Developmental Psychology, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The aim of the course is that the students will acquire basic knowledge in developmental psychology. The focus of the course will mainly be on development from infancy to adolescence from different perspectives, including biological, cognitive, cross-cultural, and socio-emotional aspects. Genetic, environmental, gender, aging, and social contextual contributions to development will also be examined. The course further covers different research perspectives and study methods within the field of developmental psychology.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing the course, students should be able to:
Knowledge and understanding

• Express knowledge about basic developmental psychology theories and methods in a life-span perspective

Skill and ability

• Understand and apply key concepts in developmental psychology within the areas perceptual-, motor-, cognitive-, social- and emotional development
• Demonstrate ability to communicate knowledge in the scope of the scientific field in English

Evaluation ability and approach

• After completing the course, students should be able to:
• Assess basic developmental psychology theories and methods using critical perspectives

Required Knowledge

Form of instruction

The course is situated on campus and teaching methods consist of teacher-supervised lectures and seminars/group exercises. The learning platform Cambro is used to distribute information and seminar tasks.

The right to receive teaching and supervision applies only during the time the course, for which the student is registered to, is ongoing. The course is given in English?

Examination modes

To complete the course, students must pass two individual written exams (multiple choice/short-answer questions); one mid-course based on the lectures and seminars from the first part of the course, and one final exam based on the lectures and seminars from the second part of the course. Missed examinations are made up for by re-examination.
Presence of examining elements should be indicated in the schedule. All existing teaching within the course can be examined. Decisions on any deviations from the current form of assessment will be made by the relevant examiner.

The grade for the course will be assigned when the written tests are approved. The possible grades are ‘Pass with distinction’,’ Pass’ or ‘Fail’. Students are entitled to rewrite the same examination five times. Students who do not pass the regular examination should be provided an opportunity for further examination according to the University's "Regulations for tests and examinations at the undergraduate and graduate levels". A student who has failed two tests for a course or a part of a course, is entitled to have another examiner appointed, unless there are specific reasons against it (HF 6 Chap. 22 §). Requests for new examiners are made to the head of the department of Psychology. Students have the right to be tested on the same curriculum as the regular examination at least two occasions up to two years after the first registration.

Transfer of credits
In order to transfer credits to a corresponding course at Umeå University, students have the right to submit previous education or equivalent knowledge and skills acquired in the profession for evaluation. Application for transfer of credits is submitted to the Student Centre / Examinations. More information on transfer of credits is available on Umeå University's student website, www.student.umu.se, and the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 6). A refusal for transfer of credits may be appealed against (Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 12) to the University Appeals Board. This applies whether the entire application or part of the application for transfer of credits is refused.

Other regulations

This course cannot be included in a Degree certificate if it overlaps with another course. In cases of doubt, the student should turn to the student counsellor at the Department of Psychology or the program coordinator for his/her program.