Undergraduate Programmes
The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Programme > Overview
BSc in Gerontology
Overview
Gerontology: Value in contemporary society
"When I am old...
Would you avoid continuing this sentence? Is the sense of loneliness, illness, discrimination, and loss of control associated with aging too overwhelming? In Hong Kong, people are regarded as older adults at 65 and life expectancy for the local population is 85 . Therefore, we would spend nearly a quarter of our lives in old age. However, we can make this quarter of life worth embracing but not dejecting.
Programme Nature and Career Prospect
The Bachelor of Science in Gerontology Programme (GRON) is a University Grants Commit-tee funded two-year full-time credit-based articulated honours programme. It is offered in response to the expanding ageing population and the associated aged care workforce shortage in Hong Kong. The programme put emphasis on both theoretical and practical components of gerontology probing the discipline at different levels from health and societal policy to individual care, and from multiple angles from ethical, financial, preventive and rehabilitative perspectives.
Through this programme, students will be equipped with the following well sought-after capacities.
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Plan for aged care to reduce the burden on society – to optimize policies, coordinate services to improve efficiency, and improve financing strategies
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Guard the most vulnerable group to infections – to strengthen the infection control capacity of aged service facilities based on knowledge of infectious diseases
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Steer quality aged service innovation – to scientifically innovate services, strengthen communications among practitioners, and provide high-quality and individualized services
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Comfort fears related to dying - to guide older adults with terminal illness and their relatives with knowledge and skills, and design appropriate hospice care plans
Graduates can pursue a career in a wide range of social and health care settings providing active aged and long-term care services. They can start their career as a multi-skilled practitioner in gerontological care and take up key roles in coordinating inter-disciplinary care, planning and implementing evidence-based care models (such as care management, empowerment programme, telecare, and transitional care), and performing service administration, evaluation and reengineering. They can also advance to higher management levels after accumulating adequate work experience.
Graduates with good academic results can pursue postgraduate studies in various disciplines, such as master’s programme in public health, health service management, rehabilitative sciences, nursing, or social work.
Programme Structure
Course List
A. Required Courses
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Society Perspectives of Ageing
Ageing, Health and Society
Promoting Successful Ageing: Individual and Societal Perspectives
Psychology in Ageing: Theories and Application
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Aged care
Basic Care in Gerontology
Chronic Disease Management in Ageing
Dementia: Prevention and Management
Death, Dying and End-of-life Care
Aged Care Service Planning and Delivery Models
Ethical and Financial Issues in Ageing
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Public Health Foundation and Tools
Foundations in Public Health
Introduction to Biostatistics
Introduction to Epidemiology
Principles of Infectious Diseases
Practical Skills in the Public Health Management of Infectious Diseases
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Gerontological Practicum
B. Elective Courses in Policy and Innovations
Health and Social Care Policy in Ageing
Mental Health as a Public Health Issue
Nutrition and Health
Innovations and Evidence-based Practice for Aged Care Services
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Advantages of studying at the JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, CUHK
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Obtaining an undergraduate qualification in gerontology from an internationally renowned university;
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Studying in a friendly and stimulating environment with the support of helpful academic staff;
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Engaging in a vibrant university and college life, with various social and academic activities;
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Participating in overseas exchange programmes to appreciate different cultures and grow as independent individuals;
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A variety of scholarships and awards are available to provide incentives for excellence;
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The School has strong connection with local public health professionals and aged care organizations and offers the practicum that allows students transfer theoretical knowledge into practice in various settings
Admission
Applicants shall be eligible to apply for admission if they:
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have successfully completed a local course of study leading to the qualification of associate degree/ higher diploma; and
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have attained an acceptable level of proficiency in English and Chinese languages.
