On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Discuss the philosophical context of TCM in preparation for future clinical practice;
2. Compare the main differences between traditional Chinese medical science and contemporary Western medical science;
3. Explain the professional practice of TCM within the context of health care in Australia, and the development of the profession internationally;
4. Describe physiological functions and attributes of the fundamental concepts including yin/yang, wu xing, vital substances, and bodily organs (zang-fu) and their interrelationships in TCM;
5. Determine the principles of aetiology and pathogenesis in TCM, including the causes of disease;
6. Discuss the interrelationship of the causes of disease, the mechanisms by which they disrupt health and the relationship of lifestyle patterns to health and prevention of disease;
7. Summarise the historical development of TCM.

1. Introduction to TCM:
- The Definition of TCM
- contemporary TCM practice (methods, clinical scope, integration)
- The main distinguishing features of TCM philosophy and theoretical principles
- difficulties in the study of TCM for contemporary Western students; contemporary TCM terminology in English, TCM concepts that do not exist in Western culture, TCM wholistic paradigm vs. WSM analytical approach
- An historical context
2. Basic TCM theory:
- yin/yang theory
- wu xing theory and The concordances
3. TCM physiology:
- Physiology of the internal organs (zang-fu)
- Origins, actions and functions of QI, blood, body fluids, jing and shen
- introduction to channels (Jingluo)
- food and fluid metabolism
4. Aetiology & pathogenesis in TCM:
- TCM view of disease
- health and disease concepts and definitions
- etiology & pathogenesis of disease in TCM
- The causes of disease in Traditional Chinese medicine
- The relationship between The body and pathogenic Factors