Undergraduate Program Curriculum - USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology Admissions Skip to main content

Choose the coursework that’s right for you.

We offer the most comprehensive selection of undergraduate gerontology degree programs found anywhere.

Course Catalogue

Minor in Gerontology

Some undergraduates prefer to focus on another field or subject area and minor in gerontology. They have two options: our Individuals, Societies, and Aging Minor or the Science, Health, and Aging Minor.

Minor in Individuals, Societies and Aging

20 Units Total

Core Courses

GERO 320 – Psychology of Adult Development
GERO 330 – Society and Adult Development
GERO 340 – Policy, Values, and Power in an Aging Society

Elective Courses (choose two)

GERO 380 – Diversity in Aging
GERO 416 – Health Issues in Adulthood
GERO 435m – Women and Aging: Psychological, Social and Political Implications
GERO 437 – Social and Psychological Aspects of Death and Dying
GERO 481 – Case Management for Older Adults
GERO 491 – Practicum

Minor in Science, Health and Aging

20 Units Total

Core Courses (*Prerequisites Required)

GERO 310 – Physiology of Aging*
GERO 414 – Neurobiology of Aging*
GERO 416 – Health Issues in Aging OR
GERO 496 – Introduction to Clinical Geriatrics

Elective Courses (choose two)

GERO 315g – A Journey Into the Mind
GERO 415 – Neuroaffective Disorders of Aging
GERO 437 – Social and Psychological Aspects of Death and Dying
GERO 440 – Biodemography of Aging
GERO 475 – Ethical Issues in Geriatric Health Care
GERO 495 – Practicum in Geriatric Care

Minor in Geroscience

The Geroscience Minor provides students with the opportunity to supplement their education with a life course perspective of aging processes.

16 Units Total

Core Courses

Take GERO 300 (2 units) and GERO 301 (2 units) and GERO 490 (2 units) for four semesters (12 units total).

GERO 300 – Introduction to Geroscience Research
GERO 301 – Current Topics in Geroscience Research
GERO 490x – Directed Research

Elective Courses (choose one)

GERO 315g – A Journey into the Mind
GERO 330 – Society and Adult Development
GERO 340 – Policy, Values, and Power in an Aging Society
GERO 380m – Diversity in Aging
GERO 416 – Health Issues in Adulthood
GERO 435m – Women and Aging: Psychological, Social and Political Implications
GERO 440 – Biodemography of Aging

Bachelor of Science

Our interdisciplinary curriculum focuses on biological and social development across the lifespan. Students have two options: the Social Science track or the Health Science track.

Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Aging | Social Science Track

The Social Science track is for students who want to pursue a career in law, policy, psychology, sociology, or health administration.

128 Units Total

General Education

WRIT 150 (Spring Freshman Year)
WRIT 340 (Junior or Senior Year)
A The Arts
B Humanistic Inquiry
B Humanistic Inquiry
C Social Analysis
C Social Analysis
D Life Sciences
E Physical Sciences
F Quantitative Reasoning
G Citizenship in a Global Era
H Traditions and Historical Foundations
General Education Seminar

Core Courses

Honor’s Program requires GERO 497ABC and GERO 593

GERO 200 – Gerontology: The Science of Adult Development
GERO 320g – Psychology of Adult Development
GERO 330 – Sociology of Adult Development
GERO 340 – Policy, Values, and Power in an Aging Society
GERO 416 – Health Issues in Aging
GERO 491 – Gerontology Practicum (Fall Sr. year)
GERO 492 – Senior Seminar in Aging (Spring Sr. year)
GERO Electives | 20 Units – 300/400
Statistics: PSYC 274, PPD303, OR SOCI 314

Language

12 units of foreign language or ITP

General Electives

8 upper division units

Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Aging | Health Science Track

The Health Science track is designed for students who want to pursue a career in medicine or other health-related fields.

128 Units Total

General Education

WRIT 150 (Spring Freshman Year)
WRIT 340 (Junior or Senior Year)
A The Arts
B Humanistic Inquiry
B Humanistic Inquiry
C Social Analysis
C Social Analysis
D Life Sciences
E Physical Sciences
F Quantitative Reasoning
G Citizenship in a Global Era
H Traditions and Historical Foundations
General Education Seminar

Core Courses

Honor’s Program requires GERO 497ABC and GERO 593

GERO 310 – Physiology of Aging
GERO 320 – Psychology of Adult Development OR
GERO 330 – Sociology of Adult Development
GERO 340 – Policy, Values, and Power in an Aging Society
GERO 414 – Neurobiology of Aging
GERO 495 – Practicum in Geriatric Care
GERO Electives (12 units – 300/400)

Science and Mathematics Requirements

BISC 120L – General Biology
BISC 220L – General Biology
CHEM 105aL – General Chemistry I
CHEM 105bL – General Chemistry II
CHEM 322aL – Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 322bL – Organic Chemistry II
PHYS 135aL – Physics for the Life Sciences I
PHYS 135bL – Physics for the Life Sciences II
ITP 101 – Introduction to Business Information Technologies
MATH 125 – Calculus I

General Electives

8 upper-division units

Bachelor of Science in Lifespan Health

This degree is for students who plan to pursue a career in medicine, pharmacy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, or related fields. The curriculum covers the biological and medical aspects of health, including disease prevention, detection, and treatment.

128 Units Total

General Education

WRIT 150 (Spring Freshman Year)
WRIT 340 (Junior or Senior Year)
A The Arts
B Humanistic Inquiry
B Humanistic Inquiry
C Social Analysis
C Social Analysis
D Life Sciences
E Physical Sciences
F Quantitative Reasoning
G Citizenship in a Global Era
H Traditions and Historical Foundations
General Education Seminar

Core Courses

GERO 200 – Gerontology: The Science of Adult Development
GERO 310 – Physiology of Aging
GERO 320 – Psychology of Adult Development
GERO 416 – Health Issues in Aging
GERO 483 – Global Health and Aging
GERO 492 – Senior Seminar in Aging
GERO 495 – Practicum in Geriatric Care
GERO Electives (12 units – 300/400)

Language

12 units of foreign language or ITP

Skills Courses

Choose 3 of 5

GERO 414 – Neurobiology of Aging
GERO 437 – Social and Psychological Aspects of Death and Dying
GERO 440 – Biodemography of Aging
GERO 475 – Ethical Issues in Geriatric Care
GERO 481 – Case Management for Older Adults

General Electives

8 upper-division units