Instruction in psychiatry is given throughout the medical curriculum. Emphasis is on the teaching of psychiatry as a medical discipline, including the biological, social and psychological mechanisms and manifestations of psychiatric illness as well as psychological reactions to other illnesses. Psychiatric disorders are common and disabling illnesses. An explosion of knowledge resulting from research in neuroscience, genetics and epidemiology is leading to exciting advances in understanding and treating these disorders. Our department is heavily involved in this research, and our didactic curriculum integrates current clinical information with research advances to help students develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to recognize these illnesses and understand the basic principles of treatment.