Extreme Medicine MSc (Distance)

Program Overview

The MSc Extreme Medicine (Distance) program equips healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge for providing medical support in challenging environments. Through online learning and residential modules, students gain expertise in cold, hot, or humanitarian relief settings, preparing them for roles in disaster response, expedition medicine, and remote industry healthcare.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This unique program is delivered in partnership between the University of Exeter Medical School and World Extreme Medicine, the world's leading provider of specialist training courses for medics taking their skills into challenging environments.

Objectives:

• Develop the knowledge and technical skills to evaluate and deliver healthcare support in challenging environments.
• Learn the practical skills, knowledge, and understanding needed to perform at the highest possible level in the field of extreme medicine.
• Gain expertise in specific environments such as polar, desert, mountain, and jungle.
• Specialize in Cold Environments, Hot Environments, or Humanitarian Relief.

Outline:

• Structure: The MSc course can be taken full-time over one year or part-time over two or three years.
• Modules: The program is divided into units of study called 'modules,' each assigned a number of 'credits.'
A Masters qualification requires 180 credits at level 7.
• Compulsory Modules: The program includes compulsory modules covering core concepts of extreme medicine.
• Specialism Modules: Students can specialize in specific areas of Extreme Medicine by choosing modules related to Cold Environments, Hot Environments, or Humanitarian Relief.
• External Agency Links: The program has established links with external agencies, such as the Fellowship Principles of Space & Aviation Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and the European Space Agency's Physician Training Course in Cologne.

Assessment:

• Taught Modules: Assessed through literature reviews, essays, and written reports.
• Residential Postings: Contribute to learning and provide contextualization.
• Independent Research Project (Dissertation): Students undertake a dissertation with a supervisor, involving formative submissions and meetings.
• Formal Assessments: Written assignments testing analysis, critical appraisal, and linking concepts from research and educational resources.

Teaching:

• Distance Learning: The program is delivered through attendance at residentials in various locations, both in the UK and overseas.
• Residential Modules: Intensive, short blocks of contact teaching in challenging environments.
• Online Learning Portal (ELE): Provides distance learning support with background information, self-testing, reading, and other resources.
• Expert Tutors: Facilitate group discussions, project work, and provide support for independent learning.
• Potential Roles:
• Disaster response, working with NGOs or government contracts
• Medical cover for security operations
• Expedition and wilderness medicine
• Working with media organizations
• Remote research or logistics
• Employer-Valued Skills: Leadership, communications, teamwork, resilience, humanitarian relief, planning, and logistics.

Other:

• Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL): Students with relevant prior skills and knowledge may be granted partial credit exemption.
• Physical and Mental Requirements: Applicants are strongly advised to be confident in their physical and mental ability to undertake activities equivalent to trekking several hours on successive days carrying a 15 kg pack and be prepared to sleep in basic camping or bunkhouse facilities.
• Limited Places: Due to the residential content, places are limited.