POPLPRAC 758 : Biology of Ageing

Medical and Health Sciences

2024 Semester One (1243) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

The systematic analysis of the physiological changes in ageing and the relationship of these changes to current beliefs and theories around the ageing process. Current issues around biogerontology are discussed.

Course Overview

The course appeals to students who have clinical expertise around the care of older people and those who have an academic interest in the physiology of ageing. The content of the course reflects the current issues around bio-gerontology. The course systematically addresses physiological changes in the ageing mammal and relates these changes to the current beliefs and theories around the ageing process.

Course Requirements

Restriction: POPLHLTH 749

Course Contacts

COURSE COORDINATOR
Dr Kathy Peri
Email: k.peri@auckland.ac.nz
COURSE ADMINISTRATOR
Riz Sari
Email:r.sari@auckland.ac.nz

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Critically review and apply the concept of biological ageing (Capability 1, 3, 4 and 5)
  2. Describe and discuss the normal age-related biological changes that occur in mammalian systems (Capability 1, 3, 4 and 5)
  3. Describe and discuss the current understanding of the theoretical basis for ageing (Capability 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  4. Critically apply knowledge of bio-gerontology research to the changes observed at the cellular level (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
  5. Examine and describe key components of human age-related disease processes (Capability 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 20% Individual Coursework
Assignments 35% Individual Coursework
Assignments 35% Individual Coursework
Discussions 10% Group & Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Assignments
Assignments
Assignments
Discussions

Workload Expectations

This course is a self-directed and self-paced online 30-point course and students are expected to spend 20 hours per week involved in learning.

For this course, you can expect to spend time working through the online course with additional self-directed reading and thinking about the content.  This will contribute to the work on assignments and discussion preparation.  Three online optional tutorials will be conducted during the semester to support students learning and assignment development. 

Delivery Mode

Online

The course is a self directed online course. 
The course will include live online events including group discussions/tutorials and these will be recorded.
Attendance on campus is not required.
Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement.
This course runs to the University semester/quarter timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Learning resources are provided online through Canvas

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

No changes to student feedback for this course .

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.