Name: Space Medicine
Brand: Duke University
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 4.8 (246 reviews)

Learner reviews & feedback for Space Medicine

4.8731 reviews

About this course

Have you ever wondered what it would take for humans to travel beyond the comforts of our home planet, Earth? You are invited to join us in Space Medicine - an online experience facilitated by two recent Duke graduates in which you will learn about and engage in the most pressing medical challenges facing NASA and others advancing the future of space exploration.

Space Medicine is a free, non-certificate course featuring interactive modules and weekly live discussions. Participants will reflect on questions pertinent to the future of human health in space, such as: - How do humans respond to extreme environments? - How can engineers, doctors, and scientific researchers come together to prevent space related health issues before they occur? - If future generations of humans attempt to live in space, what challenges will they face? - Which evolutionary adaptations to living on Earth are useful to surviving a months- or years-long voyage? No prior experience in science or medicine is required, as life science concepts will be introduced as necessary. At the end of the course, you will have gained valuable experience in applying modern medicine to space-based situations, from space flight to journeying to Mars.

Featured reviews

5.0Reviewed Jul 4, 2022

Learned a lot of cool information and it was easy to follow and understand! Would recommend this course to anyone interested in space!

5.0Reviewed Sep 24, 2022

I think it was very good as an introduction to space medicine. At the end of the course it would be good to have a few pointers on where to go next or suggestions to a couple of things to read next

5.0Reviewed Feb 13, 2024

Fantastic course. Such a breadth of information, with great practical case studies and very useful guest speakers who really brought alive the topic. Thank you.

5.0Reviewed Nov 16, 2022

It was really interesting and fascinating journey diving into so specific and difficult areas as space and diving medicine areas. Appreciate creators enthusiasm creating this amazing course!

5.0Reviewed Apr 11, 2022

Very helpful and in depth introduction to Space Medicine and areas of it that are relevant to know about when considering this as a career choice. Thank you for making this available for everyone.

5.0Reviewed Jan 18, 2022

Interesting overview of Space medicine with some good introductions to the major considerations for human presence in flight and in space.

4.0Reviewed Feb 19, 2022

Although I liked the course and they did a great job but after 6 weeks of working, I was not able to print my certificate!!! it gives me an error of not finding the page!!!!!

5.0Reviewed Sep 2, 2025

I have no backround experience in this topic, but this course didn't require me to have any experience. It was easy to understand and helped me learn so much about this topic. Loved it.

5.0Reviewed Aug 11, 2022

This course provided a very basic, simply explained introduction to space medicine. One of the few courses available & worth the time!

5.0Reviewed Mar 1, 2024

This course help me to understand the medical terminology of what the astronauts go through and what it means to be an Aerospace Engineer.

5.0Reviewed Jan 3, 2024

It was really interesting learning about this subject online. thank you so much, there is a few courses about space industry on coursera.

5.0Reviewed Nov 9, 2025

Was very beneficial. You don't need any previous knowledge, everything is explained very simply, although I had to rewatch some of the videos, because I don't have any background in Physics.

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 246

Aleksandra Fat

5.0

Reviewed Oct 22, 2024

I would like to know how can we get Certificate of completion, is it possible now? Thank you

Studio Filippi

5.0

Reviewed Feb 5, 2022

Exceptional ! but no reason to not having a certiicate

Paul W

5.0

Reviewed Jan 24, 2022

The course is a great introduction because it starts from the basics and slowly builds up to more complex ideas. Great for me with no familiarity with medicine. Also, the instructors work hard to make it engaging with animations, physics demos, and even jokes to keep the material engaging. I just wish I was able to have joined the live version - but maybe I'll be able to join the other ones the instructor has mentioned in an email.

Gavriil Michas

5.0

Reviewed Jan 20, 2022

You can’t say that you know about Space Medicine without the Space Medicine of this course! Wonderful instructors that are really helping you learn about all the hard topics and challenges of medicine in space missions with such an easy way. This is a unique learning experience from Duke University and Coursera.

Dr Rashmi Periwal

5.0

Reviewed Jan 29, 2022

This is probably the best beginners guide to space medicine explained in a simple and easy to grasp way for the regular non expert person. The time commitment is very low so it can fit in anyone's schedule. It also hosts some of the best teachers I have ever heard

Highly recommended!!

Juan Delgado

5.0

Reviewed Apr 29, 2022

Space medicine course is excellent.Like they say is never too late to lear. I am physician,84 yrs.old. and with this course i have learn many things that i had no idea about. i highly recommend course to everyone whether interested in space medicine or not.

Elena Illa Guttman

5.0

Reviewed Mar 15, 2022

I really liked this course and I learned a lot of very interesting things that I never thought about before the course.

It was informative and the lectures were very knowledgeable.

I would like to have if possible a continuation of this course.

Georgios Neochoritis

5.0

Reviewed Apr 15, 2022

Thank you for this great course. I wait for the improved version (with degree option). Keep up the good work!

Maxim Berger

5.0

Reviewed Jan 7, 2022

Learned about space, found out I couldn't be an astronaut, continued learning about space.

Nuzzy Sykes

5.0

Reviewed Mar 29, 2022

This course is incredibly engaging and managable. If you don't have much time to watch the videos, a simple 30-40 minute block should be enough to immerse yourself in the world of Space Medicine, and finish the shorter videos. The longer videos involving speakers were a bit tougher to fit into my schedule, but nothing quite got in the way. The videos are presented in a way that is very understandable and approachable for anyone willing to learn the details of Space Medicine, regardless of prior knowledge. I highly recommend this course and hope to delve deeper into the world of Space Medicine soon.

Jim Godman

5.0

Reviewed Jul 15, 2022

Thank you very much for this fascinating course. You have inspired me to undertake further studies in this field. The videos were first rate, the interviews insightful and enthralling and the presenters / developers of the course enthusing and personable. Awesome work, Duke. More of the same please.

Jim Godman, UK Space Agency.

Lauri Husa

5.0

Reviewed Mar 7, 2022

Compact, yet informative course combining many different aspects of science, including astronomy, biology, medicine, physics and engineering. Would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in space sciences and the future of human exploration.

David Delorme

5.0

Reviewed Apr 10, 2022

An excellent introduction to some of the medical issues related to traveling , working and living off earth. The videos were kept short and attractive with various inserts to keep them dynamc. Bravos to the two presenters!

Sheida Rahmany

5.0

Reviewed Apr 11, 2022

Very helpful and in depth introduction to Space Medicine and areas of it that are relevant to know about when considering this as a career choice. Thank you for making this available for everyone.

Dwyer Roche

5.0

Reviewed Mar 15, 2022

This was a fantastic course overviewing some of our greatest challenges that lie ahead in the frontier of manned space travel. I am eager to work in the field in the near future!

Katharine Ganly

5.0

Reviewed Jan 19, 2022

Interesting overview of Space medicine with some good introductions to the major considerations for human presence in flight and in space.

Joselyn Al Najim

5.0

Reviewed Jul 5, 2022

Learned a lot of cool information and it was easy to follow and understand! Would recommend this course to anyone interested in space!

Elena Zoumi

5.0

Reviewed Aug 11, 2022

This course provided a very basic, simply explained introduction to space medicine. One of the few courses available & worth the time!

Dr Madeeha Minhas

5.0

Reviewed Jul 2, 2022

It's a comprehensive and accurately designed introductory level coure good for a refresher or to pique your interest

Joseph Parker

5.0

Reviewed Apr 13, 2023

A really fantastic introduction to what every astronaut and scientist must know as we start to move off-Earth.