Undergraduate units and courses

MHS1101 Introduction to mental health and contemporary mental health needs

The Department of Psychiatry offers this elective, undergraduate Unit in Semesters 1 and 2 each year. This unit provides an overview of how mental illness is defined, identified and managed in the Australian mental health care system. The Unit covers different theories used to understand mental illness, how mental disorders are diagnosed, and the ways in which evidence-based treatments are used in the management of these disorders. Students will learn about the current model of Australian mental health care including the function of various disciplines, multi-disciplinary teams, the role of consumers and other stakeholders, ethical considerations, and how people can access professional care. The need to understand the lived-experience of consumers within the mental health care system is also covered in depth in this Unit. These concepts are applied using case studies focusing on different types of mental illnesses commonly seen in the community and managed by mental health professionals.

Enrolment in this 6 credit point Unit is subject to approval from the student’s own course coordinator or Department.

Refer to the Handbook for more information about the Unit.

Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (BMedSc/MD)

The Department of Psychiatry plays an integral role in delivering the curriculum of the Medical Science and Medicine degree across the various clinical sites in Victoria and Malaysia which are affiliated with Monash University.

Whilst psychiatry is a relatively new speciality, mental health is increasingly being recognised alongside physical health as being an integral part of general well being. The promotion of mental health and prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders is an essential component of medical training.  Students at Monash University begin in first year with units in ‘Health and Human Behaviour' and ‘Human Lifespan Development'. In second year of the undergraduate degree, psychiatry is taught alongside neurology. In fourth year, students will spend several weeks immersed in psychiatry in a clinical setting. These clinical placements are based at public and private psychiatric hospitals and community practices across metropolitan and rural Victoria and Malaysia.

Find out more about Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (BMedSc/MD).

Bachelor of Medical Science Honours - BMedSc(Hons)

The Bachelor of Medical Science Honours (BMedSc(Hons)) is an optional additional year of study, usually taken at the end of year three or four, for students already enrolled in the BMedSc/MD.

The year, which culminates in a minor thesis, provides the medical student with in-depth exposure to the research environment; working with and learning from incredibly experienced and supportive clinician-scientists. Skills sets integral to being a doctor - problem solving, trouble shooting, and initiative as well as a deeper understanding of the research environment are developed over the year.

On completion of their BMedSc(Hons), students will return to the clinical setting to finish their MBBS or Bachelor of Medical Science, Doctor of Medicine (a transition supported by the clinical bridging program). Students have reported feeling more confident and prepared for any future opportunities or challenges.

Find out more about the Bachelor of Medical Science Honours - BMedSc(Hons).

Psychiatry thesis project themes

For information on potential BMedSc(Hons) projects offered by the Department of Psychiatry, please refer to the Available research projects webpage.