Your Body in the World: Adapting to Your Next Big Adventure from edX

We are excited that you want to explore your body's response to the world. Your body is an amazing machine that is equipped with the capacity to deal with the world's great stressors.

This course may be different from other courses you have taken online. Our intention is to create more than just a class conveying information; we want to create an educational experience. You will be engaged in stories about physiology from across the country, develop relationships with the instructors as they sacrifice their bodies for the good of science and be awed by the complexity and adaptability of the human body. You will also have the opportunity to hear from top scientists and adventurers in the field. The class will illustrate and explain how your body responds to cold, heat, stress, age, altitude, g-forces, diving and zero gravity. Video travel and interview locations include Stanford, Harvard, MIT, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Pikes Peak, Mt Kilimanjaro, Las Vegas, and the skies above Livermore, California.

The Story

Corey stumbled into Dr. Friedlander's Exercise Physiology class early in his college career. Eventually becoming her teaching assistant, the two joined forces to discover new and exciting ways to teach physiology to Stanford students. Together they decided that the best way for Corey to really understand the material was to experience a series of diverse physiologic stressors first hand. What resulted was a series of wild and crazy adventures captured on video that provide a novel approach to teaching you the fundamentals of environmental physiology. From cold tanks to aging suits to flying fighter planes and climbing mountains, Corey and Anne bring the science to life. Come join us and be a part of our story as we learn about the human body!

About the team

The teaching team is composed of professors, students, storytellers and video producers. We interface with academic researchers and real life people in order to create an experience that draws life-long learners closer to science. We make fun, experiential videos on each topic that lead the participants into other supporting online learning materials that explain the underlying physiology. Support for this project came from the Stanford Vice Provost for Online Learning (VPOL), the Dean of Humanities and Sciences, and the Program in Human Biology.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Cold
Heat
Aging
Stress

Altitude
Variable pressures
You will learn about the underlying physiology of the human body when experiencing the following conditions:

Cold
Heat
Aging
Stress
Altitude
Variable pressures
You will learn about the underlying physiology of the human body when experiencing the following conditions:

Syllabus

Cold

The storytelling adventure begins at Stanford University in a thermoregulation laboratory. Just thinking about it gives us goosebumps. Poor Corey! Look forward to learning about piloerection, hypothermia, after-drop, and some practical tips on dealing with the cold.

Heat

The EnvPhyz team is back on Stanford campus exploring the effect of heat on the body. There's no air conditioning in this section. Look forward to learning about hyperthermia, cooling techniques, heat injuries and some practical tips on dealing with the heat.

Aging

The EnvPhyz team gets old! Get ready for a trip to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to learn about the impacts of time (age) on our physiology. With age comes wisdom, so be prepared to glean a few gems from this section and learn some tips that could change the trajectory of your aging. Look forward to learning about the causes of age-associated changes; which ones are inevitable and which ones you can influence.

Stress

The EnvPhyz team throws a big curveball as last minute changes make a big impact on the story. Anne and Corey give their bodies to science to explore stress and its effect on your body. This section is sure to elevate your heart rate, so get ready for a wild ride! Look forward to learning about the stress response, chronic stress, and some practical tips on how to manage stress in your daily life.

Altitude

The team travels to the Army Research Station near Boston, to Pikes Peak, Colorado, and up to Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to get you up close and personal with altitude research. Expect some adventures, good science, and rough transitions to altitude exposure. Look forward to learning about acute altitude exposure, chronic altitude exposure, serious altitude risks and some practical tips on preparing for that next trip up to the mountains.

Variable Pressures

After being subjected to so many environmental conditions, Corey finally gets his opportunity to strike back. Expect some high flying adventures into the world of variable pressures. Look forward to learning about g-forces, zero gravity, and the high pressures of deep water diving.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores physiology in a storytelling style, which is highly engaging

Taught by experienced instructors who are professors and have conducted research in the field

Includes real-life examples and adventures, which illustrate the concepts in a memorable and relatable way

Covers various physiological responses to different environmental conditions, providing a comprehensive understanding of the subject

Emphasizes the adaptability and resilience of the human body, which is inspiring and empowering

May require a basic understanding of physiology, as it builds on foundational principles

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Your Body in the World: Adapting to Your Next Big Adventure with these activities:

Review of Physiology

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Review the basic concepts of physiology to refresh your knowledge and prepare for the course.

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Review your notes from previous physiology courses.
Read textbooks or online resources on the fundamentals of physiology.
Attend a refresher course or workshop on physiology.

Explore Thermoregulation

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Explore thermoregulation in more depth through guided tutorials to solidify your understanding.

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Follow online tutorials on thermoregulation.
Watch videos and documentaries on the topic.
Attend a workshop or lecture on thermoregulation.

Solve Heat Transfer Problems

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Practice solving heat transfer problems to enhance your problem-solving skills and understanding of heat exchange.

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Review the concepts of heat transfer.
Attempt practice problems from textbooks or online resources.
Join study groups or online forums to discuss solutions.

Five other activities

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Discuss Stress Management Techniques

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Engage in peer discussions to share and explore diverse stress management strategies, enhancing your understanding and resilience.

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Join a study group or online forum dedicated to stress management.
Participate in group discussions and share experiences.
Collaborate on developing personalized stress management plans.

Design an Experiment on Altitude Exposure

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Design an experiment to investigate the physiological effects of altitude exposure, deepening your understanding of the topic.

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Define the research question and hypothesis.
Plan the experimental design and protocol.
Identify the necessary equipment and resources.
Write a detailed experimental proposal.

Participate in a Physiology Case Study Competition

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Challenge yourself in a physiology case study competition to apply your knowledge, develop critical thinking, and enhance your diagnostic reasoning.

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Identify and register for physiology case study competitions.
Review and analyze case studies thoroughly.
Develop differential diagnoses and treatment plans.
Present your findings and defend your recommendations to a panel of judges.

Participate in a Health Screening Event

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Volunteer at a health screening event to apply your knowledge, interact with diverse individuals, and contribute to community well-being.

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Identify local health organizations or clinics offering health screenings.
Contact the organization to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend training sessions to familiarize yourself with screening procedures.
Assist with taking vital signs, measuring blood pressure, or providing health information.

Contribute to an Open-Source Physiology Database

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Make a meaningful contribution to the field by participating in an open-source physiology database, expanding your knowledge and supporting scientific advancement.

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Identify open-source physiology databases or repositories.
Review the database's guidelines and data submission requirements.
Prepare and submit your own physiological data or analysis.
Provide feedback or suggestions to improve the database's functionality.

Career center

Learners who complete Your Body in the World: Adapting to Your Next Big Adventure will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Sports Medicine Physician

As a Sports Medicine Physician, you will diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses in athletes. You will also provide guidance on injury prevention and rehabilitation. This course will help you understand how the body responds to different environmental conditions, which will be helpful in treating athletes who have suffered injuries or illnesses related to exercise.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sports Medicine Physician

Occupational Therapist

As an Occupational Therapist, you will help people who have been injured or disabled to regain their independence. You will develop and implement treatment plans that will help your clients improve their physical function, cognitive skills, and emotional well-being. This course will help you understand how the body responds to different environmental conditions, which will be helpful in treating clients who have been injured or disabled due to environmental factors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Occupational Therapist

Athletic Trainer

As an Athletic Trainer, you will work with athletes to prevent, diagnose, and treat injuries. You will also provide guidance on nutrition and fitness. This course will help you build a foundation in environmental physiology, which is essential for understanding how the body responds to exercise and different environmental conditions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Athletic Trainer

Physical Therapist

As a Physical Therapist, you will help people who have been injured or disabled to regain their physical function. You will develop and implement treatment plans that will help your clients improve their range of motion, strength, and balance. This course will help you understand how the body responds to different environmental conditions, which will be helpful in treating clients who have been injured or disabled due to environmental factors.

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Exercise Physiologist

As an Exercise Physiologist, you will help people improve their physical fitness and overall health. You will design and implement exercise programs, as well as monitor and evaluate the progress of your clients. This course will help you build a foundation in environmental physiology, which is essential for understanding how the body responds to exercise.

See salaries and explore the career path for Exercise Physiologist

Environmental Scientist

As an Environmental Scientist, you will study the impact of human activities on the environment. You will also develop and implement solutions to environmental problems. This course will help you understand how the body responds to different environmental conditions, which will be helpful in developing and implementing solutions to environmental problems that affect human health.

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Research Scientist

As a Research Scientist, you will conduct research on a variety of topics, including environmental health. You will design and conduct experiments, and analyze data. This course will help you build a foundation in environmental physiology, which will be helpful in conducting research on the effects of environmental factors on human health.

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Physician Assistant

As a Physician Assistant, you will work with doctors to provide medical care to patients. You will perform physical exams, diagnose illnesses, and prescribe medications. This course will help you build a foundation in environmental physiology, which will be helpful in understanding how the body responds to different environmental conditions and illnesses.

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Nurse Practitioner

As a Nurse Practitioner, you will provide primary care to patients. You will perform physical exams, diagnose illnesses, and prescribe medications. This course will help you build a foundation in environmental physiology, which will be helpful in understanding how the body responds to different environmental conditions and illnesses.

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Aerospace Physiologist

As an Aerospace Physiologist, you will study the effects of space travel on the human body. You will also develop and implement strategies to protect astronauts from the hazards of space travel. This course will help you understand how the body responds to different environmental conditions, which will be helpful in developing and implementing strategies to protect astronauts from the hazards of space travel.

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Toxicologist

As a Toxicologist, you will study the effects of toxic substances on human health. You will also develop and implement strategies to protect people from exposure to toxic substances. This course will help you understand how the body responds to different environmental conditions, which will be helpful in developing and implementing strategies to protect people from exposure to toxic substances.

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Emergency Medical Technician

As an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), you will provide first aid and emergency care to people who have been injured or sick. You will also transport patients to the hospital. This course will help you understand how the body responds to different environmental conditions, which will be helpful in providing care to patients who have been injured or sick due to environmental factors.

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Industrial Hygienist

As an Industrial Hygienist, you will identify and assess hazards in the workplace. You will also develop and implement strategies to protect workers from exposure to hazards. This course will help you understand how the body responds to different environmental conditions, which will be helpful in developing and implementing strategies to protect workers from exposure to hazards in the workplace.

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Medical Doctor (M.D.)

As a Medical Doctor (M.D.), you will diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. You will also prescribe medications and perform surgeries. This course will help you build a foundation in environmental physiology, which will be helpful in understanding how the body responds to different environmental conditions and illnesses.

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Paramedic

As a Paramedic, you will provide advanced medical care to people who have been injured or sick. You will also transport patients to the hospital. This course will help you understand how the body responds to different environmental conditions, which will be helpful in providing care to patients who have been injured or sick due to environmental factors.

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