Acupuncture (ACUP)
This is a list of the Acupuncture (ACUP) courses available at KPU.
Enrolment in these courses is restricted to students in particular programs. See the Course Planner - kpu.ca/registration/timetables - for current information about individual courses.
For information about transfer of credit amongst institutions in B.C. and to see how individual courses transfer, go to the BC Transfer Guide bctransferguide.ca
ACUP 11004 Credits
Acupuncture Fundamental Theory
Students will complete a comprehensive overview of the basic fundamental concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including its philosophy, physiology, pathology and health maintenance, to lay a solid foundation for diagnosis and other acupuncture courses.
Co-requisites: ACUP 1110, ACUP 1160, and ENGL 1100
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 11103 Credits
Mandarin Foundation for Traditional Chinese Medicine/Acupuncture
Students will develop basic listening, speaking, and reading skills in Mandarin Chinese. They will also learn to read and write primarily in the phonetic system PINYIN, but also with very common characters. They will acquire basic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) terminology while exploring the Chinese culture, especially TCM. Note: This course is restricted to students in the Traditional Chinese Medicine in Acupuncture program.
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 11604 Credits
Acupuncture Biomedical Foundation
Students will study ten major anatomical systems and their normal physiological functions. They will also explore organ structure and functional arrangement of each body system. Students will study the integumentary, skeletal, muscular and nervous system in more detail.
Co-requisites: ACUP 1100, ACUP 1110, and ENGL 1100
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 11801 Credits
Acupuncture Practicum Introduction
Students will observe client care in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinic. They will observe how senior interns or clinical supervisors conduct TCM interviews, make diagnoses and determine appropriate treatment, perform treatment, and keep medical records. Students will start practicing their communication skills, client care skills and teaching in a reality based environment.
Prerequisites: ACUP 1200
Co-requisites: ACUP 1300, ACUP 1320, ACUP 1330, ACUP 1340, and ACUP 1360
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 12004 Credits
Acupuncture Diagnosis: Data Collection
This course builds on the overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) fundamental theories that guide students to recognize abnormal symptoms and signs. The course will focus on introducing students to four TCM diagnostic skills in order to collect appropriate clinical information. Students will develop communication skills in order to gather assessment data from clients in a simulation lab.
Prerequisites: ACUP 1100
Co-requisites: ACUP 1210, ACUP 1230, and ACUP 1260
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 12103 Credits
East Asian Health and Philosophy
Students will examine the history and development of Chinese philosophy, East Asian and Chinese perspectives on health, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The course will review the formation of classical Chinese philosophy, foundational texts, yin-yang, qi, and five-element theories, and the history of East Asian medicine and some of its core modalities. Students will also discuss the modern development of TCM, and links between Chinese medicine and philosophy. Course content will include but is not limited to an overview of traditional Chinese philosophy, analysis of the Yijing and related classic texts, yang sheng traditions, Daoist medical traditions and physicians, the development of herbalism and medical practices, and an overview of Tai qi and qi gong. Note: This course is restricted to students in the Traditional Chinese Medicine in Acupuncture program.
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 12306 Credits
Acupuncture Meridian and Acupoint
Students will learn the pathways of qi and blood throughout the body via the main and extra meridians, focusing on the corresponding acupoints. They will study the methods to locate acupoints along the fourteen main meridians. They will watch instructor demonstrations and perform hands-on practice in the lab. Students will study each acupoint function and clinical indication and significance, as well as detailed instruction on points that require special care when needling.
Prerequisites: ACUP 1100
Co-requisites: ACUP 1200, ACUP 1210, and ACUP 1260
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 12603 Credits
Acupuncture Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology
This course will provide students with a basic understanding of the biochemical principles that govern the body metabolisms, and an introduction to different pathogenic microorganisms and the immune system. Students will learn the fundamentals of organic and cellular chemistry, focusing on metabolism of glucose, lipids and proteins. They will identify structures, classification, functions and properties of various molecules which are essential in the many mechanisms of the human body. Students will also learn various pathogenic microorganisms and their properties that are capable of causing diseases in humans. They will explore the cellular and humoral immune responses to infectious diseases, and the ways to prevent these infections, focusing on vaccination, sterilization, and disinfection.
Prerequisites: ACUP 1100
Co-requisites: ACUP 1200, ACUP 1210, and ACUP 1230
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 13004 Credits
Acupuncture Diagnosis: Pattern Recognition
Students will build on knowledge from the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Diagnosis Data Collection course to learn health disorder pattern identification and differentiation based on TCM theories. They will learn clinical case analysis and make TCM diagnosis in a simulated laboratory setting.
Prerequisites: ACUP 1200
Co-requisites: ACUP 1180, ACUP 1320, ACUP 1330, ACUP 1340, and ACUP 1360
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 13203 Credits
Acupuncture Technique
Students will learn filiform needling techniques including methods of manipulation, reinforcement and reduction, needle angles, insertion depth and preparation techniques. They will study moxibustion, cupping and specialized needling techniques such as scalp and ear acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, cutaneous and intra-dermal needling. Students will study the clinical indications, contraindications and precautions for each technique. Students will practice techniques in a simulated laboratory setting.
Prerequisites: ACUP 1230
Co-requisites: ACUP 1180, ACUP 1300, ACUP 1330, ACUP 1340, and ACUP 1360
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 13303 Credits
Acupuncture Therapy I
Students will study the application of basic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, diagnostic methods, meridian and acupoint theory, as well as acupuncture skills for disease treatment by using acupuncture and moxibustion. They will study the principles of acupuncture prescription and treatment protocols. Students will be introduced to Chinese internal medicine. This course will include recognition of emergency clinical situations.
Prerequisites: ACUP 1230
Co-requisites: ACUP 1180, ACUP 1300, ACUP 1320, ACUP 1340, and ACUP 1360
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 13402 Credits
Acupuncture Safety
Students will learn basic disinfection protocol and how to maintain safety in clinical practice, focusing on needling acupoints which are close to internal organs, arteries, nerves and brain stem. They will learn how to recognize emergency situations in the clinical setting and provide appropriate referral to other healthcare professionals for continuity of patient care. Students will study how to prevent and manage potential errors and complications during treatments.
Prerequisites: ACUP 1230
Co-requisites: ACUP 1180, ACUP 1300, ACUP 1320, ACUP 1330, and ACUP 1360
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 13602 Credits
Acupuncture Introduction to Pathology
The purpose of this course is to provide students with an introduction to pathophysiological processes, underlying cellular and organ function, as well as their relationship to diseases. Students will study the pathogenesis of disease.
Prerequisites: ACUP 1260
Co-requisites: ACUP 1180, ACUP 1300, ACUP 1320, ACUP 1330, and ACUP 1340
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 21002 Credits
Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine History and Classics
This course will present a comprehensive overview of the origin of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including its history, philosophical root and theoretical formation. It focuses on the establishment of TCM theory and acupuncture fundamentals. Students will be introduced to the TCM classics including their formation, conceptual and theoretical viewpoints and medical significance.
Prerequisites: ACUP 1210
Co-requisites: ACUP 2130, ACUP 2150, ACUP 2160, ACUP 2170, and ACUP 2180
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 21303 Credits
Acupuncture Therapy II
Students will continue to learn how to apply basic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, diagnostic methods, meridian and acupoint theory for disease treatment by using acupuncture and moxibustion techniques. They will study the principles of acupuncture prescription and treatment protocols. Students will learn the treatment of TCM internal diseases focusing on respiratory, nervous, and genitourinary systems, infectious, psychiatric, gynecological and pediatric diseases.
Prerequisites: ACUP 1330
Co-requisites: ACUP 2100, ACUP 2150, ACUP 2160, ACUP 2170, and ACUP 2180
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 21502 Credits
Acupuncture Communication and Ethics
The purpose of this course is to introduce significant aspects of communication skills to enable Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture (TCM) practitioners to establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with their clients and collegial relationships with the healthcare community. Emphasis is placed on therapeutic relationships, interviewing techniques, communication skills, ethics and client empowerment.
Prerequisites: ENGL 1100
Co-requisites: ACUP 2100, ACUP 2130, ACUP 2160, ACUP 2170, and ACUP 2180
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 21602 Credits
Acupuncture Western Medical Diagnosis (Imaging and Lab Testing)
This course will provide knowledge about Western diagnosis, the interpretation of common laboratory tests and imaging procedures to enhance clinical decision making which integrates Chinese and Western medicine perspectives.
Prerequisites: ACUP 1260
Co-requisites: ACUP 2100, ACUP 2130, ACUP 2150, ACUP 2170, and ACUP 2180
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 21702 Credits
Acupuncture Pharmacology
This course is to introduce students to basic pharmacology and the action of some common Western drugs in the body. Students will learn various classes of commonly used drugs, action mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, therapeutic uses, and adverse effects.
Prerequisites: ACUP 1360
Co-requisites: ACUP 2100, ACUP 2130, ACUP 2150, ACUP 2160, and ACUP 2180
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 21803 Credits
Acupuncture Practicum (Supervised I)
Students will continue to develop interview skills with clients focusing on gathering information based on four Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnostic methods and identifying patterns based on related theories. Students will make preliminary diagnosis with clinical supervision. Students will learn how to propose an acupuncture prescription and perform the treatment under supervision.
Prerequisites: ACUP 1180
Co-requisites: ACUP 2100, ACUP 2130, ACUP 2150, ACUP 2160, and ACUP 2170
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 22002 Credits
Acupuncture Taiji/Qigong
Students will learn the fundamental concepts of Taiji Quan, focusing on short form of the Yang style Taiji Quan. They will learn basic steps and movements of each form. Students will study and practice freestyle Qigong and learn how to master and cultivate one’s own qi through coordinating slow flowing movement, deep rhythmic breathing, and calm meditative state of mind.
Prerequisites: ACUP 1210
Co-requisites: ACUP 2220, ACUP 2230, ACUP 2240, and ACUP 2280
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 22202 Credits
Advanced Acupuncture
Students will learn advanced ancient acupuncture and moxibustion techniques such as Ziwu Liuzhu acupuncture therapy and the eight methods of the mystic turtle. They will study and practice modern, unique acupuncture and moxibustion techniques, focusing on specialized techniques of several acupuncture masters.
Prerequisites: ACUP 1320
Co-requisites: ACUP 2200, ACUP 2230, ACUP 2240, and ACUP 2280
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 22303 Credits
Acupuncture Case Study
Students will be presented with a variety of complex clinical cases focusing on internal medicine disease, gynecological disorders, pediatric disease, musculoskeletal, integumentary and sensory system disorders. They will determine Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture (TCM) diagnosis, etiology and pathogenesis, differentiation of syndrome, principle treatment, acupuncture prescription and appropriate delivery method.
Prerequisites: ACUP 2130
Co-requisites: ACUP 2200, ACUP 2220, ACUP 2240, and ACUP 2280
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 22403 Credits
Acupuncture Tuina (Chinese style massage)
Students will learn fundamental Tuina theories, clinical procedures and common manipulation techniques. They will study different techniques in combination with meridian and acupoint theory. Students will learn the application of acupressure/Tuina techniques for soft tissue injuries such as those of the knee joint, cervical, lumbar spine and limbs in a simulated lab setting.
Prerequisites: ACUP 1230
Co-requisites: ACUP 2200, ACUP 2220, ACUP 2230, and ACUP 2280
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 22804 Credits
Acupuncture Practicum (Supervised II)
Students will master interviewing skills with clients focusing on gathering information based on four Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnostic skills. They will identify patterns, diagnose and propose an acupuncture prescription. Students will apply acupuncture techniques with supervision to treat clients.
Prerequisites: ACUP 2180
Co-requisites: ACUP 2200, ACUP 2220, ACUP 2230, and ACUP 2240
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 23002 Credits
Acupuncture Musculoskeletal Management
Students will study Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice principles and treatment methods in conditions related to musculoskeletal injury. They will learn physical examination procedures, differential diagnosis and treatment protocols. Students will also study the special physical examination of the vertebrae, hip joints and four extremities.
Prerequisites: ACUP 2240
Co-requisites: ACUP 2320, ACUP 2340, ACUP 2360, and ACUP 2380.
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 23203 Credits
Acupuncture Practice Transitions
Students will learn how to practice as an acupuncturist and comprehensively review the theoretical and practical knowledge. Students will review documents provided by the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of British Columbia as well as the Pan-Canadian acupuncture licensing exam files, in preparation for their licensing exam.
Prerequisites: ACUP 2230
Co-requisites: ACUP 2300, ACUP 2340, ACUP 2360, and ACUP 2380
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 23402 Credits
Acupuncture Practice Management and Regulation
Students will learn how to establish and manage a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinic. They will explore business planning, marketing, record keeping, and confidentiality and privacy standards. Students will also learn legal aspects and scope of TCM practice, practice standards and professional ethics.
Prerequisites: ACUP 2280
Co-requisites: ACUP 2300, ACUP 2320, ACUP 2360, and ACUP 2380
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 23602 Credits
Acupuncture Shiliao and Nutrition
Students will learn Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diet principles, focusing on the nature of food and their properties, taste, indications and contraindications in prevention and treatment of disease. They will study different functional recipes including food composition properties. Students will learn Western nutritional principles, focusing on how to identify, demonstrate safe food handling, preparation, cooking, as well as describe a healthy diet.
Prerequisites: ACUP 1100 and ACUP 1260
Co-requisites: ACUP 2300, ACUP 2320, ACUP 2340, and ACUP 2380
Attributes: F2A8
ACUP 23804 Credits
Acupuncture Practicum (Independent)
Students will consolidate learning in order to plan and implement appropriate acupuncture treatments. They will follow up on clients' conditions as well as make referrals as needed. They will present select clinical cases to their peers. Students will practice analytic skills for determining diagnoses, treatment modalities, duration and methods.
Prerequisites: ACUP 2280
Co-requisites: ACUP 2300, ACUP 2320, ACUP 2340, and ACUP 2360
Attributes: F2A8