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Unit of study_

EXSS2026: Growth, Development and Ageing

Semester 2 Early, 2020 [Normal day] - Cumberland, Sydney

This unit of study aims to provide the student with an appreciation of certain critical phases of both ends of the lifespan. Issues around physiologic changes, motor skill development, physical performance, the role of exercise for disease prevention and treatment, and the role of nutrition, will be examined and related to stages of childhood and adolescent growth and ageing. The relationships between growth, development, gender and physical activity in its broader sense will also be explored. The biological changes and consequences of ageing on physiologic and psychological health, disease and exercise capacity will be investigated. The student will also be able to gain some understanding of exercise prescription for pregnant women, children, adolescents and older adults.

Unit details and rules

Unit code EXSS2026
Academic unit Movement Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Corinne Caillaud, corinne.caillaud@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Helen Parker, h.parker@sydney.edu.au
Vicki Flood, vicki.flood@sydney.edu.au
Tuguy Esgin, tuguy.esgin@sydney.edu.au
Troy Cross, troy.cross@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Corinne Caillaud, corinne.caillaud@sydney.edu.au
Heidi Morahan, heidi.morahan@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam hurdle task Final assessment
Writing assessment
50% Formal exam period 3 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Small test Quizzes
Short answer and MCQ
15% Multiple weeks 10 minutes each
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
In-semester test (Open book) Type C in-semester exam hurdle task Mid-semester exam
Short answers & MCQs Assess all learning outcomes for Youth only
35% Week 08
Due date: 22 Sep 2020 at 10:00

Closing date: 22 Sep 2020
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
Type C in-semester exam = Type C in-semester exam ?
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Quizzes: 3 open book quizzes. The quizzes will test your understanding of key materials covered in the previous weeks in lectures and tutorials. You must attend your timetabled lecture class to complete the Quizzes.
  • Mid-semester exam: This exam will test your knowledge and understanding of meterial covered since the start of semester. Students must attempt this exam in order to be eligible to pass the unit of study. Failure to attempt exam will result in absent fail (AF) grade being awarded.
  • Final assessment: This assignment will require you to integrate information from lectures, readings and tutorials to write concise written arguments. Students must submit this assessment in order to be eligible to pass the unit of study. Failure to submit will result in absent fail (AF) grade being awarded.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Introduction; 2. Exercise physiology in childhood and adolescence Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 02 1.Obesity in childhood and adolescence; 2.Exercise interventions in children and adolescents Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 03 Embryology and Development Lecture (2 hr) LO2
Obesity and exercise intervention in childhood and adolescence Tutorial (1 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 04 Exercise and pregnancy Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Week 05 Nutrition for infants, children and adolescents Lecture (2 hr) LO7 LO8
Growth & development. Pregnancy & exercise Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 1. Social and environmental determinants of physical activity; 2. Physical activity and the environment Lecture (2 hr) LO6
Week 07 Sedentary behaviour and health Lecture (2 hr) LO5
Nutrition and obesity Tutorial (1 hr) LO7
Week 09 Physical activity for prevention and management of chronic disease Lecture (2 hr) LO4
Week 10 Physiology of ageing Lecture (2 hr) LO2
Sedentary behaviours and health across the lifespan Tutorial (1 hr) LO5 LO6
Week 11 Physical activity interventions in older adults Lecture (2 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 12 Nutrition for older adults Lecture (2 hr) LO7 LO8
Interventions in older adults. Tutorial (1 hr) LO5 LO8
Week 13 Unit review Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Revision Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend lectures weekly as described in the unit of study schedule unless otherwise advised. Attendance at the six tutorials is strongly advised. Interaction with wiki pages on Canvas is strongly encouraged.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand the effect of maternal exercise on both mother and foetus during pregnancy, and considerations for physical activity implementation in pregnancy
  • LO2. describe the maturation, development and physiological changes of the individual during childhood, adolescence and older age
  • LO3. understand health issues relevant to children, adolescents and older adults, and the influence of physical activity, exercise and sedentary behaviour on health
  • LO4. evaluate responses to physical activity, exercise and training adaptations in youth and older age
  • LO5. describe the evidence concerning habitual physical activity and sedentary behaviour on health across the lifespan, and the role of exercise in disease prevention and management
  • LO6. understand the socioeconomic and environmental determinants of physical activity, exercise, and sedentary behaviour in youth and older age
  • LO7. understand the importance of nutrition for healthy growth, development and ageing
  • LO8. understand health issues relevant to children, adolescents and older adults, and the influence of nutrition on health.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The feedback provided the 2019 student cohort is very positive overall. This year, a mix of on-line information, videos, live zoom lectures and tutorials will support learning in this unit. This will address comments about extended opportunities to discuss content.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.