3808 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida 34234
941-355-9080 (fax) 941- 355-3243
Course Syllabus
Title and Code of course: OM 418 Differentiation of Syndromes: Pathogenic Factors & 8 Principles
Course Description: The first half of this course covers the Process of Identification of disease according to
the Eight Principles, which include the categories of Yin/Yang, Interior/Exterior, Hot/Cold and
Excess/Deficient. The second half of this course investigates the pathological changes that occur when the
body is affected by the 6 exogenous pathogenic factors, the seven emotions, food, overwork, trauma and
parasite damage.
Prerequisites: OM415, AC403
Instructional Contact Hours: 30 hours
Academic Credits: 2 Academic Credits
Homework Hours: 60
Instructor’s name and contact information:
Instructor: Brian Lau, A.P., D.O.M., C.SMA blau@myewcnm.org
EWCNM Campus Main Line 941-355-9080
Student Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this course students will be able to:
1) Identify the patterns, give principle symptoms and signs and indicate the chief methods of treatment
according to:
 Interior/Exterior
 Hot/Cold
 Excess/Deficient
 Yin/Yang
2) Define, discuss and apply the terms syndrome, sign, symptom, disease and compare these to their use in
western science.
3) Name the different TCM pathogenic factors, their clinical manifestations, and discuss treatment
principles for resolving each condition.
3808 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida 34234
941-355-9080 (fax) 941- 355-3243
Instructional Materials / References:
Required Text:




Cheng, Xinnong Ed. Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Foreign Language Press, Beijing, 1987.
Maciocia, Giovanni, Foundations of Chinese Medicine. Churchill Livingstone, 2005.
Yang Weiyi, Meng Fanyi, Diagnostics of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Academy Press, 1998.
Maoshing Ni, Ph. D., The Yellow Emperors Classic of Medicine, a New Translation of Neijing Suwen with
commentary. Shambala, Boston and London 1995
Recommended Text:
 Deng, Tietao. Practical Diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine, New York: Churchill Livingstone,
1999.
Teaching Strategies:
 Weekly classroom lecture,
 Classroom discussions
Requirements for Successful Completion:
Student success is evidenced by: satisfactory completion of all required assignments, satisfactory attendance
and achieving a passing final grade of 70% or higher.
3808 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida 34234
941-355-9080 (fax) 941- 355-3243
Student Learning Outcomes Rubric:
Criteria
Discuss the different
aspects of the DOS
according to 8
Principles
Underdeveloped
(failing grade)
Student has little
knowledge of DOS
according to 8
Principles
Discuss the different
aspects of the DOS
according to
Pathogenic Factors
Student has little
knowledge of DOS
according to
Pathogenic Factors
Discuss and develop
treatment principles
according to their
presenting patterns
Student has little
understanding of the
treatment principles
according to their
presenting patterns
Discuss case studies
with reference to the
understanding of 8
Principles and
Pathogenic Factors
Student does not
understand or have
adequate knowledge
of the foundations of
8 Principles and
Pathogenic Factors
Developing
(mid-range grade)
Student has a
developing
knowledge DOS
according to 8
Principles
Student has a
developing
knowledge DOS
according to
Pathogenic Factors
Student has a growing
understanding of the
treatment principles
according to their
presenting patterns
Student has a
developing
understanding and
knowledge of the
foundations of 8
Principles and
Pathogenic Factors
Methods of Evaluation:
Tests (3): 20% each
Final Exam: 25%
Homework Assignments: 15%
Grading Scale: Standardized & Set By EWCNM
A: 90-100%
B: 80-89%
C: 70-79%
F: 0-69%
Highly Developed
(high end grade)
Student has a fully
developed knowledge
DOS according to 8
Principles
Student has a fully
developed knowledge
DOS according to
Pathogenic Factors
Student has a highly
developed
understanding of the
treatment principles
according to their
presenting patterns
Student has a highly
developed
understanding and
knowledge of the
treatment of
foundations of 8
Principles and
Pathogenic Factors
3808 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida 34234
941-355-9080 (fax) 941- 355-3243
Student Responsibilities and Expectations:
PLEASE SEE STUDENT MANUAL FOR THE FULL DESCRIPTIONS AND EXPLANATIONS OF ALL
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
Essential Standards for Admission, Progression, and Graduation
These areas of proficiency include, but are not limited to observation skills, motor skills, communication skills,
analytical skills, and emotional maturity. All technical requirements are considered essential standards for
admission, progression and graduation from the college.
Academic Technical Standards
East West College of Natural Medicine upholds that there are non-cognitive factors of academic performance
required to be displayed for graduation from this program.
Class Attendance:
Class attendance is a required component of the education at East West College of Natural Medicine, and
instructors are required to take attendance at each class. Regular and punctual class attendance is expected of all
students, and the responsibility for class attendance rests with the individual student.
Type of Course
Required Attendance
Allowable Absence w/o Make- Withdrawal from Course
Up Assignments
Required: Must Retake Course
100% of Course Hrs.
15 hr. course = 1.5 hrs. missed
30 hr. course = 3.0 hrs. missed
45 hr. course = 4.5 hrs. missed
60 hr. course = 6.0 hrs. missed
0 Hours Allowed
15 hr. course = Missed > 4.5 Hrs.
30 hr course = Missed > 9 Hrs.
45 hr. course = Missed > 13.5 Hrs.
60 hr. course = Missed > 18 Hrs.
0 Hours Allowed
100% of Course Hrs.
0 Hours Allowed
0 Hours Allowed
Didactic Courses
90% of Course Hrs.
Clinic
Herbal Clinic
Academic Honesty:
EWCNM recognizes the value of academic honesty and requires all students to abide by the code of conduct and
professional ethics. Students are expected to be honest in all areas of their academic life. Cheating, plagiarism,
violation of test conditions, complicity in dishonest behavior, or other falsification of academic work is a serious
breach of college expectations and is subject to immediate disciplinary action. A student guilty of academic
dishonesty will receive an “F” in any course in which the work was involved. Additionally, depending upon the
nature of the case and the severity of the infraction, the student will receive a penalty ranging from probation to
expulsion from the college. The official actions of the college may be either academic in nature or both academic
or disciplinary.
3808 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida 34234
941-355-9080 (fax) 941- 355-3243
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is any attempt to represent the work of others as your own. It includes the unauthorized use or close
imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original
work. Copyright laws protect writers' words as their legal property. To avoid the charge of plagiarism, students
must take care to credit those from whom they borrow and quote. Students are responsible for accurately citing
any sources used in the research and writing of all assignments. This includes all formats of materials, print and
electronic.
Dress Code and Professional Demeanor:
Students are expected to wear scrubs during both class and clinic, and to maintain health, personal hygiene and
cleanliness. Clothing and shoes worn while functioning as a medical student should reflect professional status,
provide for mechanical safety of the student and patients, allow for full performance of all duties, and provide
for easy identification of the student to patients and supervisors and staff.
Code of Conduct:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Honesty and Integrity;
Respect for Others;
Reliability and Responsibility;
Commitment to Self-Improvement.
3808 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida 34234
941-355-9080 (fax) 941- 355-3243
Reading assignment
Homework assignment
Week Number
Week 1:
Chapter/Topic to be covered
(4 Hours/Week)
Course Introduction: review course
syllabus, course requirements and
expectations. The main contents of
diagnostics in TCM.
Labor Day
Interior Exterior Assignment,
emailed by date of test 1
Week 3:
Concept of the Eight Principles Syndrome
Differentiation. Syndrome differentiation
according to Interior and Exterior: Painful
Obstruction Syndrome, External Pathogenic
Factors
Foundations 264, 429-431, 681-707
CAM 295-297
Week 4:
Concept of Syndrome Differentiation
according to Interior and Exterior: Internal
Pathogenic Factors
Week 5:
Test 1
Analyze 4 Interior and 4 Exterior
patterns from Foundations or
another source and highlight the
manifestations that make them
either interior or exterior, write it
up to turn in and be prepared to
discuss in class after test.
Interior Exterior Assignment due
by email
Week 6:
Syndrome differentiation according to Cold
and Heat
Week 7:
Syndrome differentiation according to Cold
and Heat, Cold and Heat Pathogens
Test 2
Week 2:
Week 8:
6
Painful Obstruction Syndrome
Handout (1 page summary typed,
due following week)
Cold Heat Assignment emailed by
date of test 2MAC 431-437, 681707; CAM 297-299
Analyze 4 Cold and 4 Hot patterns,
see above.
Cold Heat Assignment due by
email
3808 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida 34234
941-355-9080 (fax) 941- 355-3243
Week 9:
Syndrome differentiation according to
Excess and Deficiency
Week 10:
Syndrome differentiation according to
Excess and Deficiency (cont.), Excess
Pathogenic Factors
Test 3
Week 11:
Week 12:
Syndrome differentiation according to Yin
and Yang
Week 13:
Week 14:
Syndrome differentiation according to Yin
and Yang
Review for Final Exam
Week 15:
Final Exam
Excess Deficiency Assignment,
emailed by date of test 3, MAC
437-441, 681-707; CAM 299-302
Analyze 4 Excess and 4 Deficient
patterns, see above.
Excess Deficiency Assignment due
by email
Final Exam Review Assignment,
emailed by date of final exam,
MAC 441-443; CAM 302-303
Final Exam Review Assignment
due by email
M418 DOS: Pathogenic Factors and 8 Principles:
Instructor Topical Outline: Material provided must be covered, additionally and/or more
detailed information may be added to topical outline, all updates must be submitted to the
academic department.
1. Review Course Syllabus, Course Requirements and Expectations
Course Introduction: Introduction to Observational Diagnosis, Tongue and Pulse, Pulse
Project (Minimum 100 pulses)
A.
The Concept of Syndrome:
(a) Definition of Syndrome
(b) Definition of Symptom
(c) Definition of Disease
(d) Compared to Western Diagnosis
B.
The Contents of Differentiation of Syndromes and Diseases
C.
The Process of Differentiation of Syndrome and Diagnosis of Disease
2. Homework: 2 Hours: Reading: CAM page 295, MAC pages 417-423, Quiz study
Quiz: The Concept of a Syndrome
Lecture: Introduction to the Eight Principles
 Interior and Exterior
 Cold and Heat
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3808 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida 34234
941-355-9080 (fax) 941- 355-3243
 Deficiency and Excess
 Yin and Yang
Syndrome Differentiation/ID of Patterns using the 8 Principles
3. Homework: 2 Hours: Reading: CAM pages 295, MAC pages 426-428, Quiz study
Quiz: Introduction to the Eight Principles
Lecture: Exterior and Interior:
(a)
Exterior Patterns: Symptoms and signs, Analysis, Treatment Method
(b)
Interior Patterns: Symptoms and signs, Analysis, Treatment Method
(c)
Distinguishing exterior and interior
(d)
The relationship between exterior patterns and interior patterns
 Conversion of exterior and interior
 Simultaneous exterior and interior pattern
 Half exterior-half interior pattern
4. Homework: 2 Hours: Reading: CAM pages 295-297, MAC pages 429-431, Quiz study
Quiz: Exterior and Interior
Lecture: Cold and Heat
(a) Cold Patterns: Symptoms and signs, Analysis, Treatment method
(b) Heat Patterns: Symptoms and signs, Analysis, Treatment method
(c) Distinguishing cold and heat patterns
(d) Mixed cold and heat
 Pattern of heat above and cold below
 Pattern of cold above and heat below
 pattern of exterior cold and interior heat
 Pattern of exterior heat and interior cold
(e) Conversion of cold and heat
(f) True and false heat and cold
 True heat and false cold (extreme heat appearing as cold)
 True cold and false heat (extreme cold appearing as heat)
 The distinctions of true and false and cold and heat
(g) Cold and heat, excess and deficiency in exterior and interior patterns
 Exterior cold and exterior heat
 Exterior deficiency and exterior excess
5. Homework: 2 Hours: Reading: CAM pages 297-299, MAC pages 431-437
Quiz: Cold and Heat
Lecture: Deficiency and excess
(a) Deficiency Pattern: Symptoms and signs, Analysis, Treatment method
(b) Excess Pattern: Symptoms and signs, Analysis, Treatment method
(c) The relationship of deficiency patterns and excess patterns

Mixed deficiency and excess
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3808 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida 34234
941-355-9080 (fax) 941- 355-3243
 Excess pattern transforming into deficiency
 Excess due to a deficiency pattern
(d) True and false deficiency and excess
 True excess false deficiency
 True deficiency false excess
(e) The relationship of deficiency and excess and cold and heat
(1) Deficiency patterns
 Determining from the clinical characteristics
 Determining the characteristics from the emergency of disease and the course
of disease
(2) Excess patterns
 Determining from the clinical characteristics
 Determining the characteristics from the emergency of disease and the course
of disease
6. Homework: 2 Hours: Reading: CAM pages 299-302, MAC pages 437-441, Quiz study
Quiz: Deficiency and Excess
Lecture: Yin and Yang
(a)
Yin patterns: Symptoms and signs, Analysis, Treatment method
(b)
Yang patterns: Symptoms and signs, Analysis, Treatment method
(c)
Yin deficiency: Symptoms and signs, Analysis, Treatment method
(d)
Yang deficiency: Symptoms and signs, Analysis, Treatment method
(e)
The meaning of collapse of Yin pattern and collapse of Yang pattern
(f)
(g)
Collapse of Yin: Symptoms and signs, Analysis, Treatment method
Collapse of Yang: Symptoms and signs, Analysis, Treatment method
7. Homework: 2 Hours: Quiz and midterm review and study
Quiz: Yin and Yang
Lecture: Midterm review
8. Homework: 2 Hours: Midterm exam study
Midterm Exam
9. Review Course Syllabus, Requirements and Expectations
Course Introduction: Introduction to Exogenous Pathogenic Factors
A. Concept of Pathogenic Factors (MAC 255, CAM 254)
B. Pathogenic Factors (Climatic Factors) in relationship to Seasons (MAC 256-257)
C. Comparison of Chinese vs. Western Diseases
D. 6 Exogenous Pathogenic Factors (MAC 255)
10. Homework: 2 hours; Reading: CAM 254-256; MAC 255-257; 417-420; 681-687
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3808 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida 34234
941-355-9080 (fax) 941- 355-3243
Quiz: Know the chart of Pathogenic Factors in relation to the Seasons and Organs; 6
exogenous Pathogenic Factors
Lecture: A. Wind Pathogen Syndrome
1) Clinical Manifestations of Wind
2) Types of External Wind Invasion
a. Wind-Cold
b. Wind-Heat
c. Wind-Dampness
d. Wind-Dryness
e. Wind-Water
11. Homework: 2 hours; Reading: CAM 254-256; MAC 264; 682-687; Quiz Study
Quiz: Wind Pathogen Syndrome
Lecture: A. Cold Pathogen Syndrome
1) Characteristics
2) Empty vs. Full Cold
3) Clinical Manifestations
B. Summer heat Pathogen Syndrome
1) Characteristics of Summer-heat
2) Clinical Manifestations of Summer-heat
Acknowledgement of Conditions and Obligations in Syllabus:
I (student name) _____________________________ agree to adhere to all EWCN campus
policies and procedures and to follow the conditions and obligations set forth in this course
syllabus. I have reviewed this course syllabus and understand the requirements and expectations
herein. I also understand that I can find all student policies in the Student Manual.
Student Signature: ______________________________________ Date: __/__/____
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3808 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida 34234
941-355-9080 (fax) 941- 355-3243
11