Overview
The worldwide increase in the aged population raises fundamental issues in terms of healthcare and societal provisions. The promotion of health in the elderly and maintaining of health into old age has attracted much attention internationally, nationally and locally. There is a general recognition that improvements to support healthy ageing are paramount to sustainability.
This course seeks to develop an understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of the ageing process in humans, and how this primary biological information can be applied to the maintenance of health in old age.
Ultimately, we aim to produce postgraduates capable of making a significant contribution to maintaining the health of the elderly population through an understanding of the ageing process and how age associated disease burden can be both mitigated and managed.
Graduates could enter employment in the laboratory and public health research arena, nutrition and longevity schemes in both the public and private sector, exercise and longevity, applied health promotion for the elderly, health management, functional food sciences, geriatric rehabilitation, scientific journalism, pharmaceutical industry, and policy advice on ageing and education. Additionally, the course prepares students for higher level study such PhD level study.
Content and Modules
The delivery of the course comprises a mixture of structured “taught” modules and self directed study and literature reviews. The programme culminates with a research project dissertation aligned to the ongoing research at UCS in cell therapies, regenerative medicine and healthy ageing within the new Biotechnology Research Unit. This provides students with the opportunity to fully engage with contemporary research in the field.
The curriculum covers a range of important topics from the biology of the ageing cell through to key practical applications of nutrition and activity (exercise) for maintenance of health in old age. Students will also get to explore the field of future medicines where a range of innovative technologies are set to revolutionise the treatments of diseases associated with old age.
Modules studied include:
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Molecular and Cellular Basis of Ageing
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Exercise Physiology for Healthy Ageing
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Nutrition for Healthy Ageing
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Future Medicines
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Research Methods and Funding
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Research Project Dissertation
Further Information
The course includes a range of assessments designed to test a broad range of skills and development of knowledge. Assessment includes literature reviews, funding applications, poster presentations, examinations and science communications. As would be expected with postgraduate study, assessments are designed to stimulate thought, discussion and debate.
Please contact course leaders:
Robert Ellis (robert.ellis@ucs.ac.uk) or Dr Val Mann (v.mann@ucs.ac.uk)