Outline

Overview

This highly clinically based and practical unit of study is the foundational diabetes unit at postgraduate level and has been specifically designed for clinicians looking to develop, update and advance their diabetes management skills. You will learn how to effectively manage diabetes mellitus, particularly type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, through a personalised, case-based approach. Current evidence and concepts in epidemiology, classification, pathogenesis and screening for diabetes and its complications will be addressed. The focus is on patient-centred management of diabetes, including patient engagement, weight management, and anti-hyperglycaemic medication options and regimens. You will also learn about diabetes emergencies, inpatient diabetes care and sick day diabetes management. Different health care delivery methods in diabetes and team based approaches to care will be discussed. Diabetes care in specific populations, including pregnancy, the elderly, rural and remote, and culturally and linguistically diverse, will be explored. This unit is the precursor to the Advanced Diabetes Management unit of study (MBHT5002).

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Metabolic Health
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	This unit of study is recommended for medical graduates, as well as nursing or allied health graduates with a minimum of 12 months clinical experience
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Victoria Rudland, victoria.rudland@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Stephen Twigg, stephen.twigg@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Victoria Rudland, victoria.rudland@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Thora Chai, thora.chai@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final Exam MCQ	30%	Formal exam period	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Formative Quizzes MCQ	0%	Multiple weeks	30 minutes per quiz
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Case Discussion 1 Case Study	15%	Week 04 Due date: 23 Mar 2025 at 23:59	1 primary response and 2 peer replies
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Case Discussion 2 Case Study	15%	Week 09 Due date: 04 May 2025 at 23:59	1 primary response and 2 peer replies
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Unit of Study Discussion forum Forum Contributions	10%	Week 13 Due date: 01 Jun 2025 at 23:59	Minimum 4 posts
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Literature Review Essay	30%	Week 13 Due date: 01 Jun 2025 at 23:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
= AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Case discussions: Students are to detail what they see as the main priorities for the initial assessment and management for each case provided.
Literature review: Students are to write an essay based on one of the listed topics.
Final exam: The final graded exam will take place during the formal examination period. The final exam is a graded, fully invigilated exam conducted via Canvas with the help of an online proctor.
Unit of Study Discussion Forum: students are required to participate in the Unit of Study Discussion forum.
Formative quizzes: Each topic in the unit of study includes a quiz comprising of multiple choice questions. The quizzes are formative and do not contribute to the weighted assessments for the unit.

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 guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Module 1.1: Defining, Diagnosing and Classifying Diabetes	Online class (10 hr)
Week 02	Module 1.2: Prediabetes and Diabetes Prevention	Online class (10 hr)
Week 03	Module 2.1: Overview of Diabetes Management	Online class (10 hr)
Week 04	Module 2.2: Lifestyle Management in Diabetes	Online class (10 hr)
Week 05	Module 2.3: Weight Management in Diabetes	Online class (10 hr)
Week 06	Module 3.1: Non-Insulin Treatments for Diabetes	Online class (10 hr)
Week 07	Module 3.2: Insulin Treatments for Diabetes	Online class (10 hr)
Week 08	Module 4.1: Diabetes Emergencies	Online class (10 hr)
Week 09	Module 4.2: Inpatient and Sick Day Diabetes Management	Online class (10 hr)
Week 10	Module 4.3: Macrovascular Complications in Diabetes	Online class (10 hr)
Week 11	Module 4.4: Microvascular Complications in Diabetes	Online class (10 hr)
Week 12	Module 5.1: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus	Online class (10 hr)
Week 13	Module 5.2: Diabetes Management in the Elderly, Rural and Remote, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations	Online class (10 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Required materials: The following equipment is required in order to take the final exam: a desktop computer or laptop (not tablet), a webcam and microphone, an internet connection speed of at least 2 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload speed and a browser with pop-up blocker disabled (Chrome is recommended).

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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Diagnose and classify diabetes mellitus
LO2. Outline principles of diabetes prevention, including identification and management of prediabetes
LO3. Explain diabetes assessment and management including education, lifestyle change and weight management
LO4. Demonstrate use of anti-hyperglycaemic medications in the management of diabetes
LO5. Describe the screening, diagnosis, management and prevention of diabetes complications
LO6. Understand the special considerations specific to diabetes subgroups, including indigenous populations and pregnancy

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

We value your feedback about any aspect of the unit of study and your experience as a student of Sydney Medical School. To help ensure our courses meet your needs and maintain a high standard, we welcome your feedback at any time and we ask you to complete the Mid-Semester Evaluation Survey, Workshop Evaluation Survey and the Unit of Study Evaluation Survey at the end of the semester. Your ratings and comments are anonymous and specifying what you liked and didn’t like about any of the learning materials, assessment items, discussion forums, feedback etc will help us to target our improvement efforts. Please note that your participation in this unit of study permits de-identified information about your learning experience and interaction with learning resources to be used for the purpose of improving the student learning experience.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

MBHT5001: Diabetes Management

Semester 1, 2025 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links