Factual knowledge of human behavior and acceptance of its variations and limitations will help to facilitate the delivery of medical care. Behavioral Science topics include abnormal psychology, normal and aberrant growth and development, human sexuality, medical sociology, learning theory, system theory, psychoanalytic theory, counseling theory, and neurobiology. Multiple broad-based determinants of behavior are presented. The importance of understanding human behavior to the practicing physician is emphasized throughout the course.

The student is taught basic signs, symptoms, etiology, and management of psychiatric diseases. The clerkship includes exposure to adult inpatient and outpatient services, child and adolescent facilities, as well as consultation-liaison. The student becomes familiar with other psychiatric facilities also, including Searcy Hospital, Mobile Mental Health Center, and other community agencies providing varying forms of psychosocial services. Working with patients' families, where possible, is an integral part of all services. Another integral part of the clerkship is emergency psychiatry, since psychiatric illness is remarkably common in patients who seek care in the emergency room.

To be determined.

To be prepared by the student in conjunction with the Course Director and approved by the Vice Dean before course can be added to schedule. This course is designed to offer students and faculty/clinical faculty an opportunity to develop electives which are not offered in the Electives Manual. Such an elective may be made permanent and printed in the next edition of the Elective Manual at the request of the Course Director and with the approval of the Curriculum Committee. At the discretion of the Vice Dean, this elective may count as the required "in-house" elective.