BI1S203 - Human Growth and Development  01 Jul 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: BI1S203
Module Title: Human Growth and Development 
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Applied Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Biological Sciences
Module Leader: Josephine Bradley
Module Team: Tracie McKinney, Aled Bryant, Cerith Jones
First Intended Intake: SEP 2027 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100834 - developmental biology 100847 - reproductive biology 100952 - developmental psychology
HECOS Code Weighting: 40 20 40

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Jul 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

On successful completion of this module, students will have an understanding of the normal patterns of human growth and development, and to consider the factors that influence this process. Combining embryonic and foetal development with cognitive and social development, puberty and sexual health, adulthood and ageing mechanisms, students will receive a solid foundation to understand the growth and whole-life ageing process in the human organism.

The module is delivered through lectures allowing for the discussive nature of this module. In order to complete the module, students must be intellectually curious, systematically and logically following the life of a human organism in order to improve understanding of the fundamental processes involved in human life. Students must recognise personal strengths and weaknesses, and identify how they learn, in order to effectively apply the knowledge gained in taught lectures.

In engaging with the module, students will fully achieve the following level-appropriate Behaviour Domains of the USW Graduate Attributes:

Commercial Awareness: Behaviour 2

Communication: Behaviour 1, 2, 3

Leadership: Behaviour 1, 2, 3

Innovation and Enterprise: Behaviour 1, 2, 3

Project Management: Behaviour 1, 2, 3

Digital Literacy: Behaviour 1

The Capabilities associated with these behaviours are found in the Graduate Attributes table at the end of the descriptor

Content Summary

Through traditional lectures and embryology microscopy practicals, students will study the entire human lifespan, including:

Fertilisation and early embryological development

Development of extraembryonic tissues and gastrulation

Organogenesis and developmental origins of disease

Maternal physiology

Parturition and the infant period

Biological and cognitive development through childhood and adulthood

Nutrition

Human senescence

Adolescence and the menopause as evolutionary adaptations

Intergenerational effects and secular trends

Sexual health

Mental health

Ageing and end of life

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Independent Study 100
Directed Study 50
Formative Assessment - Independent 2
Tutorial 48
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Understand normal human growth and development patterns, from conception through old age, in part through searching and evaluating the primary literature.
LO2 To recognise factors that influence variation in human growth and development and be able to communicate those concepts with reference to current published resources.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1 Oral Presentation - student choice of format 10 N/A 50 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1 In class tests covering module content 60 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1
Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1

Reading List

Sadler, T. W., and Jan Langman. Langman's Medical Embryology. 12th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2012.