The development of the individual is an exciting process, beginning with the rapid division of cells at conception and continuing through intricate changes of growth and aging. It is important to remember that our interpretations of human behavior are filtered through our own biases. We will work to develop skills for understanding and evaluating research on human development. The course is divided into four sections. The first section focuses on research design, genetics and prenatal development. The remaining three sections focus on children of different ages (the first two years, early childhood, and middle childhood). Within each section we examine physical, cognitive and social development. You will demonstrate your mastery of the course material by creating an ePortfolio in which you will relate what you have learned to your own life and reflect on the ways you would like to impact children in the future. It is my hope that the ePortfolio you create will be useful to you in the future when you interact with children.