The IGERT in Aging Sciences provides interdisciplinary graduate education through formal coursework, research requirements, and experiential learning that is aligned with the student’s career goals.
Formal Coursework and the Aging Sciences Minor*
IGERT trainees work towards a graduate minor in Aging Sciences, which integrates knowledge from the diet and genetics, musculoskeletal, psychosocial, and gerontechnology research cores. To complete this integrated minor, IGERT trainees must acquire a minimum of 15 credits from the following course work at Oregon State University:
*The minor in Aging Sciences requires a Category II proposal which is pending
- HDFS 565 – Behavioral & Social Sciences of Aging (3 credits) Fall 2011
- BB 565 – Physiological & Molecular Aspects of Aging (3 credits) Fall 2012
- IST 520x – Responsible Conduct of Research (1 credit) Fall 2011
- HDFS 607 – Seminar/Research & Professional Topics in Aging (1 credit) Fall, Winter, Spring
Any of the following courses can be used to support the minor:
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Computer Science
- CS 519a – Information Visualization
- CS 519b – Human Computer Interaction
Exercise & Sport Science
- EXSS 515 – Motor Control & Movement Dysfunction
- EXSS 534 – Muscle Physiology & Plasticity
- EXSS 536 – Cardiovascular Physiology & Disease
- EXSS 560 – Motivation in Physical Activity
- EXSS 562 – Lifespan Sport & Exercise Psychology
- EXSS 599 – Bone Physiology
- EXSS 599 – Clinical, Sport, & Occupational Biomechanics
Philosophy
- PHL 544 – Biomedical Ethics
- PHL 555 – Death & Dying
Psychology
- PSY 540 – Cognition Research
- PSY 598 – Health Psychology
Sociology
- SOC 532 – Sociology of Aging
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Public Health
- H 522 – Health, Aging, & Control of Chronic Disease
- H 532 – Economic Issues in Health & Medical Care
- H 567 – Long-Term Care Alternatives
- H 568 – Financing & Admin of Long-Term Care
- H 576 – Proposal Writing in Health & Human Services
Human Development & Family Sciences
- HDFS 518 – Adult Development &Aging
- HDFS 587 – Social Gerontology
- HDFS 617 – Advanced Topics in Adult Development & Aging
Nutrition
- NUTR 514 – Health Benefits of Functional Foods, &
- Dietary Supplement
- NUTR 515 – Global Food Resources & Nutrition
- NUTR 520 – Medical Nutrition Therapy
- NUTR 523 – Community Nutrition
- NUTR 529 – Nutrition & Aging
- NUTR 535 – Nutrition & Exercise: Macronutrients and
- Energy Metabolism
- NUTR 577 – Dietary Interventions for Public Health
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Research in Supplementary Core
In addition to conducting research in their primary core IGERT trainees will also choose a mentor from a supplementary CHAR core and participate as a research apprentice. IGERT trainees are required to spend a significant amount of time (TBD by graduate committee, typically 1-3 credits per term for an academic year) in a research group that is led by the supplementary mentor. Trainees will work with their primary advisors to choose a mentor from a supplementary core to assist with research. These connections will be integrated into the trainees’ dissertations, influence their future careers, and will also serve to strengthen interdisciplinary ties among faculty.
Professional Training- The Aging Traineeship Forum [e.g., HDFS 607]
The Aging Traineeship Forum is a weekly (1 credit) seminar meeting for discussion of current research, methodological issues, and policy issues in the field; it will also be a mechanism for offering training in leadership and professional skills. The Aging Traineeship Forum will be led by a different CHAR core each term. This forum will provide a consistent mechanism for the PI and Co-PIs to communicate with students. Two central activities of the Aging Traineeship Forum will be:
- Colloquium Series – Formal colloquia provide trainees opportunities to learn about IGERT faculty members’ research programs, present their own research ideas and projects, and to interact and network with renowned visiting scholars.
- Professional Training – Students will learn a variety of professional skills such as how to effectively communicate with scientists outside their own discipline, as well as to the general public, and legislative bodies for funding and social policy; teaching skills; grant writing skills; issues in early stage careers; etc.
LIFE outside OSU– Internship/Externship
At some point in the doctoral program IGERT trainees are expected to participate in an internship/externship related to aging sciences outside of Oregon State University in a research, agency, or business setting for which they could earn internship credits toward their minor. Career development opportunities will include internship/practicum opportunities with:
- researchers at other universities in the U.S. or abroad (e.g., University of Victoria; Salamanca U.)
- state and local agencies (e.g., AARP; Oregon Division of Health and Human Services)
- businesses that design aging products and services (e.g., Intel)
Mentoring Undergraduate Researchers
Undergraduates who exhibit exceptional scholarship and interest in research are accepted into the summer LIFE scholar program. IGERT students have the opportunity to build leadership and supervisory skills by working with these undergraduates as members of a research team.
Teaching
IGERT students will learn teaching skills and will deliver a minimum of four consecutive lectures in a formal class during their degree program. The class professor will work with the student in planning the lectures as well as provide structured feedback appropriate as a component of a teaching portfolio.
