Current instructor
Original student reviews · all captured dates
Dr. C is possibly the best professor I have had. Her teaching is stellar. She is kind and engages with the students well which facilitates learning of difficult concepts. Exams are hard but fair. She offers office hours that are a blast, and provides many study resources. Her material is interesting, and she clearly wants students to succeed.Rate My Professors ↗
I was really intimidated by this course as a conservation bio major with less preparation for a microbiology course than other students. I felt that every lecture was engaging (although often dense) and Melissa had a way of communicating everything in a clear manner. I now love this subject which is not what I was expecting going into it.Rate My Professors ↗
She is a great lecturer and very sweet and wholesome. The tests are hard, but fair. If you know the material and study, you will ace the test.Rate My Professors ↗
(This is actually for MIRCO 150). Melissa is very knowledgeable and an all around wonderful person. I genuinely feel like I learned a lot from her class and from her personally. The only thing I didn't like was that you never quite knew what exactly was due. You just kinda have to play it by ear and email for clarification quite often.Rate My Professors ↗
Bad lecturerRate My Professors ↗
The lectures are so random. I don't even know why she organizes her lecture like this. I don't believe most of people can learn from her lecture.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
A first-year seminar introducing major questions in microbiome study, foundational research skills, and department resources.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2024: 3.93 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=7 letter grades); Fall 2024: 3.90 GPA, 95.2% A/AB (n=63 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.80 GPA, 88.0% A/AB (n=50 letter grades). Includes jointly taught sections.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2024–Fall 2025MICROBIO 299 is an independent study course allowing students to conduct research in microbiology under faculty guidance.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Fall 2025 · limited sampleCovers the basic biology of microorganisms, including their structure, function, physiology, genetics, ecology, diversity, and evolution.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Melissa Christopherson receives polarized reviews, with some students praising her kindness, passion, and helpfulness while others criticize her lecturing skills and unclear expectations. Early reviews noted she was a newer professor who improved over time, but recent feedback highlights significant disagreement regarding her teaching effectiveness and exam design. While some find her engaging and supportive, others find her lectures disorganized and tests cryptic.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026MICROBIO 699 is an independent study course allowing students to conduct advanced microbiology research under faculty guidance.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026 · limited sample| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | MICROBIO 150 | Microbiomes and Microbiology - First-year Seminar |
| Fall 2026 | MICROBIO 299 | Independent Study |
| Fall 2026 | MICROBIO 303 | Biology of Microorganisms |
| Fall 2026 | MICROBIO 699 | Special Problems |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
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