Postgraduate Course: Contemporary Topics in Developmental Science (PSYL11115)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The aim of this team-lead course is to introduce students to cutting-edge theoretical, empirical, and methodological advances in the field, and to develop their ability to critically evaluate current developmental research. The content will reflect the diversity and interdisciplinarity of research conducted by developmental scientists in the Department, covering novel methods, pressing issues, and recent debates relating to developmental science and developmental populations. The content will be delivered through a combination of traditional lectures and interactive, student-led activities and discussion, such as, critically evaluating an empirical paper, designing a research experiment or debating a contentious issue |
| Course description |
This course will provide an in-depth exploration of contemporary research topics in developmental science, with a particular emphasis on recent theoretical innovations, novel empirical findings, and methodological advances that are shaping the field. Students will engage with a broad range of topics that will be selected to reflect the diversity and interdisciplinary nature of developmental research, drawing on perspectives from psychology, neuroscience, education, and related disciplines. The course is designed to expand students' understanding of how developmental processes unfold across the lifespan, from infancy to old age, and how different developmental research approaches contribute to this knowledge.
A central focus of the course is to develop students' critical thinking and analytical skills. Students will learn to assess the strengths and limitations of different research approaches and designs, interpret findings in relation to theoretical frameworks, and consider the implications of research for policy and applied practice. There will also be attention given to emerging methods and innovative study designs, in order to provide students with the tools and knowledge background to engage with cutting-edge research and to develop their own research ideas.
Teaching will be led by a roster of developmental academic staff in the Department, with support from guest lecturers to enrich students¿ learning. Students will be encouraged to take an active role in their learning, by exploring the material through activities such as leading discussions, critiquing published studies, articulating research ideas, and engaging in debates on current controversies in developmental science. These activities will be designed to foster independent thinking, collaborative learning, and confidence in communicating complex ideas verbally and in writing.
By the end of the course, students will have developed a nuanced understanding of key issues in developmental science, alongside the ability to critically evaluate research and contribute thoughtfully to academic research and discussions in the field.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2026/27, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
176 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment 1: Presentation, 50%
Assessment 2: Essay, 1600 words, 50% |
| Feedback |
Assignment-specific feedback will be provided on Learn (for the essay) and via a feedback sheet given to the student after their presentation (which will also be discussed with the student). |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of emerging debates and developments in developmental science (e.g., genetics and development, neurodiversity, inequality, digital childhood, reproducibility).
- Evaluate novel methodological approaches (e.g., longitudinal modelling, polygenic scores, large-scale collaborations, open science practices) and their contributions to research.
- Critically evaluate published empirical papers in developmental science, synthesising theoretical background, methods, results, and implications.
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Reading List
Gennetian, L. A., Frank, M. C., & Tamis-LeMonda, C. S. (2022). Open science in developmental science. Annual Review of Developmental Psychology, 4, 377-
397.
Marshall, J., Wilks, M., Caviola, L., & Neldner, K. (2025). When development constricts our moral circle. Nature human behaviour, 9(8), 1537-1545.
Zhang, X., Grove, J., Gu, Y., Buus, C. K., Nielsen, L. K., Neufeld, S. A., ... & Warrier, V. (2025). Polygenic and developmental profiles of autism differ by age at
diagnosis. Nature, 646(8087), 1146-1155. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Critical thinking; Problem solving; Curiosity; Collaboration; Communication; Reflection; Inclusivity; Data and Digital Literacy
The course will promote critical thinking, reflection, curiosity and data and digital literacy through lectures and discussions of theoretical perspectives and
research findings in developmental science; it will also support skills development in collaboration and communication through course discussions and the
assessments (i.e. presentations and written work); and it will promote inclusivity by presenting and discussing diverse perspectives and approaches in the field
(e.g. the overrepresentation of WEIRD study samples and what can be done about it).
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| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Jasmin Wertz
Tel:
Email: Jasmin.Wertz@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Mollie Fordyce
Tel:
Email: mfordyc2@ed.ac.uk |
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