letter addressing peer review comments 9-23-05

5-revised manuscript (changed as described above) 9-23-05

6-cover letter with additional editorial changes summarized 12-9-05

7-revised final draft submitted – 12-9-06

8-galley proof corrections summarized 1-12-06

9-article in print March 2006

 

Here is the article on balance and aging - pdf

 


OFFICE HOURS:  Mon 2:30-3:30 and Weds 1:30-2:30

 

GRADING POLICY NOTES

ADDITIONAL SYLLABUS NOTES


 

LECTURE TOPICS – order and topics subject to slight revision

Overview of Humans in Space

Course Overview & Historical Perspectives on Human Space Flight

Relevant Space Flight Environmental Parameters

Human Spacecraft Life Support Requirements and Considerations

Respiration and the Oxygen Cascade

Motor Control & Chronobiology

Gravity Dependent Physical Processes

Human Performance in Space

Nutrition – Ch. 8 & Temperature Regulation

Wrap up / Exam Review

 

Exam 1 – 2/14/13

Human Physiological Adaptations to Space Flight

Miscellaneous Human Physiological Responses to Space Flight

Physiology of Extravehicular Activity (EVA) – Ch. 5

Neuro-Sensory System – Ch. 6 (balance) & Ch. 9 (motion sickness)

Hormonal Regulation & Immunological Response

Skeletal System – Ch. 1

Muscular System – Ch. 4

Radiation Effects – Ch. 3

Cardiovascular System – Ch. 7

Wrap up / Exam Review

 

Exam 2 – 3/21/2013

 

-- Spring Break Week 3/25-29

Space Life Science Research

Space Biology Experiment Design & Proposal Writing

Summary of Current Biomedical Countermeasures – Ch. 11 & 12 (partial)

0g & 1g Analogs (Earth-based and Space-based)

Plant and Animal Research in Space

Microbial Responses & Related Crew Health Issues

Space Biotechnology

Psycho-Sociological Aspects – Ch. 2

Operational Space Medicine – Ch. 12 (partial)

Astrobiology / Mock Review Panel prep

Course wrap up

 

Mock Review Panel – Final Exam Period: Saturday May 4, 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

 


GRADING      20% - Exam 1

20% - Exam 2

10% - Quizzes (take home and in class)

 

20% - Homework 1, Review Article grade based on final ‘revised and resubmitted’ version following peer review

  5% - Homework 2, Journal Peer Review – your participation as a reviewer

20% - Homework 3, Research Proposal grade based on proposal submittal with consideration of reviewer comments

  5% - Homework 4, Proposal Peer Review – your participation as a reviewer and in the ‘Mock Panel Meeting’

 

HW1 Review Article (Instructions for Authors) assigned – 1/22

HW1 Topic Selection due – 1/31

 

HW1 Annotated Bibliography / Working Title due – 2/12

HW3 Research RFP Released (Submission Guidelines) assigned – 2/19

HW1 Manuscript Submittal (one hardcopy and electronic file) with Cover Letter (in email body only) due – 2/26

HW2 Journal Peer Review Process (Reviewer Instructions) and (Evaluation Metrics) assigned – 2/28

 

HW2 Reviewer Comments / Score Sheets due – 3/7

HW3 Research Proposal NOI due – 3/12

HW2 Reviewer Comments / Interim Score Returned to Authors – 3/14

 

HW3 Proposal Budget Prep (budget template) and CV Discussion (see examples) – 4/2

HW1 Final Manuscript (Revise & Resubmit Instructions) with Cover Letter (see examples posted at the top of this page) due 4/4 – extended to 4/9/13 (4/16 for CAETE)

HW3 Research Proposal (hardcopy and electronic) due – 4/18

HW4 Proposal Review Process (Evaluation Metrics) assigned – 4/23

HW4 Reviewer Score Sheets (hardcopy and electronic for local students, e-copy only for CAETE) due – 4/30

 

HW4 Mock Review Panel assigned – 4/30 (NOTE: for this exercise, CAETE students are on the same schedule as the local class)

HW4 Mock Review Panel Meeting – Final Exam Period: Saturday May 4, 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

 


 

TEXT               “Space Physiology” by Buckey, Oxford University Press, 2006

 

Suggested optional, ancillary references for additional information on this field of study

http://www.amazon.com/Stress-Challenges-Immunity-Space-Mechanisms/dp/3642222714#reader_3642222714 

“Textbook of Medical Physiology” 12th ed. Guyton and Hall, 2011

“Fundamentals of Space Medicine” Clement, Kluwer Academic Press, 2003

“Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine,” 4th ed., Dehart and Davis, 2008

“Going Higher – Oxygen, Man and Mountains” 4th ed., Houston, 1998

“Space Physiology and Medicine,” 3rd ed., Nicogossian, Huntoon and Pool, 1994 (out of print, difficult to find)

“Bioastronautics Data Book,”2nd ed., Parker and West (eds.), NASA SP-3006, 1973 (1st ed., 1964, both are out of print, difficult to find)

 


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