Any experimental courses offered by GERON can be found at: registrar.iastate.edu/faculty-staff/courses/explistings/
Courses
Courses primarily for undergraduates:
(Cross-listed with HD FS). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.
Prereq: HD FS 102 or PSYCH 230
Introductory exploration of the health, individual and social factors associated with adult development including younger adulthood, middle age and older adulthood. Information is presented from a life-span developmental framework.
(Cross-listed with HD FS). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.Alt. SS., offered even-numbered years.
Prereq: HD FS 102
Consideration of death in the life span of the individual and the family with opportunity for exploration of personal and societal attitudes.
(Cross-listed with HD FS). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.Alt. SS., offered odd-numbered years.
Interchanges of older adults and their families. Emphasis on role changes, social interaction, and independence as influenced by health, finances, life styles, and community support.
(Cross-listed with HD FS). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.
Prereq: 3 credits in ECON, HD FS, or FIN
Financial needs analysis for retirement, characteristics of employer-sponsored and individual retirement plans, tax implications of retirement plans, Social Security funding and benefits, strategies for meeting varying retirement needs in a diverse society, financial counseling and planning practice, and overview of employee benefits.
(Cross-listed with HD FS). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.
Prereq: 3 credits in ECON, HD FS, or FIN
Financial needs analysis for retirement, characteristics of employer-sponsored and individual retirement plans, tax implications of retirement plans, Social Security funding and benefits, strategies for meeting varying retirement needs in a diverse society, financial counseling and planning practice, and overview of employee benefits. Additional work required to meet Honors requirements.
(1-0) Cr. 1. F.S.SS.
Prereq: 9 credits in core courses for the gerontology minor and approval of the gerontology undergraduate coordinator
Prepracticum training for students planning a gerontology practicum. Exploration of possible agencies for the practicum, in-depth study of a selected agency, and development of goals and objectives for the practicum.
Cr. 3-6. Repeatable. F.S.SS.
Prereq: GERON 466, advance reservation
Supervised field experience related to aging.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
Cr. arr.
Prereq: Permission of Instructor
Consult program coordinator for procedure.
Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduates:
Cr. arr. Repeatable. F.S.SS.
Cr. 1-3. Repeatable. S.
Provides an overview of important gerontological issues.
(Cross-listed with EEOB). (3-0) Cr. 3. SS.
Prereq: BIOL 211 and BIOL 212
Basic biological principles of aging. Course modules include an introduction to the aging process, body systems and normal aging, and environment and the biology of aging. In addition, disorders and diseases of aging, prevention and treatment and exercise and aging topics will be covered.
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.
Administration principles involved in the planning, organizing and directing of long-term care agencies. Includes an in-depth exposure to federal and state standards and regulations governing long-term care.
(3-0) Cr. 3. S.
Introduction to the range of issues involved in aging and mental health. From a systems framework the major emotional and psychiatric problems encountered in old age will be examined including mood, anxiety, adjustment and personality disorders, dementia, cognitive problems, substance abuse, and suicide. Barriers to treatment and cohort and cultural issues will be explored.
(3-0) Cr. 3. SS.
Cognitive skills form the foundation for functioning in everyday life and these skills take on added importance in older adulthood. This course focuses on selected theoretical approaches and current research related to cognitive aging. We will review normative and non-normative cognitive changes, assessment techniques, and prevention/intervention efforts. Throughout the course we will keep the role of environment and life-span implications in the forefront of our discussion.
(Cross-listed with HD FS). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.
Overview of current aging issues including theory and research, critical social and political issues in aging, the interdisciplinary focus of gerontology, career opportunities, and aging in the future.
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered even-numbered years.
Introduction to foundational concepts in the interdisciplinary field of aging studies, including: core theories of adult development and aging how to be critical consumers of aging research; developing writing and other professional skills; and exploring career options in aging.
(Cross-listed with HD FS). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.
Exploration of the biological, psychological and social factors associated with aging. Although the focus is on the later years, information is presented from a life-span developmental framework. Empirical studies are reviewed and their strengths, limitations and implications for normative and optimal functioning are discussed.
(Cross-listed with DIET). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.
WWW only. Basic physiologic changes during aging and their impacts in health and disease. The focus will be on successful aging with special emphasis on physical activity and nutrition. Practical application to community settings is addressed.
(Cross-listed with HD FS). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.
Policy development in the context of the economic status of the older adult population. Retirement planning and the retirement decisions; social security and public transfer programs; intra-family transfers to/from the aged; private pensions; financing medical care; prospects and issues for the future.
(Cross-listed with HD FS). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.
Prereq: HD FS 360 or 3 credits in housing, architecture, interior design, rehabilitation, psychology, or human development and family studies or permission of instructor
Emphasis on independent living within residential settings including specialized shelter, supportive services and housing management. Application of criteria appropriate for accessibility and functional performance of activities; universal design principles. Creative project provides service learning opportunities.
Meets U.S. Diversity Requirement
(Cross-listed with ARCH). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.
Prereq: Graduate or Senior classification
Principles and procedures of inclusive design in response to the varying ability level of users. Assessment and analysis of existing buildings and sites with respect to standards and details of accessibility for all people, including visually impaired, mentally impaired, and mobility restricted users. Design is neither a prerequisite nor a required part of the course. Enrollment open to students majoring in related disciplines. Credit counts toward fulfillment of History, Theory, Culture requirements.
(Cross-listed with HD FS). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.
Prereq: 9 credits in social sciences or permission of instructor
Theories and research related to personal and family adjustments in later life affecting older persons and their intergenerational relationships. Related issues including demographics also are examined through the use of current literature.
(Cross-listed with HD FS). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.
Overview of program evaluation, research methods, and grant writing in gerontology. Includes application of quantitative and qualitative methods in professional settings.
(Cross-listed with FS HN, NEURO, NUTRS, PSYCH). Cr. 2. S.
Prereq: Graduate standing, or undergraduate with consent of instructor.
Structural, functional, and biochemical aspects of brain and non-motor behavior across the human lifespan. Types of neuroimaging used to assess the brain. Current research is leveraged to gauge how nutrition, diseases related to nutrition, and associated physiological processes influence the brain, particularly for common developmental, psychological, and neurological disorders.
Cr. arr. Repeatable.
Consult program coordinator for procedure.
Cr. 1-9. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. F.S.SS.
Supervised experience in an area of gerontology.
(Cross-listed with HD FS). (3-0) Cr. 3. SS.
An integrative experience for gerontology students designed to be taken near the end of the degree program. By applying knowledge gained in earlier coursework, students will strengthen skills in ethical decision-making behavior, applying these skills in gerontology-related areas such as advocacy, professionalism, family and workplace issues. Students from a variety of professions will bring their unique perspectives to bear on topics of common interest.
Cr. arr. Repeatable. F.S.SS.
Courses for graduate students:
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. SS., offered irregularly.
Prereq: 6 credits in social sciences or permission of instructor
Historical, contemporary, and interdisciplinary basis of aging theory. Biological, psychological, sociological, and human developmental conceptualizations of aging will be critically assessed. Emphasis will be placed on conceptual models, as well as theoretical development and application within gerontological research and the field of aging.
(Cross-listed with HD FS). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered odd-numbered years.
Prereq: HD FS 510 or permission of instructor
Review of the impact of the growing older adult population as well as individual development and aging on individuals, families, and society. Exploration of theoretical perspectives applied to adult development and aging and distinction of normative and non-normative changes in adulthood. Discussion of methods to assess development across adulthood and consideration of the role of individual and environmental factors impacting efforts to optimize adult development.
Cr. arr. Repeatable. F.S.SS.