Course Detail

Course Description Course Outline Course Contribution to Program Qualifications Assessment Methods ECTS-Workload Detail Informations of the Course Numerical Data

Course Description

Course	Code	Semester	T+P (Hour)	Credit	ECTS
COGNITIVE AGING	PSK4216978	Spring Semester	3+0	3	6

Course Program

Prerequisites Courses
Recommended Elective Courses

Language of Course	Turkish
Course Level	First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Course Type	Elective
Course Coordinator	Assist.Prof. Duygu BUĞA
Name of Lecturer(s)
Assistant(s)
Aim	This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of cognitive aging by examining cognitive, emotional, personality, and social changes within their biological and psychosocial contexts. The course focuses on distinguishing healthy aging from pathological aging, understanding the cognitive and behavioral characteristics of neurodegenerative diseases, and gaining knowledge about assessment, intervention, rehabilitation, and ethical considerations.
Course Content	This course contains; Introduction, What Is Aging?,Biological Aging and the Brain,Cognitive Aging,Emotional and Personality Changes ,Social Aging and Psychosocial Factors,Healthy Aging,Mild Cognitive Impairment,Alzheimer’s Disease,Other Neurodegenerative Disorders: Parkinson’s Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia,Neuropsychological Assessment ,Behavioral and Psychiatric Symptoms,Intervention, Rehabilitation, and Prevention,Caregiver Burden and Ethics,Current Approaches and Future Research Directions.

Course Learning Outcomes	Teaching Methods	Assessment Methods
1. Explain the biological, cognitive, emotional, and social changes associated with the aging process.	1	A
2. Distinguish between healthy cognitive aging and pathological aging processes.	1	A
3. Describe the cognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric symptoms observed in neurodegenerative disorders.	1	A
4. Explain the basic principles of neuropsychological assessment and intervention approaches in older adults.	1	A
5. Critically evaluate caregiver burden, ethical responsibilities, and current research approaches.	1	A, C

Teaching Methods:	1: Mastery Learning
Assessment Methods:	A: Traditional Written Exam, C: Multiple-Choice Exam

Course Outline

Order	Subjects	Preliminary Work
1	Introduction, What Is Aging?	1, 2
2	Biological Aging and the Brain	1, 2
3	Cognitive Aging	1, 2
4	Emotional and Personality Changes	1, 2
5	Social Aging and Psychosocial Factors	1, 2
6	Healthy Aging	1, 2
7	Mild Cognitive Impairment	1, 2
8	Alzheimer’s Disease	1, 2
9	Other Neurodegenerative Disorders: Parkinson’s Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia	1, 2
10	Neuropsychological Assessment	1, 2
11	Behavioral and Psychiatric Symptoms	1, 2
12	Intervention, Rehabilitation, and Prevention	1, 2
13	Caregiver Burden and Ethics	1, 2
14	Current Approaches and Future Research Directions	1, 2

Resources

1. Whitbourne, S. K., & Whitbourne, S. B. (2025). Adult Development and Aging: Biopsychosocial Perspectives. John Wiley & Sons. 2. Salthouse, T. (2010). Major issues in cognitive aging. Oxford University Press.

Course Contribution to Program Qualifications

Course Contribution to Program Qualifications
No	Program Qualification	Contribution Level
No	Program Qualification	1	2	3	4	5
1	Knows the basic concepts of research and application-oriented sub-fields of psychology and the basic theories of these fields.					X
2	Can compare theories and schools in the history of psychology, and relate new developments with this knowledge.			X
3	Can recognize and interpret the problems they encounter and offer solutions using their expert knowledge.					X
4	Can investigate a problem with scientific methods, interpret findings and turn the results into a scientific publication.		X
5	Can lead the project, plan and manage the activities in a team established to solve the problems related to their field.
6	Can question and criticize new ideas from a scientific point of view without taking sides.					X
7	They adopt the principle of lifelong learning and can follow new developments in their field.					X
8	Can share their findings, knowledge and solution suggestions about a problem with colleagues or people outside of their field in written or oral form, in an appropriate language.				X
9	They have a sense of social responsibility and can use their professional achievements in solving problems in their near and far surroundings.			X
10	Speaks English at least at B1 level to follow international professional developments.
11	Has basic computer skills and can communicate with colleagues on up-to-date platforms.
12	Knows the basic tools of psychology used in assessment and evaluation and can use these tools.	X
13	Knows professional responsibilities, authorization, and limits, recognizes psychological problems, can make the right referral for their solution, and abides by ethical principles in research and practice.					X
14	They consider individual and cultural differences in research and practice and take these differences into account while evaluating the research results.			X

Assessment Methods

Contribution Level	Absolute Evaluation
Rate of Midterm Exam to Success		40
Rate of Final Exam to Success		60
Total		100

ECTS / Workload Table
Activities	Number of	Duration(Hour)	Total Workload(Hour)
Course Hours	0	0	0
Guided Problem Solving	0	0	0
Resolution of Homework Problems and Submission as a Report	0	0	0
Term Project	0	0	0
Presentation of Project / Seminar	0	0	0
Quiz	0	0	0
Midterm Exam	0	0	0
General Exam	0	0	0
Performance Task, Maintenance Plan	0	0	0
Total Workload(Hour)			0
*Dersin AKTS Kredisi = Toplam İş Yükü (Saat)/30=(0/30)**			0
ECTS of the course: 30 hours of work is counted as 1 ECTS credit.

Detail Informations of the Course