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    Psychopathology: Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness
    Online Program

    Psychopathology: Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness

    by Brown Pre-College Programs

    Brown’s psychology course connects brain biology with mental illness, using real-life case studies to explore symptoms, counseling interventions, and treatment approaches.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Psychopathology Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Completing grades 9-12

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $3,364

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    Online

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    BiologyNeurosciencePsychology
    Language: English
    Sessions / cadence: ~15 hours/week; daily study; optional live sessions
    Assessment style: Coursework and participation; no formal grades
    Certificate: Digital certificate of completion
    Latest verified cycle: 2026
    Instructor support: Virtual office hours; personalized feedback
    Required orientation: ~3 hours in preceding week

    Psychopathology Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness summary

    Brown’s course examines mental illness through both brain biology and clinical psychology, connecting biological mechanisms with symptoms and treatment approaches.

    Students work through instructor lectures, multimedia resources, and case studies drawn from real-life clients. Mostly asynchronous learning is supported by optional live sessions and instructor office hours.

    It suits students who want to test an interest in psychology and neuroscience and are comfortable managing their own study routine.

    What is Psychopathology: Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness?

    This Brown University Pre-College course explores how biology, genetics, and environment shape brain function, behavior, and mental health. It connects psychology and neurobiology to give students both a biological foundation and a clinical perspective on mental illness.

    Study begins with the brain’s cellular, chemical, hormonal, anatomical, and physiological systems before moving into counseling interventions. Instructor lectures, multimedia resources, and real-life client case studies help students consider symptoms and treatment options in a mostly asynchronous online setting.

    Why Succeed highlights Psychopathology Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness

    • The course connects biological mechanisms with clinical perspectives, giving students a coherent introduction to mental health study.

    • Real-life client case studies encourage students to apply ideas when considering symptoms and treatments.

    • The learning outcomes explicitly include accurate, respectful discussion of mental health disorders.

    • Virtual office hours and personalized feedback provide support alongside independent study.

    Who is Psychopathology Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness for?

    Best for

    Students curious about both biology and psychology who want to explore mental illness through brain science and case studies.

    Not ideal if

    You want college credit or a timetable built around required daily live teaching.

    Is Psychopathology Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness worth it?

    The course is worth considering if you want to understand how biological and psychological explanations fit together. Case studies and treatment discussions offer a useful way to test whether further study in psychology, neuroscience, or psychotherapy interests you.

    Its value depends on using the coursework and instructor support actively. The substantial fee deserves comparison with other options, especially because the course carries no college credit and Brown does not frame Pre-College participation as an undergraduate admissions pathway.

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    A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $3,364; includes Online course instruction and activities., Instructor lectures and multimedia resources., Virtual instructor office hours., Virtual access to University Library resources., Digital certificate upon successful completion..

    Dates and time commitment

    2 weeks; ~15 hours/week; daily study; optional live sessions.

    Provider details

    Review the Brown Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    What the student gains

    Potential output: Successful completion earns a digital certificate of completion.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    Check how online sessions are supervised, how mentor communication works, and what support route exists if the student needs help.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does Psychopathology Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness need?

    Effort level

    Moderate to high, with approximately 15 hours of coursework weekly.

    Best started

    Allow four to six weeks before the next application deadline for the essay, grade records, and any English testing.

    Main challenge

    Managing independent coursework while discussing complex mental health topics precisely.

    Typical preparation

    • Draft an original 250-500-word application essay and gather both required academic years of grades.

    • Arrange English proficiency testing early if it applies to you.

    • Reserve daily study time and complete the approximately three-hour Canvas orientation during the preceding week.

    Useful if

    You want to test your interest in psychology and neurobiology.

    What do students do on Psychopathology Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness?

    You connect biological explanations of brain function with clinical approaches to mental illness. Lectures, multimedia resources, and real-life case studies support discussion of symptoms, interventions, and treatments.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Complete the required Canvas orientation before the course begins.

    2. 2

      Study the brain systems involved in cognition, emotions, and behavior during the first week.

    3. 3

      Explore counseling interventions and real-life client case studies during the second week.

    4. 4

      Discuss current and historical treatment approaches and likely options for case studies.

    5. 5

      Use optional live sessions and instructor office hours to deepen your understanding.

    Psychopathology Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Application deadline

    15 May 2026

    General Brown Pre-College application deadline.

    Reference date

    Psychopathology: Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness - Course 10028

    29 June-10 July 2026

    Two-week online section; optional live times announced at course start.

    Reference date

    Psychopathology: Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness - Course 10059

    13-24 July 2026

    Two-week online section; optional live times announced at course start.

    Reference date

    Applications open

    14 January 2026

    2026 reference cycle.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Completing grades 9-12.

    • Ages 14-18 by 14 June 2026.

    • No prerequisite courses required.

    • Interest in biology and psychology strongly recommended.

    • Strong English proficiency required.

    • Applicable international applicants need TOEFL iBT or Duolingo results.

    How much does Psychopathology Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness cost?

    Program fee

    $3,364 — One two-week online course in 2026.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $80 — Non-refundable; eligible applicants may request a waiver.
    • Enrollment deposit: $500 — Required before course enrollment; normally non-refundable.
    • Sibley Scholarships: Need-based aid — Restricted eligibility; first-applied-first-awarded funding.
    • Other scholarships: PPSD; partner; employee-dependent — Separate school, nomination, or employment criteria apply.

    What's included

    Online course instruction and activities., Instructor lectures and multimedia resources., Virtual instructor office hours., Virtual access to University Library resources., Digital certificate upon successful completion.

    How to apply to Psychopathology Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness

    1. 1

      Create one applicant account through Brown’s official admissions page and Student Portal.

    2. 2

      Complete the application form and an original 250-500-word essay.

    3. 3

      Upload current and previous academic-year grades in English.

    4. 4

      Pay the $80 application fee or request an eligible waiver.

    5. 5

      Submit English proficiency results when required and any recommendation you elect or are asked to provide.

    6. 6

      Monitor the portal and applicant email for additional requests and the admission decision.

    7. 7

      After admission, confirm your course choice before paying the $500 deposit and completing separate enrollment.

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    Learning format

    The course runs through Canvas with mostly asynchronous content, daily engagement, and optional live sessions. Plan for approximately 15 hours of coursework weekly, plus an approximately three-hour orientation in the preceding week.

    Optional live session times are announced at the start of the course.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Aisling Dugan and Joseph Vaughan teach both sections.

    • Virtual instructor office hours support questions about content and assignments.

    • Optional live sessions supplement asynchronous coursework.

    • Brown Pre-College Online offers personalized feedback.

    • Writing Center and English language support appointments are available.

    Time-zone considerations

    • Most coursework can be completed on your own schedule.
    • Optional live times are announced when the course begins.
    • Mostly asynchronous courses offer optional live sessions or their recordings.
    • Daily Canvas engagement and approximately 15 weekly study hours remain expected.

    Tech requirements

    • Computer with a reliable internet connection.

    • Webcam and microphone, built-in or external.

    • Word processing software, such as Word or Google Docs.

    • PDF reader, such as Adobe Acrobat.

    • Zoom and access to your Brown Canvas account.

    Assessment style

    Learning centers on coursework, case-study analysis, and active participation without formal grades or college credit.

    • Analyze case studies and discuss likely treatment options.
    • Complete instructor-required readings, assignments, projects, and assessments.
    • Engage with classmates and instructors throughout the course.
    • Successful course completion determines certificate eligibility.

    Portfolio and outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    Successful completion earns a digital certificate of completion.

    Psychopathology Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness FAQs

    The course connects psychology and neurobiology to explain mental health disorders. Study moves from brain biology to counseling interventions, real-life case studies, and current and historical treatments.

    No prerequisite courses are required. An interest in biology and psychology is strongly recommended.

    Both sections are mostly asynchronous, with optional live sessions. Live session times are announced at the start of the course.

    Plan for approximately 15 hours per week and log into Canvas at least once each day. A required orientation takes approximately three hours during the week before the course.

    This is a non-credit course. Successful completion earns a digital certificate; the two-week online course does not qualify for a Course Performance Report, which requires at least three weeks online.

    No. Students apply to Brown Pre-College, then complete a separate course enrollment step after admission and payment of the non-refundable $500 deposit.

    Brown expects students to complete most of the application independently. Parents can help with planning, and many required enrollment forms include sections for both students and parents or guardians.

    You need a computer with reliable internet, a webcam and microphone, word processing software, a PDF reader, and Zoom. Course materials and communication use Canvas.

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Scholarships | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Handbook of Pre-College Policies | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Brown Pre-College Online | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Financial Policies and Payment Information | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Application Checklist | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Apply | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Brown Pre-College Online
    • Program Dates and Costs | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • 2026 Program Costs: Breakdown of Fees
    • Psychopathology: Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness - Pre-College Course Catalog"

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)

    • Course content checked

    • Session dates cross-checked

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Online fee verified

    • Certificate criteria checked

    • Application and refund policies reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.