Zu Zhai

This course is necessary for the neuroscience major, but is very hard and memorization heavy when taken with Professor Zhai. There is a strong focus on neuroanatomy, the lectures are very long and dense, there is little time for clarification when students have questions, and the exams take hours. We were expected to come for 3-4 hours on a Friday for the exam within a 7 hour block provided but I had two other classes during that block plus needed lunch meaning I instead had to give up my Saturdays in order to take the exams and pass the class. Professor Zhai is very smart, but didn't seem to understand that his method was not conducive to everyones learning and students had other classes on top of his we had to do work for.

This course is necessary for the neuroscience major, but is very hard and memorization heavy when taken with Professor Zhai. There is a strong focus on neuroanatomy, the lectures are very long and dense, there is little time for clarification when students have questions, and the exams take hours. We were expected to come for 3-4 hou …Read more

Neuroeconomics has probably been my favorite neuro elective to date. If you have any interest in the field of econ, the overlap with neuroscience is very interesting. The exams were fair, and reflect exactly what is on the class slides. The presentation was fun and engaging as well! Overall, great class and would take again in a heartbeat.

This was my favorite class I've taken at Middlebury. Professor Zhai is so knowledgeable- I gained so much from this class. I highly recommend it to any neuro major. I not only came out of the class with a clear understanding of the science behind almost every class of addictive drug, but the historical context behind the drugs and a greater comprehension of addiction and its implications. There were a few exams in this class which were writing heavy but fair. There was also a final paper on a drug of choice.

This was my favorite class I've taken at Middlebury. Professor Zhai is so knowledgeable- I gained so much from this class. I highly recommend it to any neuro major. I not only came out of the class with a clear understanding of the science behind almost every class of addictive drug, but the historical context behind the drugs and a …Read more