Department of Biomedical Sciences

The Department of Biomedical Sciences offers courses designed to teach students the basics of modern medicine. The general science courses required by the State and the Western medicine course offerings in this department provide the student with the required information to successfully complete the California State Licensure Requirements to become a licensed Acupuncturist.

Medical Terminology

WM400                    1.0 credit

This course introduces students to Western medical terminology used to describe body structures, operative diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, symptoms and diseases. The course focuses on the component parts of medical terms: prefixes, suffixes and root words. Emphasis is on spelling, definition and pronunciation. (Prerequisite: None)

History of Healing and Medicine
WM500                    3.0 credits
This course examines the origins and development of Chinese medicine from the perspective of the major Chinese philosophic traditions and scientific concepts. The histories of various traditional and alternative systems of Western medicine are also explored. (Prerequisite: None)

Physical Exam/Ortho-Neuro Clinical Assessment
WM501                    4.0 credits
This course teaches the skills of taking and charting a patient history and conducting a complete physical exam. Students learn a range of Western physical assessment techniques, including neurologic and musculo-skeletal assessment. (Prerequisites: FC400, FC410, FC450, FC451, WM400, WM515)

Pathology I & II
WM511, 512             6.0 credits
This course covers the pathology and pathophysiology correlations of human disease. Students first learn general pathology, including cell pathology, inflammation, immunopathology, neoplasia, genetic and developmental disorders, and fluid and hemodynamic disorders. Next, the structural and functional changes during diseases of each organ system are covered. The course emphasizes nervous, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, hemotopoietic, lymphoid, digestive, endocrine and genitourinary systems. At the completion of the course, students understand the biomedical science perspective on diseases as a basis for studying Western clinical medicine. (Prerequisites for WM511: FC400, 410, 450, 451, WM400; Prerequisite for WM512: WM511)

Western Clinical Medicine I, II & III
WM513, 514, 515      12.0 credits
This three-course series examines diagnosis and treatment of human disease from the perspective of conventional Western medicine. Students will gain knowledge of the diagnostic tools and treatment methods used by Western medical health care providers. Students will understand the language of Western medical patient assessments, how to communicate with Western health care providers, and when to refer them. The first course covers infectious diseases, cardiology, pulmonary medicine and cancer theory. The second course covers respiratory, urinary, biliary and neurological systems, as well as blood and blood neoplasms. The third course covers musculoskeletal, heptobiliary, gastrointestinal, allergic, ophthalmologic, endocrine, metabolic and physical agent disorders. (Prerequisite for WM513: WM512; Prerequisite for WM514: WM513; Prerequisite for WM515: WM514)

Research Methods
WM601                     3.0 credits
This course teaches the knowledge and skills necessary to design, organize and carry out clinical research projects. As part of the course, each student undertakes a research project. (Prerequisites: WM603, passage of 2nd level Comprehensive Exams)

Women's Primary Care
WM602                     3.0 credits
This course provides an overview of gynecology and obstetrics, including the Western medical approach to diagnosing and treating conditions. The main topics include well-woman care, gynecological pathology, the menstrual cycle, menopause, sexually transmitted diseases, normal pregnancy and pregnancy complications. (Prerequisites: WM501, WM515)

Professional Ethics
WM603                     2.0 credits
This course examines ethical issues that may arise in the practice of acupuncture and how to address them effectively. (Prerequisite: passage of 2nd level Comprehensive Exams)

Pharmacology
WM606                     3.0 credits
This course examines Western medications, including their actions, indications, side effects, adverse reactions and interactions with herbs. (Prerequisite: WM512)

Diet and Nutrition
WM607                     2.0 credits
This course covers nutritional concepts, special dietary needs, and nutritional supplements. (Prerequisites: HM654, passage of 2nd level Comprehensive Exams)

Practice Management
WM609                     3.0 credits
This course teaches students how to successfully establish, manage and market an acupuncture practice, and informs students about legal issues related to the practice of acupuncture. (Prerequisite: passage of 2nd level Comprehensive Exams)

Public Health & Community Medicine
WM611                     2.0 credits
This course explores the cultural and environmental issues that contribute to health and illness in our society. Topics include the economics of our health care system, epidemiology, how the socio-economics of individuals influences health care, and world health. This class explores the ways in which TCM practitioners interface with, and are affected by, the public health system in the USA. The class also focuses on the specific issue of chemical dependency, since Chinese medicine in combination with appropriate counseling and support networks has emerged as one of the preeminent drugless therapies in the treatment of chemical dependency. (Prerequisite: WM512)

Patient Counseling Techniques
WM662                   3.0 credits
This course introduces concepts in the area of patient-centered counseling and provides students with a range of communication skills important in working with patients. (Prerequisite: Passage of 2nd Level Comprehensive Exams)