Fundamentals of Biological Psychiatry

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
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Area/Catalogue
BIOL 3047
Course ID icon
Course ID
205402
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Medicine
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Catharine Jawahar
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Course level
3
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No

Course overview

This course aims to convey fundamental knowledge and understanding of Biological Psychiatry. Biological Psychiatry represents a multidisciplinary approach towards understanding psychiatric disease with input from the fields of genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, and neurobiology. The course will begin with material introducing the field of Biological Psychiatry and will then go on to elucidate some of the more prevalent psychiatric disorders affecting Australia (both indigenous populations and otherwise) and the rest of the world. Subsequent material will then cover the scientific approaches and techniques commonly used in the field of Biological Psychiatry to investigate the causes, the underlying biological mechanisms, as well as potential therapeutic interventions relevant for psychiatric disorders.

Course learning outcomes

  • To provide introductory material that promotes a broad knowledge and understanding of contemporary Biological Psychiatry.
  • To emphasise the importance of Biological Psychiatry as an interdisciplinary approach towards understanding, and eventually treating, psychiatric disease
  • To develop knowledge and understanding of some of the major psychiatric disorders affecting Australia and other Western societies
  • To promote an appreciation of the complexity and heterogeneity of psychiatric disorders and how this impacts upon the diagnosis and treatment of patients
  • To provide insight into some of the major research approaches and techniques currently being employed to further our understanding of Biological Psychiatry
  • To emphasise the importance of research designed to obtain findings that can be translated to the clinic with the potential to make a real-world difference
  • To promote an awareness of some of the ethical issues that impact upon the field of Biological Psychiatry
  • To promote core attributes that facilitate high quality scientific research including the ability to find, organise, evaluate, synthesise and communicate scientific information both independently and within a team

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 04/09/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 21/08/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 18/09/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 16/10/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 53279
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 25
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
5 Aug - 23 Sep Wednesday 10:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Engineering North, N218
14 Oct - 11 Nov Wednesday 10:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Engineering North, N218
Class number
Class number 54914
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 28
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Aug - 22 Sep Tuesday 10:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, S336A-B
13 Oct - 10 Nov Tuesday 10:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Helen Mayo South, S336A-B

Prerequisite(s)

  • must have completed 1 of HBIO2004 Foundations of Human Neuroanatomy (UoA)/HLTH2022 Essential Understanding of Disease and Treatment

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • must not have completed PSYCHIAT3200 Fundamentals of Biological Psychiatry at the University of Adelaide

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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.