MEL 8664: Psychiatric Research

Drs. C. Santana, Y. Bannon, Brian Giunta, Jamie Fernandez, Gabriel de Erausquin, and Faculty

This elective is designed to enable the advanced student to become acquainted with the methodologies of behavioral medicine in basic neuroscience and their application in psychiatry and medicine. Opportunities exist in both basic science and clinical research areas including molecular genetics, neuroimmunology and cognitive medicine. Each student will participate in an ongoing research project and/or an individual tutorial during this time under faculty supervision and review and will evaluate the literature that pertains to his/her chosen topic.

Objectives

1. Increase the knowledge of psychiatry and behavioral medicine in an area of particular interest to the student
2. Become familiar with research methodology
3. Gain an enhanced perspective of the role of behavioral principles in the practice of psychiatry and medicine

Evaluation

The research supervisor will evaluate the student’s research performance according to the elective objectives. The student will also be expected to prepare a written summary of the research project including an appropriate review of the relevant literature and a description of the student's research activities. In addition, the student will provide the elective supervisor with a written critique of his/her elective experience.

Students must obtain permission from the department (the Director of Undergraduate Education in psychiatry or Faculty supervisor for the rotation) PRIOR to scheduling this elective.