Recommended Study Sequence

The unit studies the basic concepts of biochemistry and histology, general anatomy, and physiology of the major body systems. This unit is designed to provide students especially applied health science students with an overview of body systems and their functions to ensure a suitable basis for their future studies of regional anatomy, clinical neurosciences, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology and other clinical sciences.

This unit introduces the history, philosophy, principles and social context of naturopathic medicine. The unit provides a comprehensive exploration of the naturopathic and allopathic approaches to healing, health and disease, and the current socio-political expectations of health care providers in Australia.

Communication is integral to professional relationships. In this unit students develop skills in both written and verbal communication in preparation for work within the health professions. Students will develop self-awareness of their professional, interpersonal and communication skills, enhancing their ability to develop appropriate professional relationships with clients and colleagues.

This unit will introduce the students to the practice of remedial massage (RM). The unit will cover the scope and benefits of massage, the role of massage within the health care system (effective common with other health practitioners), the techniques used in RM, how to conduct a client assessment, and how to plan & perform a full massage consultation. The unit will cover OH & S issues including infection control, ethical and medico legal issues.

This module applies a basic knowledge of chemistry and physiology to understanding physiological processes at a chemical level and relates this to Naturopathic principles. Students learn how carbohydrates, proteins and lipids are metabolised, the fundamentals of cellular respiration, the principles of enzyme action and the basics of heredity. They also learn the biochemical processes peculiar to specific organs, including the liver, the brain and the kidneys, with a view to increasing their understanding of the importance of diet, lifestyle, and naturopathic treatment in a wholistic treatment context. The module provides students with the skills to perform simple biochemical tests, and to interpret blood and pathology test results as an important adjunct in the assessment of a client’s health status.

This unit will explore in greater depth those topics fundamental to the practice of health sciences. This unit is intended to equip students studying health sciences with a detailed knowledge of the regional anatomy of the entire body. Knowledge of embryology will complement studies in anatomy and physiology and help students to understand the correlation of structure in relation to function.

This unit will provide a comprehensive study of remedial massage using the principles and skills already developed in Remedial Massage 1. Further detailed postural, orthopaedic and neurological assessment will be undertaken relating to specific conditions. Advanced massage techniques including myofascial release, lymphatic drainage, trigger point therapy, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation/Muscle Energy Technique (PNF/MET) will be taught in relation to specific injuries and disorders. Aspects of practice management will be introduced.

This unit provides the fundamental principles and philosophical basis and origins of Homoeopathy. The theory and practice of Homoeopathy are explored using acute and general case histories, materia medica, first aid, acute cases and the preparation and storage of the remedies.

This unit explores in greater depth those medical sciences fundamental to the clinical practice of alternative and complimentary medicine. The pharmacology component of this unit is intended to provide students with thorough preparation in the fundamental aspects of this discipline. General introduction of pharmacological concepts will be followed by the discussion of common drugs affecting different body systems. The microbiology component of this course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skill to identify likely causative organisms, understand the complex relationship between host and pathogen, and select and implement rational clinical and pharmacological therapeutic strategies as required.

Nutrition 1 is the first unit in a series of three units designed to provide a professional education in nutrition. The student will learn the Naturopathic approach to the understanding of nutrition generally and foods in particular. This first unit provide the student with the knowledge of the major components (the macronutrients) of foods and how to utilise these in the promotion of health. The knowledge obtained through this unit will provide a base for students continuing onto the more clinical aspects of Nutrition 2 and 3.

This unit provides the underpinning knowledge required to practice Western Herbal Medicine (WHM) ethically, within a framework of the historical and philosophical and current dynamic approaches to practice in Australia. The unit also introduces the ‘language’ of herbalism and the therapeutic classes of medicinal herbs.

This unit is designed to introduce students to detailed knowledge of physical examination skills and diagnostic techniques necessary for the diagnosis of abnormalities. Because of the significance of the primary contact health practitioner and diagnostician role, it is essential that students become competent at disease presentation, various diagnostic methods, selection of appropriate laboratory tests and interpretation of the findings. This unit will also help students to develop crucial clinical reasoning skills required in the medical decision making process.

This unit lays down broad foundations of research as used in various disciplines of health sciences, including health and well-being, physical fitness, physical activity, and nutrition. The aim is to create an overall understanding of the significance of research in the students’ fields of endeavour. It is designed to introduce the student to foundational concepts and principles in quantitative and qualitative research methods and to explore the complementary role of research paradigms as they underpin the quest for knowledge in the health sciences. It will also address essential research themes such as epidemiology research, validity, reliability, and research ethics.

This unit builds on the knowledge gained in Nutrition 1 and develops the skills students need to understand and utilise the specific nutrient supplements in Naturopathic clinical applications. The therapeutic role of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and amino acids are learnt in depth. The problems associated with deficiency and toxicity levels and the dosages and the balance of these nutrients needed for optimal health, are discussed in detail. Accurate client assessment and interpretation of nutritional status through diagnostic procedures, interviews and questionnaires is a focus of this unit. The unit further develops the individual nutritional requirements of differing populations. Students will be taught the skills to recognise the influence that environmental issues have on nutritional status, and how to correct this in their clients.

This unit gives an understanding of herbal medicines by teaching the actions, indications, constituents, contraindications and differential materia medica. The unit presents the herbs in relation to the body systems and a wide variety of associated disease states within those systems.

This unit is designed to further extend the knowledge and skills gained in Naturopathic Nutrition 1 and 2. In this third unit, the students will focus more on putting together Naturopathic dietary and supplementation programs for specific illnesses of the human body. The nutritional knowledge in this unit is taught in relationships within systems of the body, as this is consistent with the holistic philosophy followed by complementary medicine practitioners. Case studies and diagnosis will form a large part of their assessment and these will also be used as teaching tools to increasingly develop student skills in the clinical application of Naturopathic nutrition.

This unit will equip students with detailed knowledge of pathology and pathophysiology. The lectures and tutorials apply a systemic approach to the study of a range of disease categories, providing a foundation of pathophysiological knowledge for Osteopathy, TCM, podiatry, OT, and TR students. This unit aims at preparing the future practitioner with: an in-depth knowledge base of diseases; the ability to prescribe the most accurate response as a result of a diagnosis made, and making appropriate referral if necessary.

This unit builds upon the information studied in Western Herbal Medicine 2 and gives an understanding of herbal medicines by teaching the actions, indications, constituents, contraindications and differential materia medica. The unit presents the herbs in relation to body systems different to those covered in WHM 2, and a wide variety of associated disease states within those systems.

This unit introduces the basic principles of pharmacognosy: botany, phytochemistry, plant identification, and pharmacology. Some of the major known constituents of common Chinese and European herbal medicinal substances, the pharmacological basis of their therapeutic use, mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics (absorption, metabolism, and elimination), toxicity and adverse effects are explored.

This unit provides students with supervised practical experience in a clinical setting. It enables the student to integrate theory with practice and demonstrate professional conduct. It expands the students’ knowledge base of theoretical Phytotherapy, Nutrition, Homoeopathy, Counselling and Massage, with practical experience in communication, case taking, observation, diagnostics, dispensing, clinic management and occupational health and safety.

This unit extends the scope of topics that were explored in Pathophysiology I. The lectures and tutorials in this unit, apply a systemic approach to the study of a range of disease categories, providing a foundation of pathophysiological knowledge for Osteopathy, Chinese Medicine, and Naturopathy students. This unit aims at preparing the future practitioner with: an in-depth knowledge base of diseases; to be able to anticipate and safeguard the patient from potential harm by exercising accurate judgement, and making appropriate referrals, if necessary.

Health care workers are increasingly required to work with alternative health care practitioners in providing expanded care options for their patients. This unit explores the philosophy and theories behind the most popular branches of alternative therapy. The unit is valuable for students to understand the traditions, aims and current research in this area of health care practice.