There are 13 units of study

• Cultural Competence in Health Care
• Traditional Healing Systems
• Manual Bodywork Healing Therapies
• Understanding Chiropractic Care
• Yoga: An Integrative Practice for Life
• Acupuncture
• Natural Products: Nutraceuticals, Probiotics, Herbs, and Botanicals
• Aromatherapy: The Healing Power of Scent
• Naturopathy: A Natural System of Healing
• Animal-Assisted Therapy
• The Chakra System
• Legal Issues in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
• Ethical Issues in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) 

There are 12 units of study

Introduction to the Living Processes
Our first lesson will introduce you to the fascinating subject of human anatomy and physiology. Since chemical reactions drive all of our bodies' functions, we'll start by reviewing some basic chemistry. Then we'll discuss how the human body is organized and the four main types of molecules it contains. We'll even touch on a little history because humans used to have some pretty funny ideas about living organisms. Later, you'll learn why a living human being is so different from one who's died. Finally, we'll discuss homeostasis—that drive we have to keep many different variables (like temperature and blood pressure) within a narrow range. By the time you're done with this lesson, you'll be ready to learn more about the structure and function of our bodies.

The Human Cell
The smallest living unit of the body is the cell, and it's so amazing, it deserves a lesson of its own. Even though almost all cells are microscopic, they're jam-packed with many different kinds of organelles and surrounded by complex membranes. I think you'll be amazed at their complexity as we discuss their different functions. We'll also talk about how cells reproduce, and we'll finish up with a discussion on cancer—which is cell reproduction gone amok. 

Understanding Heredity
In this lesson, we'll tackle the subject of heredity. It's probably the most technical of all the lessons because we'll be exploring genetics. You'll learn how genes determine your physical and mental characteristics, and how your parents' genetic material determine these traits. You'll learn the important differences between reproductive cells and all of the other cells in the body. Then we'll spend some time talking about a man who lived in the 1800's—Gregor Mendel, the Father of Genetics—because his insights paved the way for our modern understanding of heredity. After that, we'll discuss some different genetic disorders as you learn about specific mutations in the genetic code that can cause problems. 

The Nervous System
We'll move on to the organ systems in today's lesson. We'll start with the one I find most interesting—the nervous system. You'll learn how it's organized, its different jobs, and the structures that make thinking, feeling, and moving possible. You'll also learn how the nervous system works when we think we're in danger or we've suddenly been affected by physical pain. We'll use our knowledge about chemistry in this chapter, too, as we talk about how nervous impulses are transmitted. Finally, we'll talk about some disorders of the nervous system—what causes them and their effects.

The Skeletal System
Our bones have several functions, and some aren't so obvious. For example, did you know that red blood cells are made in your bones? Or that bones store minerals that are essential for the function of your nerves and muscles? In today's lesson on the skeletal system, we'll explore the structure and function of bones, and then we'll talk about different types of joints and the amazing structure of your spinal column. You'll learn about some common disorders of this system and what you can do to keep your bones strong. 

The Muscular System
Like the skeletal system, the muscular system is crucial for movement, but it has other functions, too. We'll discuss them in detail in today's lesson. Muscles are also a lot more complicated than they appear, so we'll spend some time talking about both the structures that we can see and the structures that we can't see without a microscope. We'll go over some of the specific muscles in the body and how they work together to perform specific movements. You'll also learn why even simple movements involve chemical reactions and a close coordination between this system and the nervous system. In the last chapter, we'll look at several common injuries to different parts of the muscular system. 

The Respiratory System
We'll focus on the respiratory system in this lesson. As you're probably aware, it's the group of organs that allow you to get that crucial substance—oxygen—to all the cells in our body. But your respiratory system has some other functions that we'll touch on in this lesson. You'll learn about the anatomy of your respiratory organs and which muscles are crucial for breathing. You'll also become aware of the differences between ventilation, external respiration, internal respiration, and cellular respiration. And we'll talk about some illnesses that could affect your respiratory system, compromising your ability to breathe. 

The Circulatory System
There's so much to learn about the circulatory system! In this lesson, we'll explore the composition of blood, the various blood cells, and the different kinds of blood vessels in your body. Of course, the heart is a crucial part of the circulatory system, so we'll talk about its chambers, valves, coronary vessels, and electrical system. You'll learn how blood travels around the body and its important functions. We'll spend some time on two of the most common health problems people experience—high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. You'll finish this lesson knowing the importance of taking care of this organ system. 

The Lymphatic System and Fighting Disease
In today's very interesting lesson, you'll learn all about the disease-fighting ability of your body. Did you know that your body is constantly bombarded with germs that want to make you sick? We'll talk about that in this lesson, as well as some of the many ways your body fights back to keep you well. The human body also has a system of vessels (similar to blood vessels) called the lymphatic system. We'll talk about its disease-fighting role as well as some of its other functions. You'll learn about some of the other organs in your body that are involved in the battle against disease. At the end of this lesson, we'll talk about different ways the body's disease-fighting ability can be compromised and why sometimes the body turns on its own cells. 

The Integumentary and Urinary System
Today we'll take a close look at two different organ systems—the integumentary system (the skin) and the urinary system. Both of these systems work to get rid of waste products that would kill you if they were allowed to build up in your body. You'll learn, too, how important these two systems are in maintaining homeostasis. We'll spend quite a bit of time on the structure of these two systems. People are often surprised to learn how complex even the skin can be. And the structures of the urinary system, particularly the kidneys, are quite amazing. At the end of this lesson, you'll learn about kidney failure and the challenges of dialysis and kidney transplantation.

The Digestive System
You'll never think about food the same way again after this lesson on the digestive system! Just writing about it made me want to be a bit more careful about what I eat. You'll learn about all the different structures involved with converting food into the chemicals our bodies need to grow, repair tissues, and carry on all the functions of life. We'll also discuss the role of the three main types of foods and the importance of many different vitamins and minerals. When you finish this lesson, you'll understand the value of eating a variety of foods and how good food choices will enhance your health. We'll spend some time discussing two common digestive disorders, and then we'll talk about one of the most common kinds of cancer—colon cancer.

The Endocrine and Reproductive Systems
We'll end this course with a discussion about the endocrine and reproductive systems. You'll learn how the endocrine and nervous systems work together to regulate all of your body's functions. We'll discuss some specific endocrine glands, the hormones they produce, and how they influence each other. Homeostasis again becomes something important to talk about because of the crucial role of the endocrine system. We'll also cover both the female and male reproductive systems. You'll learn about their anatomy and how the endocrine system affects their organs, making reproduction possible. We'll end this chapter with a discussion about two fairly common disorders—diabetes and endometriosis.

There are 12 units of study 

Module 1: What Optical Assistants Do

In this first lesson, you'll get an overview of the world of optical assisting. You'll find out how you can land a great job even if you don't have experience. You'll discover the wide range of opportunities this field offers—from retail sales to assisting in a health care setting. We'll talk about how a career as an optical assistant can lead you to own your own business, get a high-paying job as a manager, or teach at a college or university. By the end of the lesson, you'll have a sense of whether this fun and in-demand career is right for you!

Module 2: Our Amazing Eyes

Optical assisting is all about vision, and today we'll begin our in-depth exploration of the profession at the logical starting point: the eye. How does this remarkable little biological machine help create a vivid, constantly-moving picture of the world around you? We'll take a tour of the parts of the eye, and you'll find out how they work together to create the miracle of vision. The basic eye anatomy you'll master in this lesson will give you a big head start on the path to becoming an optical assistant.

Module 3: Common Eye Problems

The eyes are amazing, but they don't always work perfectly—and that's why optical professionals are always in demand. In this lesson, you'll learn about the focusing problems that cause millions of people to need glasses, contact lenses, vision therapy, or low vision aids. In addition, we'll talk about common eye disorders (everything from cataracts to sties), and you'll discover how medical conditions like diabetes and allergies can affect the eyes. I'll also share several of the important tips we give patients for protecting their eyes—tips that can protect your eyesight as well!

Module 4: Other Eye Conditions and Terms

Did you ever wonder how a person who's color-blind sees the world? Today you'll find out—and learn why there's more than one type of color-blindness. In addition, you'll discover what "lazy eye" is, and how it's treated. We'll also explore what it means to be legally blind (and why many people who think they're legally blind really aren't!).

Module 5: Front Office Skills for Success

In this lesson, we look at front office optical assisting—a wonderful career opportunity if you're a "people" person and a multi-tasker. We'll start by talking about the front office assistant's key role as a goodwill ambassador for a medical practice or business. Next, we'll discuss triage, a skill that's crucial to good patient care. Finally, we'll explore the ins and outs of scheduling patients efficiently in order to keep an office running smoothly and happily. With this new knowledge, you'll be ready to make a good impression if you step into a front office job.

Module 6: Back Office Basics

If you love helping people and you're good at mastering new technology, back office assisting can be a great job for you. Today you'll get the scoop on a very important back office skill: taking a patient's medical history. We'll also talk about pre-testing, and you'll learn about some of the tests used to gather preliminary vision data about patients. In addition, we'll take a peek at two specialty areas in back office assisting: contact lens fitting and surgical assisting. You'll find this lesson particularly interesting if you're seeking a medical career that involves lots of action and hands-on patient care.

Module 7: The Prescription

In this lesson, you'll gain the power to understand a new language: the language of optical prescriptions! You'll learn how those numbers and symbols on an eye doctor's prescription translate into just the right lenses for a patient who's farsighted, nearsighted, or astigmatic. In addition, you'll find out the differences between soft and rigid contact lens prescriptions, and learn how to read each one. We'll also explore the job of a bench optician—the all-important person who turns a doctor's prescription into the perfect eyewear to suit a patient's needs.

Module 8: Glasses: Function and Fashion

Did your last pair of sunglasses make you look like a movie star or like a bug? Do your family members' glasses flatter their faces or emphasize their facial flaws? Picking frame styles that make people look attractive and feel confident takes skill, and it's one of the favorite jobs of most optical assistants. Today you'll learn the insider secrets of eyeglass styling—and as a result, you'll know how to pick great glasses for a customer or patient . . . or for yourself!

Module 9: All About Contact Lenses

These days, contact lenses don't just correct vision problems but often make a fashion statement as well. They allow you to do things like change your eye color from green to brown or even create "tiger eyes" for a costume party! In this lesson, we'll discuss how contact lenses help correct vision, and we'll cover the fun subject of contact lens fads and fashions. In addition, you'll find out how optical assistants fit contact lenses so they're just right for each person's eyes and how they educate patients about using their lenses correctly.

Module 10: Essential Customer Service Skills

Great customer service keeps people coming back to a business time after time. Today we'll look at the best ways to make people feel welcome, respected, and well treated at every step of their visit to a doctor's office or retail optical store. You'll also get great tips for smoothing the waters if problems arise—something that can happen even in the best of businesses. In addition, you'll learn how to tailor your customer service to people's individual needs so every visitor feels like a VIP. What we cover won't just help you be a better optical assistant—it will help you shine in any situation where "peopleskills" are key.

Module 11: Specialties: Something for Everyone!

Optical assisting offers you many different settings and specialties to choose from, and in this lesson, we'll look at three of the most interesting specialties. First, you'll learn about low vision clinics, where optical assistants help people with limited eyesight regain the ability to enjoy many of their favorite activities including cooking and reading (and often even driving!). Next, we'll talk about vision therapy, a great choice if you love working with children. And finally, we'll talk about the booming field of refractive surgery, in which optical assistants play a key role.

Module 12: Certification and Licensing

If you're entering optical assisting with your eye on career advancement (no pun intended!), then you should consider becoming certified. Certification puts you in line for promotions and management positions. In addition, certification can be the first step to teaching at a college or university, or even running your own business. Today we'll look at the different types of certification you can achieve in the optical assisting field. We'll cover how to prepare for a certification test and the kinds of questions you can expect if you take one. With that information in hand, you'll be prepared to decide if certification is the right route for you.