Course Descriptions
- Programs:
YEAR ONE
101. Fundamental Theories of TCM (Acupuncture Program)
This course provides the students with an understanding of the rich and fascinating fundamental theories of TCM, including the history of TCM, the theory of Yin-Yang, the theory of Five Elements, the theory of Qi, blood and body fluids, the theory of Zang-Fu organs, and the theory of meridians and collaterals. TCM etiology and pathogenesis, diagnostic techniques (four examinations), preventive measures, and principles of treatments will also be introduced to the students.
102. Human Anatomy (Acupuncture Program)
This course presents an in-depth study of normal structures on the human body. At the beginning it includes a general introduction to the human body, in which organization of the body, anatomical terms, basic histology, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous system, circulatory system, and medical imaging will be briefly discussed. Following the introduction, regional anatomy is taught. Topics include upper limbs, lower limbs, head and neck, back, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and perineum.
103. Human Physiology (Acupuncture Program)
This course presents an in-depth study of normal functions of the human body. At the beginning the central concept of human physiology - homeostasis will be introduced in detail, followed by a full discussion of cellular physiology, neurophysiology, cardiovascular physiology, renal physiology, hematology and immunology, respiratory physiology, gastrointestinal physiology, endocrine physiology, and reproductive physiology.
A104. Basic Biochemistry (Acupuncture Program)
This course will be taught with the emphasis on the basic concepts of biomolecules, including major organic compounds in the body like proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, etc.; basic enzymology that deals with general enzyme kinetics and regulations; basic metabolic pathways related to important body functions; and basic molecular biology covering genome organization, DNA, RNA and protein synthesis and processing as well as mutations.
A105. Basic Microbiology (Acupuncture Program)
Students will be instructed on the topics of the principles of public health microbiology, which basically examines general concepts of microorganisms, microbial metabolism, control of microbial growth, microbial genetics, characteristics of different classes of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and other parasites. This course will also discuss the principles of diseases and epidemiology, mechanisms of pathogenicity and common microbial diseases.
108. Diagnostics of TCM (Acupuncture Program)
Students will be instructed on the two main topics: diagnostic techniques or four examinations (inspection, auscultation/olfaction, interrogation, and palpation), which includes unique tongue and pulse diagnosis, and differentiation of syndrome according to the fundamental theories of TCM. Comprehensive applications of diagnostic methods as well as diagnosis of commonly seen clinical symptoms will be discussed. Students will also be involved in actual case studies.
A109. Contemporary and TCM Pathology (Acupuncture Program)
This course will be focused on the pathologic basis of diseases in Western medicine in comparison with TCM etiology and pathogenesis. Topics include general pathology, cardiovascular and hematologic pathology, respiratory pathology, head and neck pathology, digestive pathology, urogenital and breast pathology, endocrine pathology, dermatologic pathology, musculo-skeletal pathology, and neurologic and eye pathology.
A110. Contemporary and TCM Pharmacology (Acupuncture Program)
This course will introduce to the students the basic concepts of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of modern drugs in comparison with TCM herbal materials. It also discusses drugs affecting the autonomic nervous system, drugs affecting the central nervous system, drugs affecting the cardiovascular system, drugs affecting other organ systems, chemotherapeutic drugs, and anti-inflammatory drugs and autacoids.
111. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion I - Meridian Systems and Acupuncture Points (Acupuncture Program)
This is the first one of the five Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion courses. The meridian systems and acupuncture points will be introduced. Students will learn 12 regular meridians, 8 extraordinary meridians, 15 collaterals, and other meridian and collateral pathways. The anatomical locations and needling methods of about 400 regular and standardized extra acupuncture points will also be studied.
112. Medical Herbology I - Materia Medica (Acupuncture Program)
Herbal medicine is a major part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It represents one of the most powerful forms of medicine used in the world today. Chinese herbology is the most organized, experienced, consistent and accessible treatment and prevention system available. This course presents a comprehensive study of over 300 herbs from the Chinese Materia Medica, including their names, classification, nature, taste, properties, entering meridian, indication, usage, safe and maximum dosage, precautions, contraindications, combinations and preparation. A general overview and detailed analysis of the qualities, entering channels and functional aspects of each herb will be introduced.
A114. Clinical Observation and Internship I (Acupuncture Program)
This is the first clinical observation & internship course. Students will be oriented by the supervising doctor to have a general tour of the college clinic, to review all information presented, and to put their skills and knowledge to the test in actual clinical practice.
YEAR TWO
201. Tui Na (Acupuncture Program)
Chinese Tui Na, known as Chinese medical therapeutic massage and acupressure. Japanese Shiatsu and American Reflexology are also a part of Chinese Tui Na. Chinese Tui Na is a very special massage method used to treat soft tissue dysfunctions and bone structures. It is a specialty department in TCM hospitals in China . In this course, students will explore all the theories, concepts, techniques and indications of Chinese medical therapeutic massage. Students will also study the treatments of the most commonly seen clinical situations.
A202-I. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion II - Treatment Strategy (Acupuncture Program)
This course will focus on the acupuncture treatment strategies, including general principles of acupuncture treatment, selection and combination of acupuncture points, and acupuncture and moxibustion techniques. Approximately 75 commonly seen clinical situations, including internal, external, gynecologic, pediatric, and miscellaneous diseases, will also be discussed.
A202-II. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion III - Ear and Scalp Acupuncture (Acupuncture Program)
This course will introduce to the students the two modern acupuncture techniques - ear and scalp acupuncture. Basic auricular structures, original and standardized ear and scalp acupuncture points, as well as their indications and needling methods will be discussed.
203. Medical Herbology II - Prescriptional Combinations (Acupuncture Program)
This course is a systematic study of the most commonly used herbal formulas and their modifications, focusing on analyzing what each herb does and the role it plays in the formula. Chinese herbal prescriptions are the art of therapeutic strategy and balance. The herbs within the prescription have to be balanced and well defined. In this course, students will learn how to choose the correct herbs and medical formulas from thousands of Chinese herbs and formulas available and how to modify a formula and organize a prescription to fit the patient's condition and individual needs.
204. Internal TCM I (Acupuncture Program)
Internal Medicine represents the biggest department of TCM hospitals in China . This course includes symptomatic analysis for metabolism disorders, neurology, nephrology, psychiatry, hematology, immunology, infectious diseases, rheumatology, pulmonary medicine, cardiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, oncology and parasitology.
A207. Clinical Observation and Internship II (Acupuncture Program)
Students review all knowledge and skills acquired to this point and try to put all the taught treatment methods together to provide treatment to patients in actual clinical cases. Limited hands-on practice will be included.
A208. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion IV - Clinical Case Studies(Acupuncture Program)
In this course, the students will study 80 commonly encountered clinical cases, in which patients' main complaints and detailed medical histories (including tongue and pulse conditions) are provided. Students are responsible for analyzing the information, making appropriate diagnoses, and determining the treatment principles and point selections, while the instructor summarizes all the cases.
209. Medical Herbology III - Patent Medicine (Acupuncture Program)
Approximately 120 commonly used Chinese patent formulas available in North America will be introduced. Many of the prescriptions have been used for hundreds of years and have proven themselves safe and efficient.
210. Internal TCM II (Acupuncture Program)
This course is the continuation of the course #204. More diseases will be discussed, including symptomatic analysis for metabolism disorders, neurology, nephrology, psychiatry, hematology, immunology, infectious diseases, rheumatology, pulmonary medicine, cardiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, oncology and parasitology.
A205. External TCM (Acupuncture Program)
This course will introduce the students to the basic TCM surgery, dermatology, orthopedics and traumatology, including their general characteristics and commonly seen diseases in each of these.
A215. Clinical Observation and Internship III (Acupuncture Program)
This is the third clinical observation and internship course. Students again review all knowledge and skills acquired to this point, and try to put all the taught treatment methods together to provide treatment to patients in actual clinical cases.
YEAR THREE
A301. Medical Terminology of Contemporary Medicine (Acupuncture Program)
This course helps the students to better understand the course #A302, improving communication skills with western medical doctors and other health care professions and helping students to write a formal medical report. In this course, students will learn the basic terminology used to describe symptoms, signs, syndromes and diseases.
A302. Western Medical Diagnostic Science (Acupuncture Program)
This is an introductory Western medical diagnostic science course, in which topics include general principles of history taking, general principles of physical examination, and detailed information on the procedures of medical investigation in a systematic way, covering cardiovascular system, respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, genitourinary system, hematological system, rheumatological system, endocrine system, nervous system, psychiatric history and mental state examination, and skin.
A303. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion V - Clean Needle Techniques (Acupuncture Program)
In this course, students will learn the modern standardized clean needle techniques developed in the North America , since it is one of the requirements for the registration as an acupuncturist and TCM practitioner.
A304. TCM Gynecology and Pediatrics (Acupuncture Program)
This course has two parts in which TCM gynecology will cover female reproductive anatomy and physiology, etiology and pathogenesis of women's diseases, principles of diagnostics and therapeutics, preventive measures and health care, and common gynecologic diseases; while TCM pediatrics will cover children's growth and development, physiologic, pathologic, etiologic characteristics, principles of diagnostics and therapeutics, preventive measures and health care, and common pediatric diseases.
A305. Special Clinical Cases Studies and Discussions (Acupuncture Program)
This course involves independent pursuit of an activity related to TCM training. Some special topics on the integration of advanced medical science and clinical information with alternative, preventative and Chinese medicine will be discussed. Topics may also include the area of modern immunology and Chinese preventative health aspects, physical and psychological aspects of the aging process and the prevention and treatment of aging problems. The topics and cases will be selected by the students or faculty and will be in areas that offer the biggest challenge to the medical profession and health care professionals such as AIDS, cancer, parasite infections, diabetes and stroke.
A306. Emergency Management - CPR-First Aid (Acupuncture Program)
This course covers cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid with specific attention to special clinical situations.
A307. TCM and Western Medicine (Acupuncture Program)
This course has two parts. The first part discusses how to integrate traditional Chinese medicine and conventional medicine. The student will learn how to prepare a research program, complete their research and prepare a finished thesis. Each student will choose their own research topic and present their thesis before the faculty and other students. The second part is the thorough review of important concepts of TCM and Western Medicine, followed by a comprehensive examination (final exit exam).
A308. Clinical Observation and Internship IV (Acupuncture Program)
This is the fourth clinical observation and Internship course. Students review all knowledge and skills acquired to this point, and to put all learned treatment methods together to provide treatment to patients in actual clinical cases.
A309. Final Practicum and Internship V (Acupuncture Program)
This is the final supervised clinical practice of the program. It will include the full-time practice of TCM at the college clinic and approved clinics in the province of Alberta . The student's ability to treat patients is evaluated on a regular basis by their supervisors. From time to time, students may make their own decisions on the treatment methods, but must obtain the supervisor's approval. An intern must have completed the full 700 hours and get a satisfactory evaluation from their supervisors in order to graduate and be issued a diploma.
- Total program hours: 2668 hrs
- Total clinical hours: 904 hrs
- All course exams will be held during regular class hours
