Seven themes common to each year of the degree programmes

1. Human physiology: Expression of Veda and Vedic Literature
Throughout each year of the curriculum, students study the relationship between the fundamental structures and functions of human physiology and the 40 aspects of Veda and Vedic Literature. This knowledge is explored in increasing depth each year.

2. Eight Major Organ Systems
Study of the physiology in each year is organized by the eight major organ systems, each system considered in light of its unified basis in pure consciousness:

The Human Life-Cycle
Study of the body in terms of the eight systems is complemented by the study of sequential physiological development through the different stages of the human life-cycle, from prenatal to birth, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age.

Physiological Correlates of Consciousness
Understanding human physiology in terms of the eight systems is made complete by examining the scientific research on the physiological changes associated with different states of consciousness: waking, dreaming, sleeping, Transcendental Consciousness, and higher states of consciousness—enlightenment.

3. Basic Medical Principles and Clinical Practices in Contemporary Medicine and Vedic Medicine

Topics include:

• Aetiology, pathogenesis, classification of disease, and epidemiology
• Principles and practice of Vedic diagnosis, including patient history and examination
• Principles and programmes of prevention
• Basic principles of the different diagnostic and treatment modalities
• Professional practice, including patient and professional communication and etiquette, and medical ethics

4. Classical Texts of Ayurveda
Students will examine the basic principles of Maharishi Vedic Medicine through the classical texts of Ayurveda: Charak Samhita, Sushrut Samhita, Vaghbatt Samhita, Madhav Nidan Samhita, Sharngadhar Samhita, Bhava-Prakash Samhita, Harita Samhita, Bhel Samhita, and Kashyap Samhita.

5. Perfecting the Skill of Vedic Pulse Diagnosis
Students will become increasingly refined and accurate in their ability to detect the a patient’s state of health from the pulse, and will learn to select the necessary treatment, diet, and d/or herbs, or other treatment for the patient long before any imbalance manifests as a disease.

The highest aim of training is to create a physician capable not only of flawless diagnosis, but also of quickly reversing, sometimes, in a matter of minutes the progress of a disorder through effective treatment. Restoration of balance in the patient and realignment of the physiology in the evolutionary direction should be achieved with the same rapid speed that some disorders can attack the physiology.

6. Introduction to Other Health Care Systems
Students will learn the basic principles of different medical systems, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Information and Energy Medicine.

7. Seminar in the Latest Advances in Medical Knowledge and Technology
Students will be introduced to the most current knowledge and technologies of medicine as they impact health care.

Topics include special issues in diagnostics and treatment, evidence-based medicine, public health and global health, mind-body medicine, psycho-neuro-immunology, traditional and complementary approaches to health care, health informatics, information technology, and telemedicine.