SFOK17008U Interdisciplinary Aspects of Healthy Aging
MSc in Public Health Science - elective summer course
General introduction to the course
As populations age, we need to understand how to ensure life-course processes that enable older adults to live independently in good health, stay engaged in social relationships within families and communities, and uphold social roles important to well-being.
From the molecular basis to the politics determining the societal resource allocations, all aspects of ageing have an inherit concept of sustainability. This include the decision of cells to become senescent to avoid becoming cancer cells, the clinical decision of weighing a life extending treatment against a loss of life quality due to side effects, and the societal decision of when an individual is allowed to depart the labor market.
At this international summer course, you will explore the
concept of sustainable ageing through an interdisciplinary lens and
combine research results and concepts from the humanities, social
sciences, epidemiology, neurology, physiology, public health, and
molecular biology. You will be able to identify your most important
stake holders and how to reach them through dissemination events,
publication strategies and grant applications.
Objectives & course format
The primary objective is to gain interdisciplinary knowledge and research experience in the field of aging to better understand how elderly people can preserve their vitality and enjoy a robust older age. We will focus on the concept of sustainable aging throughout the course.
Over three weeks, you will meet engaged and highly skilled researchers and work with ambitious students from a wide range of academic backgrounds and countries. The course provides experience with interdisciplinary work and aging research under the supervision of researchers from Center for Healthy Aging at the University of Copenhagen.
After the course, the participants will gain:
Knowledge:
- On aging as a complex phenotype that necessitates research integrating concepts from the humanities, social sciences, epidemiology, neurology, physiology, public health, and molecular biology.
- On defining the necessary methods that can be used to conduct aging research.
- On the principles for carrying out interdisciplinary aging research.
After the course, the participants will gain:
Knowledge:
- On aging as a complex phenotype that necessitates research integrating concepts from the humanities, social sciences, epidemiology, neurology, physiology, public health, and molecular biology.
- On defining the necessary methods that can be used to conduct aging research.
- On the principles for carrying out interdisciplinary aging research.
Skills:
- To evaluate and discuss the essential concepts of sustainable aging from an interdisciplinary perspective.
- To critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of aging research presented in the course.
- To discuss and evaluate research methods presented.
- To synthesize and present current knowledge and practical experiences into a research proposal.
- To transform a research proposal into a grant application.
Competences:
- To independently adapt to a new environment and take responsibility for professional development.
- To collaborate and effectively communicate with peers from different disciplines.
- To critically evaluate, to acquire new knowledge, and to reflect on how this can be incorporated into other contexts.
- To evaluate presentations on research proposals of peers.
A number of research articles, which vary from year to year, depending on the researchers contributing to the lectures.
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 20
- Preparation
- 32
- Excursions
- 5
- Project work
- 60
- Seminar
- 10
- Exam
- 10
- Total
- 137
Countinous feedback during the course.
Please find application form at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences' website for International Summer Courses: http://healthsciences.ku.dk/education/summercourses/
The application deadline is 1 April 2021.
- Credit
- 5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Course participationWritten examination- Active participation (80% attendance) in the course incl. an oral group presentation (defense of the research proposal) and critical evaluation of presentations of peers.
- Written grant application, handed in individually.
Active participation in the research projects, the interdisciplinary work and the oral presentation is a prerequisite for writing the report. - Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- passed/not passed
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
- Exam period
- Re-exam
Criteria for exam assesment
In order to pass the exam, students must be able to:
Knowledge:
- On aging as a complex phenotype that necessitates research integrating concepts from the humanities, social sciences, epidemiology, neurology, physiology, public health, and molecular biology.
- On defining the necessary methods that can be used to conduct aging research.
- On the principles for carrying out interdisciplinary aging research.
Skills:
- To evaluate and discuss the essential concepts of sustainable aging from an interdisciplinary perspective.
- To critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of aging research presented in the course.
- To discuss and evaluate research methods presented.
- To synthesize and present current knowledge and practical experiences into a research proposal.
- To transform a research proposal into a grant application.
Competences:
- To independently adapt to a new environment and take responsibility for professional development.
- To collaborate and effectively communicate with peers from different disciplines.
- To critically evaluate, to acquire new knowledge, and to reflect on how this can be incorporated into other contexts.
- To evaluate presentations on research proposals of peers.
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- SFOK17008U
- Credit
- 5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- Placement
- Summer
- Schedule
- Full-time schedule
9 - 27 August 2021 - Course capacity
- 24 participants.
The course is offered as part of the initiative IARU Courses by the network International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU). IARU Courses is an exciting learning experience that connects students from IARU universities with their peers around the world. Learn more at http://www.iaruni.org/for-students/iaru-courses. Thus, priority will be given to IARU students incl. UCPH students. - Study board
- The Study Board for Public Health Science and Global Health
Contracting department
- Department of Public Health
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Course Coordinators
- Maarten Pieter Rozing (4-7075727d4376787167316e7831676e)
- Maria Kristiansen (4-70646e6e4376787167316e7831676e)
Lecturers
Researchers from Center for Healthy Aging (CEHA) at UCPH