BBC Four has unveiled a range of new science programmes that are to be put "at the heart" of its autumn schedule.

One strand in the new lineup, Growing Babies, will focus on human development. War in the Womb will examine foetal-maternal conflict, which has been linked with depression and autism, and Brainpower will look at how new 3D ultrasound scanning techniques have revealed that conscious life may develop much earlier before birth than had previously been thought.

Other programmes in the science collection include The Story of Maths, where Professor Marcus du Sautoy links mathematical discoveries with worldwide technological and cultural developments, and Science and Islam, looking at the scientific and intellectual tradition of the medieval Muslim world.

"BBC Four is proud to be passionate about challenging subjects and we have approached our new science programmes with the conviction, energy and verve that has become the signature of the channel," said channel controller Janice Hadlow.

Outside scientific factual, Storyville will take a look at the career of Academy Award-winner Roman Polanski, while The Department Store examines the fate of two independent stores in Wales and Yorkshire trying to compete with modern High Street chains.