Psychiatry (PSYT)

FYS: Mental Illness and the Brain.

Terms offered: Fall 2025

This course will introduce the student to the fundamentals of neuroscience, and then use these principles to illustrate recent advances made on the biological causes of, and treatments for, mental disorders with a strong biological component: schizophrenia, depression, mania, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and alcohol and drug abuse.

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Issues in Drug Dependence.

Terms offered: Fall 2025

The phenomenology and epidemiology of the use and abuse of alcohol, nicotine, opiates, stimulants, sedatives and psychotomimetic agents are discussed in relation to current theoretical and experimental issues. The perspective is multidisciplinary and the intention is to develop an understanding of the nature of the issues surrounding drug dependence.

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Research Project in Psychiatry.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Individually supervised research projects in either fundamental or clinical psychiatry, with a final written report.

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Advances: Neurobiology of Mental Disorders.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

Current theories on the neurobiological basis of most well known mental disorders (e.g. schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, dementia). Methods and strategies in research on genetic, physiological and biochemical factors in mental illness will be discussed. Discussion will also focus on the rationale for present treatment approaches and on promising new approaches.

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Advanced Studies in Addiction.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Critical assessment of research tools, reported data, and theoretical perspectives on drug addiction, with an emphasis on multi-factorial and inter-disciplinary approaches.

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