Splash Biography

Mental illness is a relevant topic, with almost a quarter of Americans suffering from a mental disorder. This course will act as a survey course of the biology and causes of various psychiatric disorders, as well as tips for dealing with a mental health crisis from a licensed crisis counselor. This is an open class for anyone with the interest. Note: If you took this course with Ajay Krishnan in a previous semester, it is advised to take a different course as much of the content overlaps. Trigger warning: upsetting materials related to mental illness may be discussed, student discretion is advised

Much of research in fields like zoology, integrative biology, and animal science focuses on conservation (humans helping animals), with not as much working the other way (how animals help humans). This survey course helps to examine how animals are currently influencing research in human medicine and the importance of studying the natural world. From using venom as a morphine substitute to uncovering insomnia, the animal kingdom has pharmacological wonders for us to unpack. Note: If you took this course with Ajay Krishnan in a previous Berkeley Splash, it is advised to take a different course as much of the content overlaps.