Gerontology, B.I.S.

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The BIS in Gerontology will provide undergraduate students an opportunity to gain knowledge of aging across the life course through a diverse perspective. Gerontology-related courses are designed to draw on a variety of disciplines to expose students to the issues, knowledge, and research about aging processes, older people, and the complex needs of our rapidly aging society. The overarching objective is to offer a major that will provide students with a gerontological knowledge base and skills that will prepare them for career opportunities in the field of aging (e.g., entry-level professional jobs in direct services to older persons in nutrition programs, senior centers, volunteer programs, nursing homes, and residential and assisted living facilities) and/or admission to graduate and professional degree programs (e.g., such as gerontology, medicine, nursing, psychology, public administration, sociology, and social work) in which they plan to pursue a specialization in gerontology. Students interested in pursuing the BIS in Gerontology major can select either the Behavioral and Social Sciences or Health and Health Services Allied Field.

Program Admission

Students may enroll in a concentration upon admission to Georgia State University. Students who wish to change their major to this degree program should select a concentration in consultation with their academic advisor and the faculty coordinator. A 2.0 Georgia State University GPA is required.

Students who enroll in a concentration will be required to submit a course plan checklist to demonstrate their understanding of the degree requirements. It is highly recommended that students develop a course of study with their specific faculty coordinator before taking coursework in the degree program to avoid taking courses that will not count towards graduation.

Academic Advisement for Undergraduate Students

Academic advisement for undergraduate students is provided through the University Advisement Center (freshman through junior status/fewer than 90 hours) and the college’s Office of Academic Assistance (senior status/90 or more hours). See Office of Academic Assistance for additional information.

Degree Requirements

Please refer to the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies section 3030 of this catalog for academic regulations for this program.

Students must complete coursework in at least three disciplines (defined by course prefixes) in Area G and in at least two disciplines in Area H. Areas G and H should be constructed so that students take courses in distinct disciplines in each area (with some overlap expected); that is, the same prefix should not predominate in both Area G and H.

In addition, Per Georgia State University’s requirements, all undergraduate students must satisfy a common core curriculum. The requirements can be found in the current university Undergraduate Catalog (see Office of Academic Assistance and 1400 University Degree Requirements and Graduation ).

University Grade-Point Average and Grade Requirements

Georgia State University undergraduate students must achieve an overall institutional grade-point average of 2.0 and a major GPA of 2.0 in Areas G and H to receive a bachelor’s degree from the university. Grades of C- can be used to satisfy graduation requirements. However, some courses have prerequisites that require a grade of C or higher. (See 1460 GPA Requirement for additional information.)

Area F: Courses Appropriate to the Major (18 Hours)

Required Courses (3-6 Hours)

GERO 2000 - Introduction to Gerontology 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 1101 - Introduction to General Psychology 3 Credit Hours

World Language Requirements (3 Hours)

World language 1002 or higher course 3 Hours

Elective Courses

Select additional courses as necessary from the following to complete 18 hours in Area F.

AAS 1141 - Introduction to African and African American History to 1865 3 Credit Hours
or
HIST 1141 - Introduction to African and African American History to 1865 3 Credit Hours
AAS 1142 - Introduction to African American History Since 1865 3 Credit Hours
or
HIST 1142 - Introduction to African American History Since 1865 3 Credit Hours
AAS 2010 - Introduction to Africana Studies 3 Credit Hours
ANTH 1102 - Introduction to Anthropology 3 Credit Hours
ANTH 2010 - Introduction to Biological Anthropology 3 Credit Hours
ANTH 2020 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 3 Credit Hours
BIOL 1103K - Introductory Biology I 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 1104K - Introductory Biology II 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 2107 - Principles of Biology I 3 Credit Hours
BIOL 2107L - Principles of Biology I Laboratory 1 Credit Hours
BIOL 2108 - Principles of Biology II 3 Credit Hours
BIOL 2108L - Principles of Biology II Laboratory 1 Credit Hours
BIOL 2110K - Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 2120K - Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 2240 - Introduction to Human Physiology 3 Credit Hours
BIOL 2300 - Microbiology and Public Health 3 Credit Hours
BIOL 2310 - Microbiology and Public Health Laboratory 1 Credit Hours
CHEM 1151 - Survey of Chemistry I 3 Credit Hours
CHEM 1151L - Survey of Chemistry I Laboratory 1 Credit Hours
CHEM 1152 - Survey of Chemistry II 3 Credit Hours
CHEM 1152L - Survey of Chemistry II Laboratory 1 Credit Hours
CHEM 2100 - Intermediate Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 2 Credit Hours
CHEM 2400 - Organic Chemistry I 3 Credit Hours
CHEM 2410 - Organic Chemistry II 3 Credit Hours
CNHP 2010 - Medical Terminology for Healthcare 3 Credit Hours
ECON 2100 - Global Economics 3 Credit Hours
ECON 2105 - Principles of Macroeconomics 3 Credit Hours
ECON 2106 - Principles of Microeconomics 3 Credit Hours
KH 2130 - Introduction to Kinesiology and Health 3 Credit Hours
KH 2220 - Anatomy in Kinesiology and Health 3 Credit Hours
KH 2230 - Physiology in Kinesiology and Health 3 Credit Hours
MATH 1001 - Quantitative Reasoning 3 Credit Hours
MATH 1111 - College Algebra 3 Credit Hours
MATH 1113 - Precalculus 3 Credit Hours
MATH 1220 - Survey of Calculus 3 Credit Hours
MATH 1401 - Elementary Statistics 3 Credit Hours
MATH 2201 - Calculus for the Life Sciences I 4 Credit Hours
MATH 2211 - Calculus of One Variable I 4 Credit Hours
NURS 2010 - Health and Human Development Across the Lifespan 3 Credit Hours
POLS 2101 - Introduction to Political Science 3 Credit Hours
POLS 2401 - Global Issues 3 Credit Hours
PHYS 1111K - Introductory Physics I 4 Credit Hours
PHYS 1112K - Introductory Physics II 4 Credit Hours
PHPB 2000 - Introduction to Public Health 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 2040 - Introduction to Applied Psychology 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 2050 - Introduction to Drugs and Behavior 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 2103 - Introduction to Human Development 3 Credit Hours
SCOM 1010 - Improving Voice and Articulation 3 Credit Hours
SCOM 1500 - Public Speaking 3 Credit Hours
SOCI 1101 - Introduction to Sociology 3 Credit Hours
SOCI 1160 - Introduction to Social Problems 3 Credit Hours
SW 2000 - Introduction to Social Work 3 Credit Hours
WGSS 2010 - Introduction to Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies 3 Credit Hours

Area G: Area of Concentration - Gerontology (27-29 Hours)

Interdisciplinary Course Selection

Students must complete coursework in at least three disciplines (defined by course prefixes) in Area G.

Students are strongly encouraged to take the statistics and methods courses in sequence. Specifically, a course in section 1 below should be taken prior to the course selected in section 2 below. Several courses in section 2 have a prerequisite from section 1, and in this case sequencing is not optional. Students may not take courses in section 1 and 2 below during the same term.*

Select One Course (3-4 Hours)

GERO 3010 - Social Science Statistics for Gerontology 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 3510 - Introduction to Research Design and Analysis 4 Credit Hours
SOCI 3010 - Social Statistics 3 Credit Hours
SW 3500 - Methods of Social Work Research 3 Credit Hours

Select One Course (3-4 Hours)

AAS 3980 - Research Methods in Africana Studies-CTW 3 Credit Hours
GERO 3020 - Social Research Methods in Gerontology 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 3530 - Advanced Research Design/Data Analysis CTW 4 Credit Hours
SOCI 3020 - Social Research Methods-CTW 3 Credit Hours

Required Courses (21 Hours)

See “Interdisciplinary Course Selection” guidance above.

GERO 3124 - Diversity and Aging 3 Credit Hours
or
SOCI 3124 - Diversity and Aging 3 Credit Hours
GERO 4110 - Aging Policy and Services 3 Credit Hours
or
SOCI 4110 - Aging Policy and Services 3 Credit Hours
GERO 4116 - Aging and Society 3 Credit Hours
or
SOCI 4116 - Aging and Society 3 Credit Hours
GERO 4200 - Health and the Older Adult 3 Credit Hours
GERO 4610 - Psychology of Aging 3 Credit Hours
or
PSYC 4610 - Psychology of Aging 3 Credit Hours
GERO 4910 - Gerontology Internship 1 to 6 Credit Hours (Research or Applied)

Select One Course

GERO 4995 - Directed Readings B.I.S.-CTW 3 to 4 Credit Hours
GERO 4850 - Senior Seminar in Gerontology 3 Credit Hours

Area H: Allied Field - Behavioral and Social Science (15 Hours)

Students must complete coursework in at least two disciplines (defined by course prefixes) in Area H.

Select Five Courses (15 Hours)

AAS 3000 - African-American Family 3 Credit Hours
or
SOCI 3162 - African-American Family 3 Credit Hours
AAS 3050 - Introduction to African-American Psychology 3 Credit Hours
or
PSYC 3520 - Introduction to African-American Psychology 3 Credit Hours
AAS 4000 - Issues in the African-American Community 3 Credit Hours
or
SOCI 4310 - Issues in the African-American Community 3 Credit Hours
ANTH 4460 - Health and Culture 4 Credit Hours
CHEM 3110 - Intermediate Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 2 Credit Hours
CHEM 3400 - Structure and Reactivity of Biomolecules 3 Credit Hours
CHEM 4600 - Biochemistry I 5 Credit Hours
PMAP 3011 - Policy and Politics in the American City 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3021 - Citizenship in the Local Community 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3210 - Introduction to Nonprofits 3 Credit Hours
PMAP 3231 - Nonprofit Leadership and Management 3 Credit Hours
POLS 3110 - State Government 3 Credit Hours
POLS 3145 - Introduction to American Law 3 Credit Hours
POLS 3170 - American Legislative Process 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 3140 - Psychopathology and Abnormal Psychology 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 3450 - Health Psychology 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 4020 - Social Psychology 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 4030 - Cross-Cultural Psychology 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 4040 - Developmental Psychology 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 4100 - Cognitive Psychology 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 4120 - Learning 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 4160 - Theories of Personality 3 Credit Hours
PSYC 4510 - Community Psychology 3 Credit Hours
RELS 3060 - Religion and Science 3 Credit Hours
RELS 4240 - Death and the Afterlife 3 Credit Hours
RELS 4250 - African-American Religion 3 Credit Hours
SCOM 3000 - Phonetics 3 Credit Hours
SCOM 4400 - Development of Communication and Language Across the Lifespan 3 Credit Hours
SCOM 4410 - Communication Disorders 3 Credit Hours
SCOM 4560 - Health Communication 3 Credit Hours
SOCI 3030 - Sociological Theory 3 Credit Hours
SOCI 3040 - Cognition and Society 3 Credit Hours
SOCI 3101 - Families and Society 3 Credit Hours
SOCI 3156 - Sexuality and Society 3 Credit Hours
SOCI 3212 - Race and Ethnic Relations 3 Credit Hours
SOCI 4230 - Sociology of Health and Illness 3 Credit Hours
SW 3000 - Communication/Cultural Diversity 3 Credit Hours
SW 4320 - Social Work Administration 3 Credit Hours
SW 4330 - Contemporary Health Challenges 3 Credit Hours
SW 4440 - Global Social Work Practice, Policy, and Research 3 Credit Hours
SW 4460 - Aging Practice, Policy and Research 3 Credit Hours
SW 4480 - Disabilities Practice, Policy, and Research 3 Credit Hours

Or

Area H: Allied Field - Health and Health Services (15 Hours)

Students must complete coursework in at least two disciplines (defined by course prefixes) in Area H.

Select Five Courses (15 Hours)

Courses selected within Area H: Allied Field - Health and Health Services may require authorization from the instructor prior to registration.

ANTH 4460 - Health and Culture 4 Credit Hours
CNHP 3000 - Communication/Cultural Diversity 3 Credit Hours
CNHP 3010 - Advanced Medical Terminology 3 Credit Hours
CNHP 3100 - Electronic Health Records 3 Credit Hours
CNHP 4010 - Leadership and Ethics in Healthcare 3 Credit Hours
CNHP 4110 - Future Trends-Telehealth (CTW) 3 Credit Hours
ECON 4210 - Health Economics 3 Credit Hours
ECON 4350 - Economics of Poverty and Public Policy 3 Credit Hours
KH 3360 - Disability, Sport, and Physical Activity 3 Credit Hours
KH 3600 - Biomechanics 3 Credit Hours
KH 3610 - Motor Learning and Development 3 Credit Hours
KH 3650 - Physiology of Exercise-CTW 4 Credit Hours
KH 3710 - Health Risk Behaviors-CTW 3 Credit Hours
NURS 3200 - Introduction to Clinical Nutrition 2 Credit Hours
NUTR 3105 - Normal Nutrition through the Life Cycle 3 Credit Hours
NUTR 4955 - Nutrition and Food Policy 3 Credit Hours
PHPH 3004 - Chronic Disease Epidemiology 3 Credit Hours
PHPH 4300 - Introduction to Controversies in Public Health 3 Credit Hours
RT 3005 - Clinical Cardiopulmonary Physiology 3 Credit Hours
RT 3040 - Respiratory Care Pharmacology 3 Credit Hours
RT 3027 - Pulmonary Diseases 3 Credit Hours
RT 4020 - Neurobiology of Sleep 3 Credit Hours
RT 4096 - End of Life Issues 1 Credit Hours
SCOM 4560 - Health Communication 3 Credit Hours
SW 4320 - Social Work Administration 3 Credit Hours
SW 4330 - Contemporary Health Challenges 3 Credit Hours
SW 4440 - Global Social Work Practice, Policy, and Research 3 Credit Hours
SW 4460 - Aging Practice, Policy and Research 3 Credit Hours
SW 4480 - Disabilities Practice, Policy, and Research 3 Credit Hours

Area J: Electives

Students take elective courses beyond those specified in Areas A-H to reach the 120 hours needed to earn a bachelor’s degree (including 39 hours at the 3000-4000 level taken at Georgia State University). The following courses are recommended as elective options for students pursuing the BIS with a concentration in Gerontology if additional hours are needed to reach 120 hours.

GERO 4119 - Global Aging and Families 3 Credit Hours
GERO 4122 - Death, Dying and Loss 3 Credit Hours
GERO 4130 - Ties that Bind: Family,Intimacy,and Aging 3 Credit Hours
GERO 4475 - Communication and Aging 3 Credit Hours
GERO 4700 - Special Topics in Gerontology 3 Credit Hours
GERO 4800 - Directed Study in Gerontology 1 to 6 Credit Hours
SW 4460 - Aging Practice, Policy and Research 3 Credit Hours
Any course listed in Area H not taken to meet Area H requirements

Graduation with Distinction in the Major

This program offers undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn the designation of graduation with distinction in the major. Please contact the undergraduate director for the specific criteria for this honor.