COP2 - Interdisciplinary Aspects of Healthy Aging

4 July 2016 – 24 July 2016
Hosted by University of Copenhagen

Population aging is one of the most important demographic events of the 21st century. For the first time, the elderly population will make up the larger part of our society and this will profoundly impact citizens and society, economically, politically and socially.

Recent years have seen increasing interest in understanding healthy aging, the ability of the individual to maintain sufficient physical, mental and social energy to live active and meaningful lives.

The course, offered by the Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, on behalf of the IARU network, will focus on exploring the aging phenomena through an interdisciplinary lens with a special focus on the concept of energy, a key component of healthy aging. Energy relates to processes at the cellular as well as the individual level and has not only physical but also important psychological and social dimensions which affect every facet of life.

The course will take a starting point in the newly published book, Growing Older Without Feeling Old: On Vitality and Ageing by Professor Rudi Westendorp.

The objective of this course is to gain interdisciplinary knowledge and research experience in the field of aging to better understand how people can live more energetic lives and enjoy a robust older age. The objective will be achieved through a combination of lectures, interactive discussions and project work in which students will conduct aging research projects under the supervision of experienced researchers from the Center of Healthy Aging.

Field Trip

Different social activities and field trips will be arranged. Among others a visit to a Danish care home, field trips at different Departments of CEHA, welcome dinner, Tivoli, etc.

Target Audience

The target audience is Master students, but Bachelor and PhD students are welcome to apply.

Students who have obtained a bachelor degree from any discipline, have interests in aging research, and have good English skills are welcome to apply for this course.

Delivery Method & Learning Outcomes

The course combines lectures, interactive discussions and project work in which students will conduct aging research projects under the supervision of experienced researchers from the Center of Healthy Aging.

The lectures will cover basic knowledge in different aging research disciplines including: humanities, social science, public health, epidemiology, neurology, physiology and molecular biology.

Students will carry out a research project in small groups under the supervision of the Center for Healthy Aging researchers. These projects span disciplines from molecular biology to the humanities. Hence, the projects will represent different scientific methods from: laboratory work, to statistics and qualitative analysis.


At the end of the course participants will:

• Gain foundational knowledge supporting that aging is a complex phenotype and its research necessitates integrating concepts from the humanities, social science, epidemiology, neurology, physiology, and molecular biology
• Critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of aging research that has already been published
• Gain hands on experience on reading and conducting research into aging and working in an interdisciplinary setting
• Synthesize current knowledge and practical research experience in a short report and group presentation formatted according to the scientific grant application.

Assessment

The course will be evaluated by a 10 page report. The report will be based on the course work, lectures and scientific literature.
In addition to the written report, active participation in the research projects, plenary discussions and an oral presentation is a prerequisite for completing the written report.
5 ECTS points are awarded with successful completion of the course.

Credit equivalent at host university & contact hours

5 ECTS credits (30 credits is a full semester load)
70 total contact hours (classroom) + 15 field trip hours (excluding self-study hours)

Lecturer(s) / Tutor(s)

Scientists from Center for Healthy Aging (CEHA) at UCPH and foreign experts within the aging research field, including researchers from other IARU partners.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available through http://housingfoundation.ku.dk/ and/or http://studies.ku.dk/summer/housing-for-summer-course where:

Students must arrive by Sunday 3 July 2016.
Students will be able to check in from Friday 1 July 2016.
Check-out date: Expectedly Sunday 31 July 2016.

Students have the option to stay longer upon request.

However students may find accommodation on their own, but must arrive one day prior course start.

Costs

Figures are estimates only. Click on each item for details.

Scholarships/funding for incoming students

Novo Nordisk International Talent Program is a scholarship programme set up to assist students from IARU study abroad at the University of Copenhagen.

The scholarship may be used to cover tuition fees, travel costs, insurance and other expenses incurred in connection with studying abroad at the University of Copenhagen.

The scholarship will typically amount to approximately EURO € 1200 a month.
To apply for a scholarship, please see: http://studies.ku.dk/exchange/admission/nnitp_scholarship/

Required and/or Recommended Insurance(s)

 http://studies.ku.dk/welcome/living-in-copenhagen/health-and-safety/insurance/

Further required Application Material

The applicants are encouraged to write and submit an essay (max. 1 page) together with their application about their interests and plans for their future studies.

If you wish to apply for a scholarship from the Novo Nordisk International Talent Program, please see: http://studies.ku.dk/exchange/admission/nnitp_scholarship/

Further Information

http://healthyaging.ku.dk/
http://healthyaging.ku.dk/for_students/iarusommerskoler/iarusummerschool_2016/
http://studies.ku.dk/welcome/