USC Schedule of Classes

Introduction to adult development through the lifespan; biological, psychological, and social processes; gerontology as a career for the future.

Effects of normative aging processes on homeostatic mechanisms and how these changes relate to development of disorder and disease in later life.

How psychologists study thinking, memory, emotions, personality, and behavior, and how people change in these throughout adulthood to old age.

An introduction to the core curriculum in the study of Gerontology. Research perspectives on adult development and aging; methodological issues; personality and relationship issues; general mental and emotional components of aging; research methods.

How social relationships affect adults of different ages; the changing contract across generations; interaction of culture, race, family and social values with adult development.

Analysis of the skills, approaches and issues involved in the planning, development, and implementation of programs directed at meeting the needs of older persons.

Exploring diversity in the older population and variability in the human aging process.

Explores nutritional needs and the physiological, psychological, and sociological relationships to nutrition. Laboratory experiments in assessment and evaluation.

Problems and resources of the middle-aged and older woman in a changing society; including discrimination, stereotypes, employment, social interaction, etc.

Topical seminar in molecular and computational biology. Junior, senior or graduate standing.

Biomedical ethical issues that are encountered in working with geriatric patients. Examination of ethical theory and the application of theory to clinical settings.

Overview of the impact aging populations will have on global institutions from a variety of perspectives. Examination of public health policy issues.

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.

Supervised experience in one or more community agencies. Graded CR/NC.

Supervised experience in a geriatric health care setting which allows students to put theories and ideas into practive. Graded CR/NC. Lecture, discussion, and fieldwork.

Advanced study of empirical approaches in gerontology. Preparation, progress, presentation, and evaluation of Senior Honors Thesis research. Standing in Gerontology Honors Program and departmental approval.

Advanced study of empirical approaches in gerontology. Preparation, progress, presentation, and evaluation of Senior Honors Thesis research. Standing in Gerontology Honors Program and departmental approval.

Advanced study of empirical approaches in gerontology. Preparation, progress, presentation, and evaluation of Senior Honors Thesis research. Standing in Gerontology Honors Program and departmental approval.

Examination of special topics in the area of gerontology.

A web based course analyzing physical, mental, and social age-related changes as well as implications of population aging trends for individuals and society.

Analysis of shifting legal and regulatory issue affecting the delivery of aging services.

Branding, marketing, and consumer behavior through examination of established, transitioning and emerging aging services and organizations.

Basic skills needed for an executive working in an aging services environment. Recommended for entry level administrators and managers.

Examination of programs related to end of life care. Cultural competencies in working with a diverse population on end of life issues.

Examination of lifespan physiology of human development, growth, and aging; major emphasis in the physiology of the later years and implications for health maintenance.

Examines tools and resources used to evaluate the nutrition status of individuals across the lifespan including biochemical, anthropometric and subjective global assessment. Open only to graduate students.

Principles of metabolism of macronutrients (carbohydrates, lipids and proteins) and human nutrition; life stages, disease states, consumption, digestion, absorption, transport and storage of macronutrients.

Explore issues related to common aging related symptoms/syndromes, patient and caregiver factors and alternative methods for symptom management.

A study of principles and procedures for food systems including techniques of food preparation, development, modification and evaluation of recipes, menus and products. Open only to graduate students.

Discuss various factors that affect nutrition and aging. Topics include allergies in nutrition, food toxins, weight factors, and prevention and treatment of multiple organ systems. Open only to graduate students.

Behavior from adulthood to old age; study of major components of behavior such as perception, cognitive processes, personality, intergenerational relationships, sexuality, and life styles.

Life-span perspective on the sociological theories of marriage and the family, intergenerational relationships, work and retirement, and other forms of social organization.

Major legislation and programs; examination and analysis of policy-making and political processes affecting development and implementation of programs for older persons.

Aging (commonalities and distinctions) as addressed by biologists,psychologists, and sociologists. Topics include researchperspectives, normative agings, functional decline and disability,and aging and society.

An introduction to the diseases of aging with an emphasis on cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Complexities of treating older persons with multiple chronic diseases and conditions.

Nutrition, psychical engagement and social interaction. Interventions, assessments, screening protocols and guidelines for nutrition in older adults.

Covers adaptive, age-friendly environment and injury prevention for older adults. Adaptations in household safety, assistive technology, ergonomics and universal design principles.

Management and leadership in senior living organizations. Managerial techniques as well as leadership styles will be analyzed and reviewed.

Examination of case studies of issues affecting the aging services industries and the role industry leaders play in reacting to change.

Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Supervised experiential learning in one or more organizations that serve older adults; includes a regularly scheduled seminar. Graded CR/NC.

Multidisciplinary perspectives on current research in Gerontology including physiology, neurobiology, health and medicine, psychology, sociology and public policy. Topics will change each semester.

An introduction to research methods and their application to gerontology including problem formation, research design, data collection, descriptive and analytical statistics, interpretation, and report preparation.

Explores concepts of molecular and genetic regulation of healthy aging, lifespan, and age-related diseases.

Critical analyses of primary scientific data and interpretations presented in the literature. (Duplicates credit in former GERO 602)

Critical analyses of primary scientific data and interpretations presented in the literature. (Duplicates credit in former GERO 602)

Explores scientific integrity, mentoring, scientific record keeping, authorship, peer review, animal and human experimentation, conflict of interest, data ownership and intellectual property, and genetic technology.

Intensive training in journal club and research talk presentations for graduate students in the Biology of Aging Ph.D. program.

A bioinformatics lab using a published RNA-seq data set as a testbed for students to learn coding principles, genomic biology and applied genomic statistics.

Mandatory organized laboratory rotation. Allows students to participate in laboratory activities. Designed to help select dissertation advisor and research.

Overview of topics in the psychology of aging. Includes research and theory bearing on cognitive, personality, adaptive, and social processes throughout the adult life span. Recommended preparation: Undergraduate coursework in psychology. Open only to doctoral students.

Research leading up to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied toward the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded CR/NC.