Overview
The Center for Space Medicine offers cutting-edge electives and a Space Medicine Pathway to undergraduate medical students at Baylor College of Medicine's Houston and Temple campuses. All courses are taught by Baylor faculty as well as experts from other institutions and NASA. The electives are popular and receive excellent reviews from students. See information about the curriculum and lecture videos.
The Space Medicine Pathway consists of two didactic electives that are offered sequentially followed by a research elective. Students completing all three electives are recognized as having completed the Space Medicine Pathway, which is the only pathway of its kind in the world. The pathway provides a unique program of study wherein students acquire knowledge and experience in biomedical science, technology and medicine relevant to both human space exploration and medical care on Earth.
Students who complete the pathway will receive a certificate and recognition on their transcript and at graduation.
Foundational Electives
- MESPM 610: Introduction to Human Space Exploration and Medicine (MS1, Term 3)
- MESPM 611: Topics in Human Space Exploration and Medicine (MS2, Term 1)
Non-Clinical Research Elective
- MESPM 615: Space Medicine Research (MS2/3/4)
Pathway at a Glance
Enrichment Activity
- Participation in the Space Medicine Interest Group is optional
How to Commit to this Pathway?
Following completion of MESPM 610 and MESPM 611, students interested in completing the Space Medicine Pathway meet with the MESPM 615 course director and a prospective research mentor. Once a research project is formulated, the student meets together with the MESPM 615 course director and pathway director. Upon approval, the student registers for MESPM 615 and also submits a Medical Pathway Commitment Form.