Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Aeromedical (Online)

AVTN 3640-30I

Course: AVTN 3640-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: AVTN
CRN: 10173

Instructor Information

 
Instructor Information 

John Benedict Office Location: Aviation Offices on Highway 56 (2460 UT-56, Cedar City, UT 84720) 
Course Office Hours: Thursdays 10:00 am - 12:00 pm via Zoom; other times by appointment 
Phone: (480) 907-9902 
Also available via: Email (johnbenedict@suu.edu)  and Canvas Inbox 

Course Description

Discusses the adaptability of human physiological systems to unique aerospace environments. The student will learn the effects of environmental conditions including lighting, noise, vibration, heat, cold, humidity, pressurization, rapid pressure changes, hypoxia, horizontal and vertical accelerations and decelerations, spatial disorientation (vertigo), stress, circadian rhythms, fatigue, fitness, aircraft ergonomics, cabin space, human payload, interpersonal communications, human-computer interface, human performance evaluation, variable shift work (day, evening, and night work and varying shift schedules), and future research and development needed on task performance in order to maintain maximum safety and performance effectiveness. This course may be offered online. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Equivalent Course(s): AVTN 6640

Required Texts

 

REQUIRED REFERENCES

Note: The first three references for this course can be read online or downloaded at no charge using the URL addresses provided.

Note: Wikipedia is often regarded as an unacceptable reference for academic courses due to its perceived lack of uniform quality control. Wikipedia coverage of technical aviation topics, aircraft accidents, and the included charts, graphs, diagrams, etc., are often excellent. The Wikipedia references included in this syllabus have been carefully reviewed and have been determined to be well researched, accurate, complete, well presented, and on point for this course.

Reference #1. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, Civil Aeromedical Institute. (no date). Aviation Physiology. https://www.faa.gov/pilots/training/airman_education/media/IntroAviationPhys.pdf
Links to an external site.

Reference #2. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration. (2016). Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25B). Chapter 17. Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak/media/pilot_handbook.pdf
Links to an external site.

Reference #3. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration. (2017). Aeronautical Information Manual: Official Guide to Basic Flight Information and ATC Procedures (Change 3). Chapter 8. Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/media/aim.pdf
Links to an external site.

Reference #4. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration. (2015). Advisory Circular 61-107b: Aircraft Operations at Altitudes Above 25,000 Feet Mean Sea Level or Mach Numbers Greater Than .75. Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_61-107B.pdf
Links to an external site.

Reference #5. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration. (2006). FAA Order 3150.1C: Aviation Physiology Training for FAA Flight Personnel. Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/Final%20Scanned%20Order.pdf
Links to an external site.

Reference #6. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Aerospace Medicine. (2004). In-Flight Medical Incapacitation and Impairment of U. S. Airline Pilots: 1993 to 1998. Retrieved from http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online-full-text/faa-aviation-medicine-reports/AM04-16.pdf
Links to an external site.

Reference #7. United States Department of the Interior. (2008). ALSE: Aviation Life Support Equipment Handbook. Retrieved from https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.opengov.ibmcloud.com/files/uploads/Aviation_Life_Support_Equipment_Handbook_2008.pdf
Links to an external site.

Reference #8. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Airman Education Programs - Physiology of Flight Videos. Retrieved from http://www.faa.gov/pilots/training/airman_education/physiologyvideos/
Links to an external site.

Reference #9. Human physiology related accidents for review and evaluation to be assigned by instructor.

Suggestions for further reading but not required for this course:

Reinhart, Richard O. (2008). Basic Flight Physiology (3rd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-149488-5. 

Learning Outcomes

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the completion of this course the learners will be able to:

  • Understand the effects of various flight situations and conditions on the human body.
  • Understand the physics of the atmosphere.
  • Understand and recognize the effects of hypoxia and hyperventilation.
  • Understand and recognize the effects of trapped gasses and altitude decompression sickness.
  • Understand the use and operation of onboard pilot and passenger oxygen supply systems.
  • Understand and recognize the effects of spatial disorientation, sensory illusions, and vertigo.
  • Understand and recognize the effects of fatigue, chemicals, CO, dehydration, and alcohol on the human body.
  • Understand and recognize the effects of noise and vibration on the human body.
  • Understand how human vision works and optical illusions and negative effects on vision that can be produced by various flight environments and conditions.
  • Be able to review and understand relevant accident reports involving physiological issues.
 

Course Requirements

 

ONLINE COURSE NETIQUETTE AND DISCUSSION EXPECTATIONS

During this course you will have the opportunity to view and comment on several discussion board posts. Making these comments is an integral part of the learning process. Please keep these requirements in mind during any postings made during this course: Respect, Integrity, and Professionalism. Please note that any posting that is deemed inappropriate by the instructor WILL BE DELETED.

GRADES

Student performance in the course will be measured by ten (10) discussion boards, five (5) written assignments, five (5) quizzes, one (1) research paper, and one (1) comprehensive final exam.

DISCUSSION BOARDS

The ten (10) discussion boards combined are worth 20% of the course grade (20 points each). Each student will post one (1) original response to the question and post one (1) response each to each of three (3) different fellow student’s original responses to the discussion question (which three is your choice).

The goal is to have an active and timely discussion. Postings made after the assignment deadline will not be counted for a grade.

I expect substantive comments that indicate that you have given some thought to the issue(s).

Grading rubric: grammar - 5 points, content - 15 points. (See CANVAS for specific grading rubric)

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS

The five (5) written assignments combined are worth 20% of the course grade (40 points each). The written assignments require three (3) typed double spaced pages (not including a Title Page or the References page) on the topic given with at least two (2) cited references in addition to the course text.

APA format is required including good ideas, grammar, and spelling which are expected.

Note: You are pursuing education beyond a bachelor’s degree so you will be expected to use APA format for your papers. You are using it here for practice and to learn the professional expectation of any future work as you advance in your profession.

Grading rubric: grammar - 5 points, citations - 5 points, content - 30 points. (See CANVAS for specific grading rubric and paper requirements)

QUIZZES

The five (5) quizzes combined are worth 20% of the course grade (40 points each). Each quiz will involve answering multiple choice and/or short answer questions on the material covered.

Grading rubric: Title Page - 20 points, First Page – 20, Body of Paper – 40 points, References/citations - 40 points, Other/Grammar - 40 points, Topic Specific – 40 points. (See CANVAS for specific grading rubric criteria)

FINAL EXAM

The final exam (1) is worth 20% of the course grade (200 points).

The final exam will involve answering multiple choice and/or short answer type questions and an analysis of an ADM / CRM related accident that was not reviewed in class. The final exam will cover the entire course.

GRADING SYSTEM

10 Discussion Boards             20%                 200 points (20 points each)

5 Written Assignments            20%                 200 points (40 points each)

5 Quizzes                                20%                 200 points (40 points each)

Final Exam                             20%                 150 points

Total                                        100%               750 points

Letter grades will be calculated as follows:

93.5% and above=A   82.5-86.5%=B             72.5-76.5%=C            60-66.5%=D

89.5-93.5%=A-            79.5-82.5%=B-            69.5-72.5%=C-           below 60%=F

86.5-89.5%=B+           76.5-79.5%=C+          66.5-69.5%=D+ 

Course Outline

 
 

Week 1 

                  Student and Instructor Introductions 

                   Syllabus Review 

                   Introduction to Aerospace Physiology 

                   Physics of the Atmosphere 

                   The FAA Medical Certificate 

                   (1)  1.1 - 1.7 

                   (2)  17.1 - 17.3 

                   (3)  8.1.1 

                   (8)  Video #10 

                   Introductions Discussion Board (required but not graded) 

Week 2 

                     Respiration and Circulation 

                     Hypoxia 

                     Hyperventilation 

                    (1)  2.1 - 2.5;  3.1 - 3.6;  4.1 - 4.4 

                    (2)  17.3 - 17.5 

                    (3)  8.1.2 - 8.1.3 

                    (8)  Videos #5 and #11 

                    Discussion Board 1 

Week 3 

                    Trapped Gasses 

                    Altitude Induced Decompression Sickness 

                    (1)  5.1 - 5.3; 6.1 - 6.7 

                    (2)  17.18 - 17.19 

                    (8)  Videos #2 and #16     

                    Discussion Board 2 

                   Written Assignment 1 

Week 4 

                   Pressurization and Decompression 

                   Oxygen Equipment 

                   (1)  7.1 - 7.4; 8.1 - 8.5 

                   (8)  Videos #15 and #1 

                    Discussion Board 3 

                   Quiz 1 

Week 5 

                 Altitude Chamber 

                    Spatial Disorientation 

                    Sensory Illusions 

                    Vertigo 

                    Motion Sickness 

                   (1)  9.1 - 9.4; 10.1 - 10.6 

                   (2)  17.5 - 17.10; 17.12 

                   (3)  8.1.5 

                   (4)  All 

                   (8)  Videos #8, #13, #14 

                  Discussion Board 4 

Week 6 

                Stress 

                Fatigue 

                CO 

               Chemicals 

               Drugs 

               Alcohol 

              Dehydration 

              (1)  11.1 - 11.7 

              (2)  17.12 - 17.18 

              (8)  Videos #3 and #12      

            Discussion Board 5  

            Written Assignment 2 

Week 7 

              Noise 

               (1)   12.1 - 12.6 

               (8)  Videos     

              Discussion Board 6 

               Quiz 2 

Week 8 

               Vision 

               The Human Eye 

               Optical Illusions 

               Aircraft and Airport Lighting 

              (1)   13.1 - 13.4 

              (2)   17.10 - 17.11; 17.19 - 17.29 

              (3)   8.1.6 

              (8)  Videos #18                      

               Discussion Board 7 

               Written Assignment 3 

Week 9 

                  Physical Fitness for Flight 

                   Survival 

                   (1)  14.1 - 14.4; 15.1 - 15.5 

                   (7)  All 

                  Quiz 3 

Week 10 

                  High Altitude Physiology 

                   High Altitude Operations and Emergencies 

                   High Speed Flight Operations and Emergencies 

                   (4)  Chapter 2 and Chapter 3    

                   Discussion Board 8 

                   Written Assignment 4 

Week 11 

                  Temperature and Thermal Stress 

                    Fatigue 

                    Acceleration and Deceleration 

                   (8)  Videos #1 and #6 

                   Discussion Board 9 

                   Quiz 4 

Week 12 

                Start to review: 

               Human Physiology Related Accident Reviews and      

               Evaluations 

               (9)  Specific Accidents to be found on CANVAS 

              Discussion Board 10 

              Written Assignment 5 

Week 13 

                 Human Physiology Related Accident Reviews and      

                   Evaluations (cont’) 

                   Quiz 5 

Week 14 

        – Study for and take Final Exam 

 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work


LATE ASSIGNMENTS

Late assignments are strongly discouraged and acceptance of late work will be at the discretion of the instructor. Assignments may be available for late submission up to two weeks after the assignment due date. Late work may be docked as much as 50% of the assignment grade.

 MAKEUP WORK

Only makeup work arranged with the instructor prior to the assignment due date will be considered. Allowance of makeup work is at the discretion of the instructor. Altered due dates for makeup work will be coordinated between the instructor and student. Approved makeup work may be docked as much as 50% of the assignment grade. 

Attendance Policy

 
Attendance Policy 

Each student must participate in course activities in Canvas as necessary to complete course requirements. 



ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.