Professors at UMass Boston (UMB) teach on some pretty esoteric topics, but “The Joy and Challenges of Grandparenting”? No, the undergrads are not demonstrating unusual foresight. This Thursday morning class, which is taught by Emmy Rainwalker , a counselor in private practice in Dorchester, is aimed at the hundreds of senior citizens who attend and, in many cases, teach classes at the UMB’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI).

Part of a national network of 119 similar organizations in every state, the UMB OLLI program enriches the intellectual, social, and cultural lives of those 50 or older without the pressures of the typical university environment.

Nearly 1,200 seniors study at the Harbor Point campus each semester. With 106 members, Dorchester ranks second to Quincy as the neighborhood with the most OLLI members. At least a dozen Dot residents will be volunteering this spring as “course facilitators.”

No academic or other credentials are required – no tests, no papers, and no degrees. Daytime classes meet once a week and terms last anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks.

The 68 Spring 2015 on-campus offerings range from the entry-level like “iPad for Absolute Beginners” to more specialized topics like “20 Great Mexican Short Stories” and “China’s Emerging Influence in Africa.”

Among the veteran Dot facilitators is Helena Zubrin, who continues her Monday morning “Working with Watercolor” series. Other Dot residents teach popular language courses and Judy Planchon continues her “Intermediate French Conversation through Cinema” series.

Jones Hill’s Dr. Irene L. Roman has a strong following for both her “Basic Italian II” and “Introduction to Italy and Italian Culture.” This spring she will also co-lead a Classical Studies in Italy trip through Rome, Umbria, and Tuscany (April 20-May 1).

Another Jones Hill resident, cable TV host and theatre columnist John Joseph Fahey, continues his American Lit series with “Three Classics of Southern Literature,” focusing on Carson McCullers and Zora Neale Huston. Columbia Point’s Bill Valentine leads his “Poetry ALIVE” class that explores late 20th century poets.

Cedar Grove’s Robert P. Dunford, a 38-year veteran of the Boston Police force and former commanding officer of the Boston Police Academy, will teach a Friday series on “The Police, the Constitution and the Citizen (Part II).”

Other courses led by Dot residents include Franca Burtness-Adams’ “In a Changing World, What Role Do I Play? Our Roles in Social Justice”; Lynn Holmgren’s” Reading and Writing about the Mother/Daughter Relationship”; Dr. Aurobinda Mahapatra’s “Kashmir Conflict: Dimensions, Costs and Peace Prospects”; and Walt Hagenbuch’s videoconferences on “Physics without Fear.”

Finally, this reporter will present two Wednesday afternoon videoconferences that may be accessed in Hingham, Plymouth, and Nantucket: “Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ ” and “The History of Mystery 8: Agatha Christie (Part I).”

In addition, during each semester there are about 40 one-shot lunchtime lectures known as Brown Bag presentations.

Among the upcoming Dot-led Brown Bags are a storytelling series “Show and Tell” by Ashmont’s Willie Pleasants; “The World of Cheese” by Genevieve Forde ( who is also teaching a couple of food-related courses); Rita LaRosa Loud’s “Flexible and Strong”; and Jeff Klein’s “The Making of the Middle East.”

OLLI also sponsors theater outings to productions at the Huntington and Speakeasy theatres, and day trips to local museums.

Among the early 2015 overseas adventures are “The Azores: The Island of Sao Miguel,” a central Europe river cruise, and the perennially popular “Discover Thailand,” led by Dr. Wichian Rojanawon, founder and Director of UMB OLLI program.

To enroll in courses, which start in late February or early March, visit OLLI.umb.edu, or call 617- 287-7312 to request a catalog. Full or partial scholarships may be available on request.