Course Overview
This course is offered through >60 Design Centre, the National Design Centre for Ageing in collaboration with Temasek Design School and Temasek Humanities and Social Sciences School at Temasek Polytechnic. It provides participants with theoretical knowledge in gerontological issues, practical knowledge of appropriate design and research methods in understanding user needs and issues for making effective design decisions, and practical knowledge of the process in designing for the ageing and elderly.

Career Opportunities
Graduates of the course will be able to contribute the value-added knowledge to the growing silver industry locally and globally. They can work in specialized consultancies and product development companies ranging from product design, interior architectural design, visual communication design to apparel design, leverage on gerontological design knowledge to expand their products/services portfolio for the silver industry. Graduates will also have the opportunities to work in multi-national companies like Philips, and/or Research & Development centers like A*Star (Agency for Science, Technology and Research) which are presently building competencies in researching and developing product/services for the ageing.

Entry Requirements
Applicant must be a:

-  University degree holder or Polytechnic diploma holder or equivalent in a design discipline, or

- University degree holder or Polytechnic diploma holder or equivalent in engineering or technology with working design experience*, or

- University degree holder or Polytechnic diploma holder or equivalent in other disciplines with extensive working experience in gerontological related areas such as social work, social enterprise, NGOs, etc.

*Design experience includes product design & development, software design & development or engineering design (mechanical, structural, environmental, electrical/electronic, computer)

Singapore Citizens*	$    540
Permanent Residents*	$    720
Others	$5, 310

Subject Code	Module	Hrs	CU
GEM 1008	Introduction to Gerontology	60	4
GEM 1010	Lifestyle, Ageing and Well-Being	60	4
DGD 2901	Design Research Methods	60	4
GEM 2000	Sociology of Ageing	60	4
DGD 3902	Specialist Project	90	6
	Total	330	22

Subject Synopsis

Introduction to Gerontology This subject introduces you to the main theoretical perspectives and approaches to the study of ageing and the course of life. You will investigate the social, physical and mental changes humans undergo as they age, as well as the impact of growing proportions of older people on social institutions, employment, government units and families. This subject combines insights mainly from Sociology, Psychology and Biology.

Lifestyle, Ageing & Well-Being This subject focuses on issues relating to leisure, lifestyle options, age and well-being. Inter-generational issues for younger and older people will also be examined. You will appreciate the relationships between leisure and healthy ageing as well as death and dying in a greying society.

Design Research Methods This subject will expose you to the tools for design research, which helps designers to investigate users, form and processes. Methods suggested will generate ideas and inform design with a more reliable and successful practise. You will then be able to determine how and when to deploy the suitable methods.

Sociology of Ageing This subject examines the social significance of ageing. Topics include demographic aspects of ageing, historical perspectives on ageing, health care issues, living environments, family and social support for the aged.  The social, economic and political consequences of demographic trends and the policies that address such trends are also discussed. You will be learning the various theoretical approaches to the study of ageing. Comparisons between Singapore society and other societies will be addressed.

Specialist Project This subject will cultivate a self-initiated and directed project of a scope that entails a considerable amount of critical and creative thinking skills. Using the ways of problem based learning (PBL), problems are identified and appropriately solved in the creation of aged centered products. Students may collaborate with companies or government funded research bodies such as G60 to develop solutions within parameters set by the 'client' and the preferred design outcome should contain real commercial value for the silver industries.