INTM5006: Semester 1, 2025

Overview

The Basic Endocrinology syllabus covers the requirements of trainee physician practice. The content is focussed on diagnosis and investigation of common endocrine conditions and the essentials of management of these conditions. The module learning materials are linked to a library of clinical cases representing common and important endocrine conditions.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Internal Medicine
Credit points	3
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Christian Girgis, christian.girgis@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Angela Xun-Nan Chen, xun-nan.chen@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 Graded Exam Multiple Choice Questions	40%	Formal exam period	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Quizzes Multiple Choice Questions	20%	Multiple weeks	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Graded discussion boards Forum post	10%	Multiple weeks	200 words x 5 posts
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Case Presentation Online task	10%	Week 07 Due date: 13 Apr 2025 at 23:59	5-7 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Case report Report	20%	Week 09 Due date: 04 May 2025 at 23:59	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
= AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Graded discussion boards: The discussion boards are a chance for you to talk about the clinical case vignettes and the learning materials with your colleagues. Each module will have a Graded Discussion Board which will open and close on the date specified in the Study Plan. Use of point form is encouraged to ensure adequate coverage of the issues in each case. All comments should be based upon relevant literature, with the use of references as much as possible.
Graded quizzes: The quizzes are designed to help students gauge their progress in meeting the learning outcomes and they may refer to learning materials when answering. There will be 3 quizzes, each with 10 questions. There is one attempt only. The quizzes are open for a set period.
Case Presentation: Students will select a provided clinical case, then utilise a generative AI tool to assist with analysis/summarisation of the case, and critically evaluate the AI's role in their clinical reasoning. They will deliver a 5–7 minute PowerPoint presentation summarising the case, discussing their diagnostic approach, management plan, and the AI's contribution, with emphasis on its benefits, limitations, and implications for practice.
Case report: In general, about a third of the report should be allocated to the case history and two thirds to discussion of the case. The report should be based on a patient the student has cared for, or seen, in the course of their clinical work. The format of the case report can be as a narrative or, arranged as medical record documentation, with headings of; history of the presenting illness, previous medical history, social history, examination, investigations, and diagnosis.
Final exam: The final exam is a graded, fully invigilated exam conducted via Canvas with the help of an online proctor. This is known as "Live+ (Type A)" exam. You will be required to schedule your exam later in the semester. The exam will contain multiple-choice questions (single best answer). The exam is "closed book", you are not permitted any materials with you for this exam.

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 2023 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 2023. 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: thyroid	Online class (5 hr)
Week 02	Module 1: thyroid	Online class (5 hr)
Week 03	Module 1: thyroid	Online class (5 hr)
Week 04	Module 1: thyroid	Online class (5 hr)
Week 05	Module 2: pituitary	Online class (5 hr)
Week 06	Module 3: andrology and female health	Online class (5 hr)
Week 07	Module 4: bone	Online class (5 hr)
Week 08	Module 5: adrenal disease	Online class (5 hr)
Week 09	Module 6: diabetes - an introduction	Online class (5 hr)
Week 10	Module 6: diabetes - an introduction	Online class (5 hr)
Week 11	Module 6: diabetes - an introduction	Online class (5 hr)
Week 12	Module 7: diabetes - complications	Online class (5 hr)
Week 13	Module 7: diabetes - complications	Online class (5 hr)

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 3 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 60-75 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

The textbooks for this unit of study are:

Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine 21st edition, McGraw-Hill 2022
Oxford Textbook of Medicine, 6th edition, Oxford Medicine Online 2020

The primary texts for this unit of study are:

Chapter 21: Endocrinology, Kumar and Clark Clinical Medicine, 10th Edition, Elsevier Ltd
Part 12: Endocrinology and Metabolism, Harrison’s Principle of Internal Medicine, 21st edition, MacGraw Hill 2022

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. recognise common patterns of presentation of endocrinology diseases
LO2. diagnose and investigate patients presenting with these conditions
LO3. initiate management of patients presenting with these conditions
LO4. discuss patients with endocrine issues with colleagues.

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 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. No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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.

This unit of study outline was last modified on 06 Feb 2025.

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

Study commitment

Required readings

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

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

INTM5006: Basic Endocrinology

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

Study commitment

Required readings

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

Media

Student links

About us

Connect