Course Descriptions

Gerontology Core Courses

Gero 265: Aging and the Older Person (3 cr) -Introduction to the interdisciplinary study of gerontology as a social, behavioral and biological science. A prerequisite to courses in gerontology and aging.

Gero 425: Women and Aging(3 cr) - Examines the effects of women growing older in a changing society. Social, psychological, physical, economic, cultural, and political implications will be discussed, including health concerns, changing roles, and discrimination.

Gero 450: Gerontology Internship (3 cr) -Individually designed experiential learning intended to provide the student with an opportunity for observation and participation in a wide range of gerontological activities in an approved institution or agency setting.

Gero 465: Seminar in Gerontology (3 cr) -An interdisciplinary investigation of selected facets of gerontology. Course content is drawn from the biological, behavioral, and social sciences, and it will include a consideration of current issues in such areas as mental health, housing, economics, transportation, preventive health program, long-term care, and leisure work activities.

Gero 490: Independent Study (1-3 cr) -A rigorous investigation of a topic of relevance to gerontology not covered in detail in existing courses.

Gero 590: Experimental Courses-Please contact the department for more information.

Gero 667: Research Seminar in Gerontology (3 cr)– A study of the sources of information, areas of gerontological investigation, commonly used research approaches, and the procedures utilized in conducting gerontological research and the writing of grant proposals.  

Gero 700: Independent Study– Please contact the department for more information.

Health/Science Courses

HSaf 314: Nutrition and Health (3 cr) -Examines basic scientific principles of nutrition, specifically all major nutrient classes in terms of functions, food sources, and adequate intakes along with sensitivity to diverse needs throughout the life cycle.

HSaf 665: Nutrition for Older Adults (3 cr)- Focuses on physiological and sociological nutritional needs of an aging population. Includes a field experience.

Nurs 498: Selected Topics (3 cr) -Elective nursing courses whose purpose is to deepen or broaden the student’s perspective on aspects of professional nursing practice. Each course includes an exploration of nursing roles and nursing research related to such topics as: Trends in Nursing Care of Children, Nursing Care of the Older Adult, Nursing and Contemporary Women’s Health Issues.

ERS 363: Biomechanics for Special Populations (3 cr) -A study of human movement patterns with emphasis on the development of efficient movement for special populations. Efficient movement patterns will be based on anatomical, mechanical, and physiological principles.

ERS 476: Physiological Aspects of Aging & Human Performance (3 cr) -A study of the physiological aspects of the aging process with emphasis on the effects of physical activity on health in the later years of life and on the degenerative process of aging. The course will stress the physiological responses to aging that are influenced by exercise and the physiological rationale for lifelong physical activity.

ERS 562: Health and Fitness for Older Adults – NO COURSE DESCRIPTION AVAILABLE

PREE 420: Recreation and Aging (3 cr) -The course will provide an overview of the aging process as it relates to therapeutic recreation service provision and leisure participation. It will focus on developmental issues, including psychosocial, biological and economic issues in later life. The course addresses these issues as they occur across the lifespan, from mid-adulthood to later life.

Psychology/Sociology Courses 

HSaf 414: Death & Dying (3 cr) -This course develops effective understanding of many aspects of death and dying including: grief, funerals, children’s view of death, psychological aspects of death, doctors and death, and euthanasia. 

PSYC 365/665: Psychology of Aging (3 cr) -Psychosocial, clinical and developmental aspects of aging, implications of optimal developmental and effective management of problems confronting the aged.

SASW 342: Sociology of Aging (3 cr) –Examines social changes which accompany aging. Emphasis placed upon how social processes influence patterns of aging and social problems of older people.

CDEV 619: Psychology of Adulthood (3 cr) - This course provides a theoretical foundation for working with adults at all stages (early, middle, and late) of development. It provides for an in-depth investigation of models of human development and change across a variety of domains such as cognitive, personality, social, emotional and moral. The course is particularly aimed at the process of change and how this impacts the process of counseling in a community setting. The course is grounded in a community counseling model and is aimed at those preparing to work with adults within that context.

CDEV 617: Counseling the Adult (3 cr) - This course will study a representative sampling of the many therapeutic techniques currently in use in the counseling and therapy of adults. The theoretical, where appropriate, and scientific bases will be covered in conjunction with an approach that emphasizes the varied nature of the presenting problems that today’s mental health client presents, as the counselor realistically attempts to facilitate behavioral change.