Entry requirements

The student should be admitted to the Master's programme in Psychology. For admission to the course, at least 82.5 credits should be completed within the Psychologist programme's courses 1-12. Any remaining credit points should derive from semester 3. Admission to the course can also be gained by students who have been given permission from the department's director of first-cycle studies to take part in supplementary studies to obtain a Swedish psychologist certificate.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to – present to theories and concept of interest for the field – account for biological, psychological and social changes during adulthood and old age – give examples of the importance of sex, gender and culture for the aging and the view on aging, – differentiate the symptom, diagnosis and developments between three different dementia diseases.

Content

The course intends to provide knowledge of life-cycle theories, where prerequisites, challenges and risks under the life-cycle are presented and are discussed. Commonly occurring physical, physiological, hormonal, neural, cognitive, emotional and social changes under adulthood and aging are to be presented under this course. Cognitive (above all memory) and emotional problems during the later stages of life will be covered and examples will be given on memory testing and memory investigation. Certain central dementia diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal -, vascular - and multi-infarct dementia will be presented. An important field is stress and its aging effects Adulthood and aging in some different cultures will be presented, as well as the importance of sex and gender for the aging and the experience of aging. Examples are given of issues, concepts and terminology within gerontology and geriatrics and investigation methods will be discussed.

Instruction

Teaching is given in the form of lectures and seminars.

Assessment

Assessment of the student's knowledge takes place at a) exam (4.5 credits), b) home reports and seminars that are presented individually in seminars c) seminar presentation of an advanced assignment. At the group and the seminar activity, an active participation in addition to one's own presentation is required. For examination, the grades used are passed and failed. The contents of lectures can constitute a basis for examination even when the lectures are not compulsory. The contents of lectures can constitute a basis for examination even when the lectures are not compulsory.

Other directives

Other requirements, prerequisites and conditions for participation in and the fulfilment of the course, e.g. compulsory attendance, design of own work, etc., are evident from information given at the course introduction. A student who does not meet the mandatory requirements for a passing grade is usually given the opportunity to complete remaining parts the following term and/or is given complementary assignments by the course director.