Course Syllabus

Diabetes: Diagnoses and Diseases

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Semester & Location:

Spring 2018 - DIS Copenhagen

Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits

Major Disciplines:

Biology, Biomedicine / Biotechnology, Pre-Medicine / Health Science

Prerequisites:

One year of biology and one year of chemistry at the university level.

Faculty Member:

Christine Bonnesen

Program Director:

Lisbeth Borbye

Time & Place:

Tuesdays & Fridays, 10:05-11:25, F24-406

Faculty

picture_Christine_Bonnesen.jpg Christine Bonnesen
Ph.D. (Department of Biomedicine Research Centre, University of Dundee, Scotland, 2001). Master of Science (Molecular Biology and Chemistry, Roskilde University, 1998). Employment at Novo Nordisk with particular interest in drug development and safety assessment of insulin analogues. Ten years’ experience with research and teaching. With DIS since 2017.

 

Course Description

In this course, we will build an in depth understanding of diabetes pathophysiology, diabetes biology, diabetes prevention and diabetes therapy. Current and historic milestones of diabetes research, prevalence, diagnosis, and therapy are introduced throughout the course, yet the scientific disciplines of biology and pathophysiology are the primary competences supported on the course. During this course, we will also discuss various psychosocial aspects of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

 

Expected Learning Outcomes

Upon active participation in this course you will be able to:

  • Describe and differentiate pathophysiology of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and diabetic complications
  • Integrate carbohydrate metabolism, diabetes pathophysiology, and carbohydrate biology
  • Outline the history and prevalence of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and diabetic complications
  • Outline diagnostic criteria, biomarkers, and current clinical goals for type 1 and type 2 diabetes therapy
  • Present pharmacological principles and mode of action of major drugs used for the treatment of diabetes and its complications
  • List major principles of diabetes research activities, diabetes risk factors/genetics, and co-morbidities of diabetes
  • Discuss burdens of diabetes to people, families, and society
  • Debate lifestyle management and psychosocial aspects of diabetes
  • Compose a diabetes research project proposal
  • Use a critical mindset to identify and discuss relevant information in scientific research and review papers within diabetes

 

Required Reading

  • Rang & Dale’s Pharmacology, 8th by Rang, Ritter, Flower, Henderson; Elsevier 2015 (hereafter referred to as R&D)
  • Reading compendium
  1. Jones, Peter M.; Holt, Richard I.G.; Goldstein, Barry J.; Flyvbjerg, Allan; Cockram, Clive S.: Islet Function and Insulin Secretion. Textbook of Diabetes, 4th Ed.Wiley-Blackwell, 2010. ISBN: 9781405191814
  2. Garvey, W. Timothy; Holt, Richard I.G.; Cockran, Clive; Goldstein, Barry J.; Flyvbjerg, Allan; Wu, Xuxia: Insulin Action. Textbook of Diabetes, 4th Ed. Wiley-Blackwell, 2010ISBN: 9781405191814
  3. Red.: Skyler, Jay S.; Atkinson, Mark A.: Type 1 Diabetes. Atlas of DiabetesSpringer, 2012ISBN: 978146141070
  4. Gerich, John E.; Alsahli, Mazen; Red.: Skyler, Jay S.: Pathogenesis of Type 2 Diabetes. Atlas of Diabetes.Springer, 2012ISBN: 978146141070
  5. Roden, Michael; Petersen, Kitt Falk: Where does insulin resistance start; contribution to the development of diabetes? Evidence-Based Management of DiabetesTfm Pub Ltd, 2012ISBN: 1903378788
  6. Bain, Stephen C.: Genetic studies in diabetes- how do they help? Evidence-Based Management of Diabetes. Tfm Pub Ltd, 2012. ISBN: 1903378788
  7. Red.: Poretsky, Leonid; Leu, James P.: Diagnostic Criteria and Classification of DiabetesPrinciples of Diabetes Mellitus. Springer, 2010ISBN: 9780387098418EAN: 5711901016568
  8. Brillon, David J.: Glycemic Goals. Principles of Diabetes Mellitus Springer, 2010. ISBN: 9780387098418
  9. Herzlinger, Susan: Treating Type 2 Diabetes. Principles of Diabetes Mellitus Springer, 2010ISBN: 9780387098418
  10. Gough, Stephen; Narendran, Parth: Insulin and Insulin Treatment. Textbook of Diabetes, 4th Ed. Wiley-Blackwell, 2010ISBN: 9781405191814
  11. Horton, Edward S.: Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Principles of Diabetes Mellitus Springer, 2010ISBN: 9780387098418
  12. 12 Aroda, Vanita R.; Ratner, Robert E.: Prevention of type 2 in high-risk individuals: achievable?Evidence-Based Management of Diabetes Tfm Pub Ltd, 2012. ISBN: 1903378788
  13. Brownlee, Michael; Merlin, Thomas C.: Diabetic kidney disease. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, Vol. 1, 2015 MacmillanISSN: Intet
  14. Antonetti, David; Gardner, Thomas; Klein, Ronald: Diabetic Retinopathy. New England Journal of Medicine, March 29, 2012 New England Journal of MedicineISSN: Intet
  • Extra material posted on Canvas: to be posted

 

Approach to Teaching

Lectures, class discussions, -essays and -presentations, journal clubs (incl. critical scientific data analysis), guest lectures, field studies, project report preparation and presentation (‘Grant proposal’)

 

Expectations of the Students

You are expected to have done the reading for each class ahead of class and to participate actively in class discussions and presentations.

Interaction and participation are encouraged in a number of ways. You are encouraged to ask questions, participate in discussions as much as possible, and to bring other relevant material/experiences into class. You are welcome to suggest discussions relevant to the topic.

All classes are compulsory and attendance will be taken. You are expected to be in the classroom and ready for class at 10:05 and to be back on time after breaks to avoid disturbing the lesson.

 

Please bring your smartphones and PCs to class. However, use of laptops and smartphones during class is limited to class discussions and related activities requiring internet access for research. We will occasionally use ‘Socrative Student’ (free App to be installed on your smartphone) to recap learnings of the day.

 

Evaluation and Grading

To be eligible for a passing grade in this class all of the assigned work must be completed.

The factors influencing the final grade and the weight of each factor are reported below:

Class participation

1.     Attendance, Engagement, Listening, Preparation

2.     Contributions to class discussions and journal clubs

10%

Presentations at Journal Clubs

10%

Test 1

20%

Test 2

20%

Test 3

20%

Grant proposal report and presentation

1.     Late hand in will reduce your grade by half a letter/day

20%


Tests:
 Three tests will be given during the course (dates to be confirmed)

Test 1: Basics of diabetes

Test 2: Diagnosis, in depth pathophysiology and diabetes therapy and prevention

Test 3: Experimental diabetes therapy and prevention, genetics, basics of diabetes drug development

 

Each test will be covering major learnings from the preceding modules of lessons, journal clubs and guest lectures. The test will consist of 5-10 mixed short essays and ‘short answer questions’ which should be answered with a few concise sentences, and 5-10 multiple choice questions. Tests are held in class and last 40 mins.

Journal Clubs

Journal clubs consists of group work, presentations, and class discussions. They serve as an exercise of critical thinking, critical reading, team work, structuring information for presentations and maturation of your presentation skills. You will be divided in groups each responsible for presenting a specific journal, available on Canvas. The rest of the class should read the paper and prepare 1-2 questions for the presenting group. The journal club presentation should have a logical and clear structure and provide most relevant information on the background, methods, conclusions, and perspectives of the paper. The findings and conclusions of the paper should be presented and discussed in a clear way within 15-25 min.

Grant Proposal

As part of the course you will prepare a Grant Proposal (individually or in small groups). The purpose of the grant proposal is to learn and practice how to design, write, and present a concise project proposal to receive funding. It aims to develop your ability to think and formulate theoretical hypothesis and research plans within academic diabetes research, diabetes drug target evaluations, or diabetes lifestyle intervention projects. The grant proposal consists of a written (3-5 pages) and an oral part (10 min presentation). Detailed information will be given.

Field Studies

Throughout the semester, you will have 2 field studies.  Both are meant to provide you with new perspectives on topics being learned in class. These take place on Wednesdays so as not to interfere with your other classes.

 

DIS Contacts

Lisbeth Borbye, Program Director, lbo@dis.dk
Susana Dietrich, Assistant Program Director, sd@dis.dk
Bethany Cucka, Program Assistant, bcu@dis.dk
Science & Health Program Office: Vestergade 10-B12

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

 DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

 

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due