Diabetes Research
| Module title | Diabetes Research |
|---|---|
| Module code | CSC3033 |
| Academic year | 2027/8 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Tom Laver (Convenor) Dr Hannah Welters (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 100 |
|---|
Module description
Over 5 million people in the UK have diabetes and 10% of the NHS budget is spent on diabetes. Exeter is one of the world’s leading centres for diabetes research and this module will be taught by Exeter’s world-leading experts in diabetes research. The module will explore how new technologies in cell biology, genetics and data science are enabling researchers to answer the big questions in diabetes research and the impact this can have on patients. Through workshops and interactive discussions of cutting-edge scientific papers you will improve your ability to critically analyse research and identify future directions for research. The content of this module is intended to build on learning in other modules, such as Diabetes: From Pathophysiology to Public Health and Physiology 2.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to give you a broad understanding of cutting-edge research practices that apply across many diseases, using diabetes as a key example. You'll explore different research methods, from preclinical studies to clinical trials, and learn how data is analysed to improve disease understanding and treatment. By focusing on diabetes, you'll see how research translates into real-world healthcare solutions, but the skills you gain will be relevant to many other conditions. You will demonstrate your learning though a recorded PowerPoint presentation and a grant proposal on a diabetes research topic of your choosing.
Graduate attributes: The lectures and workshops will help you develop greater appreciation of real-world research and data analysis methods. The journal clubs and recorded presentation will develop your communication skills both in the context of group discussion and how to clearly present ideas, while the grant proposal will develop your ability to synergise information and use this to pitch a novel idea.
The module primarily aligns with the UN sustainable development goal (SDG) SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing): improving knowledge of physiology and healthy living. In addition, by critically evaluating gender, racial and socioeconomic disparities in diabetes prevalence, treatment access and health outcomes you will address SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities) while by enhancing scientific understanding we are supporting SDG 17 (Partnerships for Goals).
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Discuss the challenges in preventing, diagnosing and treating diabetes on an individual level and as a global public health challenge
- 2. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of key research methods used in diabetes research
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Critically appraise scientific research papers
- 4. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of methodologies and experimental designs used in human health and disease research
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Summarise and synergise essential facts from multiple sources
- 6. Communicate effectively to a range of audiences including scientists and the public
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of the typical structure is as follows:
You will explore the latest Diabetes research in a combination of sessions. This will include lectures from expert researchers to find out more about their research. Small group journal clubs to critical appraise papers and understand research techniques in more depth. There will also be skills workshops and case-based workshops to give you the skills you need to apply the knowledge you have learnt.
Indicative topics areas include –
- Type 1 diabetes – autoimmunity and islet cell biology.
- Type 2 diabetes – multimorbidity, diabetes complications and treatments
- Genetics of diabetes – differences between monogenic and polygenic, family studies vs GWAS.
- Treatments of diabetes and public health approaches
- Precision medicine and data science
Accessibility Statement:
As part of this module you will undertake workshop sessions that are of 2 hrs in duration. Breaks are possible, and students are able to leave the teaching space for short periods. These workshop sessions will be undertaken in small groups, with students contributing to associated group discussions.
One of the assessments is a presentation. This has been set as a recorded presentation to accommodate students that may be unable to present live as well as reducing the pressure on all students.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | 118 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 8 | Lectures by expert researchers (8x 1hr) |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 8 | Skills workshop (4x 2hr) |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 8 | Case based workshop (4x 2hr) |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 8 | Journal Club small groups (4x 2hr) |
| Guided Independent Study | 88 | Guided independent reading and preparation for journal clubs and workshops |
| Guided Independent Study | 10 | Preparation for recorded presentation |
| Guided Independent Study | 20 | Preparation for grant proposal |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Informal feedback in workshops and journal clubs | 1-6 | Oral | |
| Model answers for journal club questions | 3-4 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded presentations | 30 | 5 minutes | 1,2,6 | Written |
| Grant proposal | 70 | 2000 words | 1-6 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded presentations | Recorded presentations | 1,2,6 | August ref/def period |
| Grant proposal | Grant proposal | 1-6 | August ref/def period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons that are approved by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. If deferred, the format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). The mark given for a deferred assessment will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral - if you have failed the module (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) and the module cannot be condoned, you will be required to complete a re-assessment for each of the failed components on the module. The format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). If you pass the module following re-assessment, your module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Module ELE page containing formative quizzes and access to on-line learning resources
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
- Examples of the diabetes research going on at the University of Exeter: exeter.ac.uk/research/diabetes-research
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 13/05/2024 |
| Last revision date | 27/02/2025 |
