This was an amazing class! Material is absolutely difficult (it builds on biochem and ochem a lot) and it's fast-paced, but prof Thomas makes it interesting and he is always willing to help you if you're stuck on a concept. So long as you study often and ask for help when needed you will be fine.Rate My Professors ↗
Current instructor
Michael Thomas
What students say
Original student reviews · all captured dates
Was very worried about the difficulty of the class, but after finishing the class I can say it was one of the most rewarding ones I have taken. He is incredibly knowledgeable about the field as a whole and is pleasant to talk to. His office hours are a godsend for any confusion. A little intimidating, but genuinely caring and wants you to do well.Rate My Professors ↗
Attendance is not recquired but strongly encouraged to keep up with heavy class content and gauge important topics. While content was in-depth, professor was very understanding and took many liberties to facilitate a comfortable learning environment and prime students for exam content. Lectures can be dry but rewarding. Don't use AI.Rate My Professors ↗
Essentially a graduate-level biochem course. Yet he made central metabolism very easy to memorize. Enjoy the beauty of chemical logic! Also, prepare to learn A LOT, as this course moves very fast. It's also best if you have taken Chem345, as this course has significant emphasis on ochem. Exams are usually easier than what's expected in lecture.Rate My Professors ↗
Great prof, very informative lectures. This class is tough so be prepared to study tons. Most of the grade is made up of exams and problem sets. ...Only this semester half the class decided to use AI on the first problem set so now it's all exams! Um yeah if you're gonna rely on AI for this class pls don't take it so ppl who care won't be punished!Rate My Professors ↗
Professor Thomas is a fantastic professor. He explains very difficult concepts well and his exams are very fair. They are challenging, but fair based on class material. I have struggled in this class, but he is very easy to talk to and explains concepts well when you need clarification.Rate My Professors ↗
Personal experiences, not a representative survey. Profile matching and captured coverage are shown in the source details.
Classes with Michael Thomas
CHEM 980 is a graduate-level seminar where students engage in research discussions facilitated by faculty within their research group.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Research
1–15 creditsCHEM 990 is a research course where students conduct supervised research projects with individual faculty members.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Independent Study
1–3 creditsMICROBIO 299 is an independent study course allowing students to conduct research in microbiology under faculty guidance.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Spring 2022: 4.00 GPA, 100.0% A/AB (n=1 letter grades).
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Fall 2025 · limited sampleCovers the biochemistry and physiology of microbial processes.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Recent recorded grades — Fall 2024: 3.25 GPA, 50.8% A/AB (n=63 letter grades); Fall 2025: 3.26 GPA, 53.2% A/AB (n=47 letter grades); Spring 2026: 3.00 GPA, 43.5% A/AB (n=46 letter grades). Includes jointly taught sections.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026Senior Honors Thesis
2–3 creditsMICROBIO 681 is an individual study course for majors completing theses for Honors degrees.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Senior Honors Thesis
2–4 creditsMICROBIO 682 is the second semester of individual study for majors completing theses for Honors degrees, arranged with a faculty member.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleSenior Thesis
2 creditsMICROBIO 691 is an individual study course for majors completing senior theses.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Senior Thesis
2 creditsMICROBIO 692 is a second-semester individual study course for microbiology majors completing their senior theses under faculty supervision.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sampleSpecial Problems
1–4 creditsMICROBIO 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 sampleIndependent Study
1–9 creditsMICROBIO 899 is an independent study course allowing students to conduct research in biological science under faculty direction.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Research
1–9 creditsMICROBIO 990 is a research course involving full lab and literature review of a microbiology problem, leading to thesis preparation and publication.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
No recorded grade history
Recorded teaching history
Explore courses taught by this instructor →Browse recorded courses
| Term | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | CHEM 980 | Seminar: Review of Current Research |
| Fall 2026 | CHEM 990 | Research |
| Fall 2026 | MICROBIO 299 | Independent Study |
| Fall 2026 | MICROBIO 526 | Physiology of Microorganisms |
| Fall 2026 | MICROBIO 681 | Senior Honors Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | MICROBIO 682 | Senior Honors Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | MICROBIO 691 | Senior Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | MICROBIO 692 | Senior Thesis |
| Fall 2026 | MICROBIO 699 | Special Problems |
| Fall 2026 | MICROBIO 899 | Independent Study |
| Fall 2026 | MICROBIO 990 | Research |
Teaching history may be incomplete. Course pages contain course-specific feedback and citations.
Instructor identity & provenance
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