Unit Outline
CAM209
Chronic Disease
Semester 1, 2026
Sabine Wimmer-Kleikamp
Tasmanian School of Medicine
Health (Portfolio)
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B
Unit Coordinator
Sabine Wimmer-Kleikamp
Email: sabine.wimmerkleikamp@utas.edu.au
 
What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
Chronic health conditions are the leading cause of illness, disability and death in Australia. This unit will explore the aetiology and epidemiology of the most common chronic diseases, exploring the risk factors which contribute to disease, the underlying mechanisms which contribute to disease progression, and how these conditions can not only impact the individual, but the community as a whole. The key areas of disease prevention and public health initiatives related to each condition will also be explored.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1
Apply basic knowledge of physiological and pathophysiological principles to chronic disease
2
Evaluate key elements of population based chronic disease and prevention and management strategies
3
Evaluate the biological and social factors contributing to rates of chronic disease
4
Communicate (in oral and written form) information about chronic disease clearly and accurately using relevant scientific terminology
Requisites
REQUISITE TYPE
REQUISITES
Pre-requisite
(CZZ101 or KPZ164 or CZZ102 or KZA161)
Alterations as a result of student feedback
Updated learning activities and assessment guidelines. 
 
 
Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Independent Learning
Online Material (2-3 h) weekly
3
Weekly
Workshop
Workshop (2h) weekly
2
Weekly
Other
Self-directed study (3-4 h) weekly
4
Weekly
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
 
 
 
How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
In-semester tests
Week 4
45 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:
Written assignment
Week 5
35 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:
Oral presentation (3MT style)
Week 12
20 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: In-semester tests
Task Description:
There will be three in-semester tests that will consist of multiple choice (MCQ) and short answer questions (SAQs) in a closed book exam format. The tests will be completed in-class after each module.
In-semester test 1A will cover content from module one
In-semester test 1B will cover content from module module two
In-semester test 1C will cover content from module module three

Each test contributes 15% of overall grade for the unit. 3 x 15% (45% total)

In-semester tests will be in weeks 4, 9 and 11
Task Length:
60 Minutes
Due Date:
Week 4
Weight:
45 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Apply knowledge of physiological and pathophysiological principles of chronic disease to to correctly answer questions/ solve problems
LO1
2
Evaluate key elements of population based chronic disease prevention and management strategies
LO2
3
Evaluate biological and social factors contributing to rates of chronic disease
LO3
4
Communicate concepts of chronic disease using clear and correct scientific terminology
LO4
 
Assessment Task 2: Written assignment
Task Description:
Written assignment – analysis of challenge and opportunity (Part A) and Briefing document (Part B)
Part A: This assessment task involves the analysis of issues and challenges associated with the burden of Australia’s chronic disease priority areas. You will need to analyse the challenge, synthesize the pertinent information and develop an argument for a solution that could be utilised.

Part B: As part of this assignment, you will also develop a briefing document and talking point aimed at informing or persuading an external stakeholder to engage with pertinent issues and possible solution you have identified in your analysis.

Further guidelines and criteria will be provided on MyLO

This task is worth 35% of your overall mark for the unit.

A Confirmation of Learning Check or VIVA may be required as a component of this assessment task.
Task Length:
1500 – 2000 words (excluding references)
Due Date:
Week 5
Weight:
35 %
 
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Communicate (written) information about chronic disease clearly and accurately using relevant scientific terminology
LO4
2
Apply knowledge of physiological and pathophysiological principles to chronic disease
LO1
3
Evaluate key elements of population based chronic disease prevention and management strategies
LO2
4
Evaluate biological and social factors contributing to rates of chronic disease
LO3
 
Assessment Task 3: Oral presentation (3MT style)
Task Description:
This assessment task involves an oral presentation based on one of the weekly cases. This presentation is to be delivered in the style of a three-minute thesis (3MT). Presentations will conclude with 5min question time. The Presentation (3min), supporting slides and answers to questions will be assessed.

Further guidelines and assessment criteria will be provided on MyLO and in class.
Task Length:
3-minute presentation + 5 minutes question and answer session
Due Date:
Week 12
Weight:
20 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Apply knowledge of physiological and pathophysiological principles to chronic disease
LO1
2
Oral presentation on chronic disease that uses clear and accurate scientific terminology
LO4
3
Evaluate the biological and social factors which contribute to rates of chronic disease
LO3
4
Evaluate key elements of population based chronic disease and prevention and management strategies
LO2
 
 
 
How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
Academic progress review
The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see
Important Guidelines & Support.
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
 
Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.
 
 
 
Required Resources
Required reading materials
Required readings and other resources will be provided through MyLO.
 
Recommended reading materials
You can access the reading list for this unit from the link in MyLO or by going directly to the reading lists page on the University Library website.
 
Other required resources