Recommended Study Sequence

This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Students are introduced to basic TCM theory, and the physiological principles of the diagnostic system that forms the basis of TCM practice. The history and philosophy of Chinese medicine is introduced and discussed in the light of contemporary clinical practice.

This is the first of two units covering systematic anatomy and physiology at an introductory level. This unit is designed to provide students especially those in applied health science programs with an overview of body systems and their functions to ensure a suitable basis for their future studies. The unit studies the basic concepts of biochemistry and histology, general anatomy and physiology of the major body systems such as central and peripheral nervous systems, integumentary system, musculoskeletal system (bones, muscles and joints), special senses and endocrine system. Emphasis will be placed on the interconnection and relationship between structure and function at every level of organisation.

This unit introduces skills for understanding and engaging effectively with the culturally and socially diverse world in which we live and work. Indigenous Australia is a major theme and students will gain an appreciation of the achievements and needs of Indigenous Australians. The unit examines cultural awareness more broadly and puts these issues in the context of health professionals working in multi-cultural settings and handling culturally different health philosophies and practices. Cultural diversity is increasingly recognised as a major issue in the delivery of health care and a major determinant of Indigenous health.

This unit introduces skills for studying and working in health science. Students will gain an understanding of the interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary nature of health science practice in the 21st century, and how this interacts with the specialty health professions, client and community expectations of health care and employment opportunities in health science. Students will learn foundation competencies that will underpin their academic development and their safe, responsible and ethical practice in health science service environments.

This unit provides learning experiences that enable students to expand upon their understanding of TCM philosophy and principles, with particular reference to developing diagnostic skills in TCM. Students acquire basic skills in case history taking, interpretation of relevant signs and symptoms, arriving at a TCM diagnosis, and devising suitable treatment strategies.

This is the second of two units covering systematic anatomy and physiology at an introductory level. This unit is designed to provide students especially those in applied health science programs with an overview of body systems and their functions to ensure a suitable basis for their future studies. The unit studies the general anatomy and physiology of the major body systems such as cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive and lymphatic system/immunity, body fluids & acid-base balance and metabolism. Emphasis will be placed on the interconnection and relationship between structure and function at every level of organisation.

Students studying at Hawkesbury or Parramatta campus should refer to 300221 - Biology 1. Cells are the foundations of life, and an understanding of cell structure and function is required for anyone working in the medical science field. Most diseases result from or lead to malfunctioning of some aspect of cellular processes such as transport across membranes or cell replication. Underlying normal cell function, however, are the molecules of which cells are composed. Consequently, the unit will introduce lipids, carbohydrates, amino and nucleic acids, then study the processes by which these molecules are manipulated to build and recycle organelles, store and transport energy and transmit genetic information in both the prokaryote and eukaryote domains. Accordingly, the unit will include cell replication, sex cell formation, Mendelian genetics as well as cellular respiration and DNA replication, transcription and translation. The role of DNA technology in biomolecular science will be an important component of the unit and will unify the several topics listed above.

Communication is integral to professional relationships, whether working individually with a client, educating community members on health matters, or working with other professionals as part of a multidisciplinary team. This unit aims to develop communication skills in preparation for work within the health professions across these areas. Communication skills will include those needed to form therapeutic relationships with individual clients and groups, as well as those required to communicate health information to clients, groups and the wider community. Students will develop skills to establish appropriate working relationships with professional colleagues.

This unit enables students to develop a sound understanding of causes of disease in TCM with a particular focus on disease pattern differentiation. This is complemented by the reinforcement of skills in case history taking and TCM diagnostics.

This unit is intended for students enrolled in a range of health science courses within the School of Biomedical and Health Sciences. It is designed to equip students with a detailed knowledge of pathophysiological processes evident in a number of key human diseases that are vocationally relevant to these students. The content is organised using a systems based approach. Problem-based learning methods will be adopted in the tutorial component of this unit to help students develop crucial problem solving skills.

Acupuncture is one of the principal therapeutic interventions in TCM. This unit introduces students to acupuncture theory and practice, and provides opportunity to develop practical skills. It covers the theory of channels and points, channel pathway, point location and indication of the three yin/yang channels of hand and points, and the three yin channels of foot and points. This unit also expands upon the student's understanding of TCM theory and practice principles.

Herbal medicine is one of the principal therapeutic interventions in TCM. This unit introduces students to the therapeutic and reference organisation of Chinese medicinal herbs, and enables students to commence using the materia medica. It covers the commonly used herbs in each of the six categories of the Chinese materia medica, including the herbal properties, actions, indications, contraindications, combined usage as well as herbal dispensing. This unit also expands upon the student's understanding of TCM theory and practice principles.

This unit will consider the reasons and roles of evidence-based practice and research, and introduce students to their language and core concepts. Skills will be developed for asking clinical or professional healthcare questions and to translate these into search strategies for finding evidence. To make sense of that evidence, students will be introduced to quantitative and qualitative research methods, types of data, how data is described and how biostatistics is used to provide meaning to research data.

This unit version will commence from 2011. This unit extends the scope of topics explored in Pathophysiology 1 and is designed to equip students enrolled in health science courses of the School with detailed knowledge of pathophysiological processes evident in a number of key human diseases that are vocationally relevant to these students. Problem-based learning methods will be adopted in the tutorial component of this unit to help students develop crucial problem solving skills.

Acupuncture is one of the principal therapeutic interventions in TCM. This unit completes the study of system of channels and points, which forms the basis of clinical application of acupuncture. It covers the channel pathway, point location and indication of the three yang channels of foot and points, and Du and Ren channels and points. It also introduces the points of ear and scalp acupuncture. This unit expands upon the student's understanding of TCM theory and practice principles.

This unit completes the study of Chinese medicinal herbs, which forms the basis for Chinese herbal medicine. It covers the commonly used herbs in each of the twelve categories of the Chinese materia medica, including the herbal properties, actions, indications, contraindications and combined usage. It also introduces the basic knowledge of TCM dietary therapy and herbal pharmacognosy. This unit also expands upon the student's understanding of TCM theory and practice principles.

This unit outlines the research methods used to acquire knowledge in healthcare. This includes research designs, international standards, key statistics, and interpretation of results. The range of health research methods will be presented, and studies about treatment effectiveness (clinical trials and systematic reviews), diagnostic effectiveness and qualitative approaches will be explored in detail. The pathways and resources for conducting beginner research will also be introduced in this unit.

Herbal medicine is the principal therapeutic intervention in TCM. This unit follows from Chinese Materia Medica 1 & 2, and begins the study of major Chinese herbal formulas, which form the basis for clinical prescribing in Chinese herbal medicine. The focus of this unit is to compare and contrast the main formulas in specified categories, and to analyse the specific actions of the herbs that make up the formula. Students will be required to formulate, assemble and prepare complex prescriptions. This unit expands upon the student's knowledge of the Chinese Materia Medica, as well as the understanding of TCM theory and practice principles.

This unit consolidates and extends students’ knowledge of acupuncture theory and practice, and provides further opportunity to develop practical skills. Students are introduced to the theory of point combinations and the development of acupuncture prescriptions and treatment plans. Practical sessions include advanced needle manipulation, moxibustion, cupping, plum blossom and prismatic needling. This unit also expands upon the student's understanding of TCM theory and practice principles.

This unit is focused on introductory clinical practice in a clinical setting. It enables the student to link theory with practice. It expands the students’ knowledge base of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, as well as TCM theory and diagnostics. Students assist with clinical practice and may perform basic acupuncture related techniques.

Pharmacology is the study of the therapeutic interactions of drugs with the human body, focusing on the drug's mechanisms of action at the biochemical and cellular level, on adverse reactions and on clinical applications. The aim of this unit is to provide students with a sound understanding of fundamental aspects of this field to prepare for further study of advanced pharmacology or other biomedical sciences. The general principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics will be discussed in detail. This will be followed by the discussions of the major drug categories that affect different organ systems. Research methods in pharmacology and drug development process will also be introduced.

In this unit, students incorporate previous research and biostatistics knowledge to develop new skills for using evidence to inform all aspects of their professional practice. Evidence-based practice uses an enquiry led approach to manage expanding and uncertain knowledge by formulating answerable questions, effectively searching literature, critically appraising evidence validity and results, and to assess its significance in clinical practice and healthcare decision-making.

This unit is designed to introduce students to basic principles and essential skills of physical examination and diagnostic/laboratory investigation procedures, required for successful approach to diagnosis of health impairment states. Primary contact health practitioners are expected to have sound understanding of disease presentation, techniques of patient interviewing and examination for collection of relevant clinical information as well as the ability to select appropriate laboratory tests and interpret their findings. This unit will also help students to develop fundamental clinical reasoning skills required in the medical decision making process.

This unit is focused on clinical practice in a clinical setting. It enables the student to link theory with practice. It expands the students’ knowledge base of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, as well as TCM theory and diagnostics. Students facilitate clinical practice and perform a wide range of acupuncture and related techniques, in addition to basic herbal prescribing.

The study of internal medicine forms the basis of clinical practice in traditional Chinese medicine. This unit begins to bridge the gap between theory and practice. It enables the health professional to analyse, diagnose and treat common internal diseases with both acupuncture and herbal medicine and using a TCM approach. The focus of this unit is on the analysis of major presenting symptoms.

This unit provides learning experiences that enable the health professional to analyse, diagnose and treat common gynaecological diseases and musculoskeletal conditions using a TCM approach with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Students will develop a good understanding of the causes and pathophysiological mechanisms of common gynaecological diseases and musculoskeletal conditions.

This unit provides further learning experiences that enable the students to explore the original theories on physiology, pathology, diagnosis, differentiation and treatment of diseases through select periods of Chinese history. Many theoretical concepts, diagnostic systems and therapeutic methods of TCM are still in current usage, and will be covered through the study of important classical texts and academic schools of TCM thought. This unit expands upon the student’s understanding of TCM theories and practice principles through studies of the classical literature.

This unit represents a continuation of the clinical practicum and development of clinical skills. Students will also be able to apply their knowledge of professional theory, practice, research and evaluation skills to the investigation of TCM problem. Students will be expected to demonstrate competence in handling patients in a clinical context, synthesise knowledge from their studies of specialities in TCM and critically examine the practical aspects of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine research.

This unit builds on Chinese Medicine 1 and extends the student’s ability to analyse, diagnose and treat common and difficult diseases in internal medicine with both acupuncture and herbal medicine and using a TCM approach. Students will develop an understanding of the causes and pathophysiological mechanisms of a wide range of diseases.

The specialties of pediatrics, dermatology, ear, nose, throat (ENT) and eye diseases, are important divisions of TCM activity. This unit enables students to develop an understanding of the aetiology and pathophysiology of common paediatric, dermatological, ENT and eye disorders, and to analyze, diagnose and treat these conditions using acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.

This unit provides the student with intensive, supervised clinical practice experience. Arrangements will be made for students to complete this stage in China. This will involve students paying their own travel fares, as well as, training and accommodation fees to the Chinese institution. This unit represents the final clinical practicum stage and development of clinical skills. Students will be expected to demonstrate competence in handling patients in a clinical context, and manage their integrated care using TCM.

This unit represents a continuation of the clinical practicum and development of clinical skills. Students will be able to integrate their theoretical knowledge, practice skills and research base to the investigation, diagnosis and supervised treatment of patients in a clinical context. Students will be able to synthesise knowledge and competency in the practice of clinical areas of focus taught in Chinese Medicine I and II, and Specialties in TCM I and II. Students will be expected to demonstrate professional competence in handling patients in a clinical context, diagnosing more complex cases and devising and managing the integrated care of patients using TCM.