MMB8035 : Diabetes
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Catherine Arden
- Lecturer: Dr Daniel West, Miss Alison Barnes, Professor James Shaw, Dr Guy Taylor, Professor Quentin Anstee
- Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The module aims to provide an introduction to clinical aspects of diabetes mellitus and its complications, based on an understanding of the underlying basic metabolic control processes, and to build knowledge and understanding of diabetes care and research, including an increased awareness of the clinical research tools available for the study of the disease and its complications.
Outline Of Syllabus
The taught component of the module is delivered through lectures, seminars and practical sessions. The topics covered include: the genetics of diabetes; genetic epidemiology, bioinformatics and epigenetics; glucose and lipid metabolism in the fed and fasted state and their perturbation in diabetes; biochemical mechanisms of insulin secretion; insulin resistance; exercise in diabetes; prevention of type 2 diabetes at the population and individual level; therapeutic treatment options for diabetes; transplantation and regenerative medicine approaches for diabetes; factors contributing to the development of complications in diabetes; liver disease in diabetes; the use of technology in diabetes care; critical appraisal of diabetes-related clinical trials.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 55:00 | 55:00 | Preparing for presentation and examination |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | Present in person (PIP): Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Synchronous online lectures |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 17 | 1:00 | 17:00 | Present in person (PIP): Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Present in person (PIP): Group oral presentations on critical appraisal of diabetes research paper |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Present in person (PIP): Seminars in small groups |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Present in person: Oral assessment |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 1 | 32:00 | 32:00 | Additional reading and reflective learning |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 82:00 | 82:00 | Preparing notes from lectures and additional reading |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The interactive small group teaching and lectures will provide the students with current specialist knowledge on which to build in independent learning. The seminars will encourage students to reflect and question individually and in groups providing a basis for critical appraisal, innovative thinking about diabetes and study design. All of these activities relate directly to the learning outcomes above.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 1 | M | 40 | Present in person Individual Presentation: 10 minutes & 5 for questions on a current paper in diabetes research |
| Essay | 1 | M | 60 | 2000 word essay detailing the current state of knowledge of a particular topic relevant to the module. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 1 | M | Present in person Group Presentation 10 mins plus 5 mins Q & A |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The written in-course essay will test the student's knowledge base gained through the lecture content provided in the module and will test their comprehension of additional reading and their ability to discuss the subject critically.
The summative oral presentation based on appraisal of scientific literature tests application of knowledge, understanding and ability to critically assess and interpret scientific work. These activities will also assess generic skills of written and oral communication and presentation.
The formative group presentation is run to help students understand how to critically appraise and interpret clinical research.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MMB8035's Timetable