Pacific Rim College is pleased to offer some of the most unique
continuing education programs in natural health available anywhere. Below is a list of multi-
week courses, most of which are offered several times yearly. If you are interested in shorter
duration educational opportunities and events, please visit Lectures, Workshops and Events.
To register for any course, please
contact the Registrar at 250.483.2119 or admin@pacificrimcollege.ca. Course registration opens for non-program students on November 23.
Short Duration Courses (January - April 2012)
Backyard Gardening Instructor:Dr. Linda Gilkeson Satrudays from 9:30pm-5:30pm, March 10 & 31, April 7 & 14 (30 hours total) ($350* until February 1, $400* regular) This course will cover organic methods for growing annual, biennial and perennial food and medicinal plants. Topics include the following: how plants grow and what conditions different types of plants require; garden location and design; organic soil management, composting, fertilizers and the soil food web; basic gardening methods (sowing, starting seedlings indoors, transplanting, thinning, watering, mulching, propagating perennials); managing common insect and disease problems organically; winter protection of vegetables and perennials; basic seed saving. In the age of financial uncertainty, gardening skills are a
sought after commodity. This course helps students to be sustainable with independent food production
throughout the year. The course book, Backyard Bounty, is a BC Bestseller written by the course instructor, Dr. Linda Gilkeson.
15-Week Courses (January - April 2012)
Professional Writing
Development Instructor:Nadine Ijaz Fridays from 3:30pm-6:30pm, January 6 - April 20 (45 hours total) ($450*) This
course is designed to develop the students' professional
writing skills. Topics include the proper use of grammar, how to build
effective sentences and paragraphs, document organization, and writing
for your target audience.
Students will gain experience in writing an effective term paper,
literature review, newspaper/magazine article, grant application, and
curriculum vitae. In addition
to in-class writing practice exercises, students will be members of
review groups giving feedback to their colleagues to gain experience
with the peer-review process.
Intro to Herbal Medicine Instructor:James Christian Wednesdays from 3:30pm-6:30pm, January 4 - April 18 (45 hours total) ($450*) This course
explores the early origins of herbal medicine focusing on pre-1900
history with a look
forward to the future of herbal medicine in the 21st century. Students
learn about herbal traditions of the world that have shaped the world of
modern herbal medicine
including European Herbal Medicine, Indian Herbal Medicine (Ayurveda),
Chinese Herbal Medicine (TCM), African Herbal Medicine, Australian
Herbal Medicine (Aboriginal),
North American Herbal Medicine and finally South American Herbal
Medicine.
TCM Foundations Instructor:Dr. Reuven Freesman Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:15am-11:15am, January 3 - April 19 (90 hours total) ($900*) Students are
introduces to the basic philosophies and principles of Traditional
Chinese Medicine. Topics
covered include the history of acupuncture; theories of Yin and Yang and
the Five Elements; organ-based theories; an exploration of the system
of channels, collaterals
and acupuncture points; vital substances such as qi, blood, body fluids
and essence; constitutional characteristics that affect health and well
being; an introduction
to disease including etiological factors and pathogenesis; preventative
concepts including lifestyle, exercise and diet; and diagnostic and
therapeutic concepts
inherent to Chinese Medicine.
Western Nutrition Instructor:Nadine Ijaz Wednesdays from
12:00pm-3:00pm, January 4 - April 18 (45 hours total) ($450*) This course offers a deep introduction to the discipline of
integrative nutrition in its contemporary Western context. The course
investigate foods and
nutrients both scientifically and according to 'traditional'
understandings, while also considering health, ecology, politics and
economics. Students will gain
practical skills and understanding toward incorporating nutritional
recommendations into their clinical practice.
Holistic Nutrition Instructor:Gillian Marsollier Fridays from 8:15am-11:15am, January 6 - April 20 (45 hours total) ($450*) This course provides a basic understanding of
natural nutrition, with an emphasis on preventative nutrition and
curative foods. Detail is provided on the energetic and physiologic
effects of food on the human digestive system, 5-element food balancing,
working with modern day foods and treating various common syndromes.
Upon completion students have the knowledge and ability to create
preventative and curative nutritional plans for patients. This course
contains both a theoretical and practical component.
Energetics of Herbal Medicine Instructor:Nadine Ijaz Fridays from 12:00pm-3:00pm, January 6 - April 20 (45 hours total) ($450*) This course introduces students to the concepts of
Energetics in Herbal Medicine. Energetics refer to the actions and
qualities of the plants that are not directly related to the chemical
constituents. It is a system of diagnosis and explanation that has a
long history and tradition throughout various cultures of the world. The
systems that are explored in this course are Western Energetics
(derived from Greek and other European traditions including the work of
Galen), Ayurvedic Energetics (derived from the traditions of health and
healing from India) and TCM Energetics (discussing concepts such as
Yin/Yang and 5 Element Theory from China). Students explore how these
Energetic principles affect both the patient and the plants being used
as medicine.
Practical Herbal Pharmacy Instructor:James Christian Tuesdays from 3:30pm-6:30pm, January 3 - April 19 (45 hours total) ($450*) This practical course provides students with an
education in the preparation of various herbal products that are
required to be effective in the dispensary. The products that are made
include Infusions, Tinctures, Syrups, Capsules, Flower Essences, Infused
Oils, Herbal Baths, Liniments, Poultices, Fomentations, Salves, Balms
and Creams. Each class focuses on one particular product and
instructions is given about the use and effectiveness of each
preparation. Students take home the products that they make in this
class to use and experience themselves. Students are required to
complete a practical presentation in class on a product of the student's
choice. This is an ideal class for anyone interested in making their
own herbal remedies!
This is only a partial list of Continuing Education courses.
The full semester course schedule can be accessed in the New and Notworthy section of the homepage. Non-matriculating students who have met all course prerequisites may be permitted to enrol in any
program course provided that space is available. If you are interested in shorter
duration educational opportunities and events, please visit Lectures,
Workshops and Events.
*Prices are in Canadian dollars and are for non-credit-seeking
students.
Credit-seeking students should contact the Admissions Office for tuition information.