Fundamentals of Behavioral Neuroscience Behavioral neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field that combines approaches and knowledge from psychology, biology, and chemistry to further our understanding of human and non-human animal behavior.   In this course, you will study the interrelationships among elements of the nervous systems, co-functioning bodily systems, and behavioral output such as emotions, sex, memory, consciousness, sleep, and language.  You will be given an opportunity to  apply your knowledge from NSCI 0251 of the nervous system at the micro and macro levels and will revisit the basic concepts of behavioral genetics and psychopharmacology.  This cumulative knowledge base will serve as your foundation for advanced study of neural systems and their relative roles in progressively more complex behaviors such as basic reflexes, motivation, rational thought, neural disorders, and therapeutic efficacy.

Clinical Neuroscience In this course we will examine human and animal models of clinical problems of the nervous system to understand their underlying causes and emerging treatments. Readings and discussions will include foundational writings and primary literature on cutting-edge medical research in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinsonism, dementias, mood disorders, and epilepsy, as well as regenerative medicine and deep brain stimulation. Students will lead in-depth class discussions, design their own research synthesis projects, and present on their conclusions on recent ground-breaking findings in the field. (NSCI 0251; open to neuroscience majors; others by waiver).

Neuroeconomics Neuroscience, when combined with economics and psychology, creates new models that help us understand how we make decisions. Our goal is to begin exploring the biological factors that lead to behavioral economic phenomena and answer important questions like: What makes us cooperate even with strangers? Why do we buy lottery tickets knowing we almost certainly will lose our money? In this course, we will examine the neural basis of strategic choice, trust and competition, motivations, neurorepresentations of reward and value, and evolution of irrational economic behavior. Major concepts will be presented with examples from human brain-imaging studies (fMRI, EEG) and animal behavioral models. (BIOL0145 or PSYC0105 or CHEM0103 or equivalent)

Biobehavioral Addiction Addiction is a pervasive disorder affecting society on a global scale. To understand this complex disorder, addictions are studied from the basic neural mechanisms, such as how neurons respond to addictive substances, to psychological factors and how they protect or increase risk. In this course we will examine the principles of substance addictions, emerging behavioral addictions (internet/gaming, problem-gambling), and underlying mechanisms that drive addiction. Topics include neural pathways of addictive substances, brain functional and structural changes, theories of motivation, neuropsychological risk factors, and modern prevention and treatment. Psychology and neuroscience students will bring their relative expertise to the class for thoughtful review of the literature.

Psychological Statistics This course will examine statistical methods used in the behavioral and biological sciences. Students will learn the logic underlying statistical analysis, focusing primarily on inferential techniques. They also will become familiar with the application and interpretation of statistics in psychological empirical research, including the use of computer software for conducting and interpreting statistical analyses. (PSYC 0105; open to psychology and neuroscience majors, others by waiver. Not open to students who have taken  MATH 0116 (aka STAT 0116) or STAT 0201 or ECON 0210)

Zu Zhai

Reviews and ratings for Zu Zhai at Middlebury College.Zu Zhai teaches Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical Neuroscience, Neuroeconomics and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Zu Zhai good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Zhai is a polarizing professor but is highly knowledgeable about the field and is an enthusiastic lecturer. I felt legitimately engaged during his lectures and really enjoyed the material. I will say that, sometimes, it felt like Zhai was a bit stuck in his own ways and ideas about the field. 

Professor Zhai is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the content. He isn't the most outwardly friendly, but he is always available to answer questions and has his moments. For the most part, he is strictly business. The course had weekly video responses that were graded on completion, where exam like questions were provided and feedback was given in video format. There are three case studies that you have to do for lab, and there is a large lab report towards the end of the semester. Start that early! The exams were long, but - and he will say this to no end - everything on the exam is stuff that has been lectured on. There will not be any suprises from the textbook or anything like that. If you can get down the content on the slides, and understand it enough to apply it, you can get a good grade on exams. 

NSCI 252 definitely taught me the fundamental skills and knowledge to explore neuroscience. Professor Zhai is super knowledgeable and passionate about teaching. He is fair grader, accommodating, and very clear. All the experiments are interesting. I am glad that I took this course with him. 