Program Courses
O101 / History of Traditional Chinese Medicine
This course discusses the origin and development of TCM beginning over two thousand years ago, the progress of medical science, and the history and development of Acupuncture and TCM in China, as well as in North America and over the world.
W110 / Anatomy
This course introduces the structure and arrangement of gross surface features with special attention to the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, nervous, and genitourinary systems.
O110 / TCM Theory I
This lecture course introduces the fundamental principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine including Yin-Yang theory and the Five Elements theory as well as part of basic life substances. Students will associate these theories with their historical backgrounds, philosophies and significance. Students will build upon this critical knowledge base in all subsequent TCM coursework.
O105 / Chinese Pinyin Study
Students learn Chinese Pinyin (a system of Romanized spelling for transliterating Chinese), pronunciation of Chinese syllables and recognition of simple Chinese characters in this course. This understanding is essential for the future study of names of acupoints and herbs.
W130 / Medical Microbiology
This course is designed to introduce the pathogenic microorganisms that cause diseases and ways to prevent infection such as vaccination, sterilization and disinfections. Bacteriology and virology are topics covered in this course.
O130 / TCM Diagnosis I
This course introduces the students to the principles of diagnosis in Chinese medicine. Students will learn the signs and symptoms important for TCM diagnosis and the importance of a holistic approach in TCM. The course will then focus on the four TCM diagnostic skills. It covers 'looking' skills, including tongue diagnosis; 'hearing' and 'smelling' skills; questioning skills for a whole range of patients, including those specific for women and children, are included. Pulse diagnosis is the key focus in this course. Students will learn about the normal pulse, as well as factors affecting pulse taking, types of pulses and their clinical significance. Other palpation skills will also be introduced.
A101 / Meridians & Acupoints I
This course introduces the meridian theory and acupoint study. It covers the Qi flowing pattern and the pathways of the main meridians and extra channels. Points on the 14 meridians which have specific therapeutic properties and grouped under special categories are introduced. Methods of locating acupoints by proportional measurement, anatomical landmarks, and finger measurement are introduced. The ability to accurately locate acupuncture points is built up through lectures, demonstration and hands-on practice. The course includes detailed study of acupoints for their locations, functions and indications in the Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach, and Spleen, Heart, Small Intestine, Gall Bladder, Kidney, Pericardium channels.
O120 / TCM Theory II
This lecture course, building on TCM Theory I, introduces students to the theories of Zang-Fu (TCM internal organs) and the basic life substances such as Essence, Qi, Blood and Body Fluids. This course enables students to understand how the human body works in a normal condition based on TCM principles. This course in the also introduces TCM etiology, pathogenesis, and preventive and treatment principles. This course lays the fundamental knowledge of how diseases occur, how to render a treatment strategy based on TCM principles, and how to maintain wellness through TCM prevention methods.
O210 / TCM Diagnosis II
In this course, students will learn about pattern identification and syndrome differentiation based on signs and symptoms collected from the diagnostic techniques learned in the previous course. Students will learn the identification of patterns according to the pathogenic factors, Eight Principles, Zang Fu Organs, Three Burners, Meridians, and the Six Stages Principles. Students will learn skills to discriminate patterns of diseases that are similar to each other by comparing syndrome characteristics.
A110 / Meridians & Acupoints II
This course is a continuation of A101 Meridians and Acupoints I. During this courses students will be introduces Stomach, Spleen, Heart, Small Intestine, Bladder, Kidney, and Pericardium. The location and indications of the acupuncture points located on each meridian will be emphasized and students will receive detailed instruction on points that require special care when needling. Course will continuous to build up ability to accurately locate acupuncture points through lectures, demonstration and hands-on practice.
A220 / Clean Needling Technique & Safety
Students will learn how to maintain a clean and safe clinical practice of acupuncture. Special attention will be paid to acupoints that are close to internal organs, arteries, nerves and the brain. The communication of diseases, theory and practice of the Clean Needle Technique, the procedure of a typical acupuncture treatment is studied. Students will learn how to prevent and handle possible accidents during acupuncture treatments. Students will incorporate knowledge from the A210 Acupuncture Technique course with this one in order to gain acupuncture competency before working in the clinic. Students will also learn how to recognize emergency situations in the clinical setting and provide appropriate referral to other healthcare professionals for proper continuation care of patients.
W210 / Biochemistry
This course will examine basic principles of biochemistry. Fundamentals of organic and cellular chemistry will be presented, focusing on chemical interactions within living cells that form the foundation of all life processes. Students will become familiar with structures, functions, and properties of various molecules important in the daily mechanism of the human body. These principles are important for understanding common health problems.
W101 / Western Medical Terminology
This course examines Greek and Latin roots which form the prefixes and suffixes of medical terms. Students develop their understanding of the western medical terms used for anatomy, physiology, various diseases, surgical procedures, and medical treatments.
A230 / Acupuncture Therapy I
This course begins the detailed study of the principles of acupuncture prescription and treatment methods. Students will analyze and differentiate pathological conditions particular to the internal organs of the body and establish diagnosis and treatment plan. The general principles of acupuncture treatment, composition of acupoint prescriptions, theories for combining acupoints, are introduced in this course.
A210 / Acupuncture Technique
This course covers various needling techniques including sterilization, needling methods, manipulation techniques, reinforcing and reducing techniques as well as needle withdrawal method. Needling angles and insertion depth will be studied in details. Therapeutic methods such as moxibustion, cupping, scalp and ear acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, magnet therapy will be included. At the end of the course, students will be competent in the skills required to apply acupuncture therapy.
A111 / Meridians & Acupoints III
This course is a continuation of A110 Meridians and Acupoints II. During this course students will be introduced to the San Jiao, Gallbladder, and Liver Meridians. The location and indications of the acupuncture points located on each meridian will be emphasized and students will receive detailed instruction on points that require special care when needling. Extraordinary points will also be introduced during this course and the ability to accurately locate acupuncture points will be built up through lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on practice.
O410 / Patient Counselling & Communication Skills
Students will explore and improve the caring interaction and effective communication with their patients. During this course, students will be introduced to the difference between therapeutic dialogue and everyday communication, the significance of nonverbal communication, and how to maintain an empathetic yet objective approach when communicating with patients. The patient and healthcare professional relationship will be examined.
C201 / Clinical Observation I
Interns observe the operations of the TCM clinic. Students will start by learning how to maintain a clear medical record for a patient. Students will observe how senior interns or clinical supervisors conduct TCM interviews, make diagnosis and determine appropriate treatment. There will be no diagnosis or treatment of patients done by students during this time. Emphasis will be placed on getting familiar with the procedures of taking in a new patient visit. Students will start practicing their communication skills and patient care skills in a real setting.
A240 / Acupuncture Therapy II
In this course, students begin to study the treatment of common diseases by acupuncture. The focus of this course will be internal diseases related to the respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems.
W320 / Western Medical Diagnosis
Students will examine the methods of physical diagnosis in western medicine. Emphasis is placed on history taking, and physical examination based on the system approach. Students will develop their skills in diagnostic procedures and functional tests of various body systems that can be used hand in hand with TCM diagnostic skills. This course will also cover differential diagnosis of common and critical symptoms and signs.
C220 / Clinical Patient Evaluation I
Interns will perform taking of patient history and vital signs, and will begin making supervised diagnoses as a group. They will also formulate herbal treatments once the clinical supervisor gives an herbal prescription. Emphasis will be put on collecting relevant information by using the four TCM examination skills and on differentiating syndromes based on TCM theories.
C210 / Clinical Observation II
Interns continue to observe the operations of the TCM clinic. Students will continue to practice maintaining a clear medical record for a patient. They will observe how a senior intern or clinical supervisor conduct TCM interviews, make diagnosis and determine appropriate treatment. There will be no diagnosis or treatment of patients done by students during his time. Emphasis will be on writing clear medical records, and demonstrating professionalism and a commitment to patient care.
W120 / Physiology
Building on the anatomical knowledge acquired in W110, students will study functions and regulation of organ systems in this course. Specific attention will be placed on the respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. The physiology of exercise and energy metabolism will also be discussed.
A310 / Acupuncture Therapy III
Students continue with the study of treating of internal diseases by acupuncture. The focus will be on pain treatment and diseases related to the motor, sensory, and urinary systems.
A340 / Acupressure/Tuina
This is a study of the Chinese method of therapeutic massage, which deals with Yin, Yang, Qi, Blood and the internal organs. This course covers Tuina basic principles, manipulation techniques, functions, indications, and contraindications. Students will also learn how to draw up a Tui Na treatment plan for patients.
C221 / Clinical Patient Evaluation II
Interns continue to perform taking of patient history and vital signs and will begin making supervised diagnoses as a group. They will continue to formulate acupuncture points once the clinical supervisor gives a treatment plan. Emphasis will be put on collecting relevant information by using the four TCM examination skills and on differentiating syndromes based on TCM theories.
P301 / TCM Internal Medicine I
This is the first of a series of advanced courses focusing on the etiology, pathology, differentiation and treatment of individual disorders of internal medicine. Treatment approaches will be focused on selecting Chinese herbal formulas and modifications according to clinical manifestations as well as determining acupuncture point prescriptions and proper techniques. Diseases covered include common cold, cough, lung abscess, wheezing and asthma, watery phlegm and sputum, spontaneous sweating and night sweating, bleeding diseases, palpitation, chest Bi syndrome, and insomnia.
A320 / Acupuncture Case Studies I
Students will have an opportunity to discuss cases and also review difficult, interesting, and unusual cases in acupuncture. Emphasis will be on improving proficiency in acupuncture prescriptions.
A330 / Acupuncture Case Studies II
Students will continue study about interesting and difficult cases in acupuncture. Emphasis will be on improving students' capability to prescribe acupuncture treatments for a wide variety of conditions in a full spectrum of patients proficiently and independently.
C310 / Clinical Internship - Supervised Practice I
Interns will continue to perform history-taking of patients, but will also make supervised diagnoses, and recommend and dispense herbal prescriptions. They will conduct acupuncture treatment as a group under the supervision of a clinical instructor. Emphasis will be on improving acupoint location accuracy, needling techniques, angles and depth.
W220 / Pathology
Pathology involves the study of the nature and mechanism of diseases. This course teaches students the basic concepts of pathology dealing with abnormal cellular changes, response, injury, acute and chronic inflammation, neoplasm and a systemic review of pathology in neurological and endocrine and other systems.
P310 / TCM Internal Medicine II
In this course, students will continue studying etiology, pathology, differentiation, and treatment of individual disorders of internal medicine. Diseases studied include reversal pattern, Qi stagnation disorders, mania, epilepsy, stomachache, dysphagia occulsion syndrome, vomiting, hiccup and belching, diarrhoea, and dysentery.
P320 / TCM Internal Medicine III
In this course, students will continue studying etiology, pathology, differentiation, and treatment of individual disorders of internal medicine. Diseases covered include abdominal pain, constipation, hypochondriac pain, jaundice, abdominal masses, drum-like distension, headache, dizziness and vertigo, stroke, convulsive disease, and edema.
C320 / Clinical Internship - Supervised Practice II
Interns will continue to perform history-taking of patients, but will also make supervised diagnoses, recommend and formulate herbal prescriptions. They will conduct acupuncture treatment under the supervision of a clinical instructor. Emphasis will be placed on setting up thorough acupuncture treatment plans for patients.
W310 / Pharmacology
This course familiarizes students with a comprehensive study of therapeutic approaches and drugs used in the treatment of diseases in western medicine. The mechanism of actions, absorption, excretion and toxicity of specific drugs will be reviewed during this course.
O450 / Practice Management & Ethics
This course is a practical guide to business planning, advertising, insurance billing and business ethics. Medical legal issues will be studied with a view towards legal responsibilities and obligations to patients and other health care providers. The courses introduces the students to patient record-keeping, informed consent, confidentiality and privacy issues, standards of practice, and code of ethics as health care professionals.
O301 / Introduction to TCM Classics
Students will be introduced to the four major TCM Classics; Huangdi Neijing, Shanghan Lun, Jingui Yaolue, and the Study of Warm Disease. Practices based on these precepts have provided a solid foundation and guided the development of TCM over the last two thousand years.
P401 / TCM Internal Medicine IV
In this course, students will continue studying etiology, pathology, differentiation, and treatment of individual disorders of internal medicine. Diseases studied include strangury, difficult urination and urinary retention, lower back pain, diabetes-like condition, Bi syndrome, atrophy syndrome, fever caused by internal exhaustion, and deficient fatigue. TCM Internal Medicine I, II, III, and IV will complete all disorders of internal medicine commonly seen in the TCM profession.
A335 / Advanced Accupuncture Studies
This course provides students with a detailed understanding of the acupuncture points to be treated with special caution, including points close to internal organs, arteries, nerves and the brain.
C330 / Clinical Internship - Supervised Practice III
Interns will continue to perform history-taking of patients, but will also make supervised diagnoses, recommend and formulate herbal prescriptions. They will conduct acupuncture treatment under the supervision of a clinical instructor. Emphasis will be on prescribing herbal medicine with high proficiency and independence.
C410 / Clinical Internship Proximal Supervised Practice I
Interns will begin to evaluate and treat patients under proximal supervision of the clinical supervisor. They will diagnose and treat patients independently, consulting with the clinical supervisor before and after each treatment. Interns’ treatment will be evaluated and reviewed by the clinical supervisor and peers as part of case presentation clinical rounds. Emphasis will continue to be on prescribing herbal medicine with high proficiency and independence.
C420 / Clinical InternshipProximal Supervised Practice II
Interns will continue to evaluate and treat patients under proximal supervision of the clinical supervisor. They will diagnose and treat patients independently, consulting with the clinical supervisor before and after each treatment. Interns treatment will be evaluated and reviewed by the clinical supervisor and peers as part of case presentation clinical rounds. Emphasis will be in setting up a full TCM treatment plan and conducting treatment in an efficient and professional manner.
ACUE / Prep & Final Exam
Preparation and final exams: 20 hours per term for nine of 10 terms.
