The Poorvu Center provides QR and Science tutoring for every field in Yale College. Many STEM courses—including nearly all courses in Computer Science—have undergraduates who work directly in the course as Course-Based-Peer-Tutors (CBPTs) or Undergraduate Learning Assistants (ULAs).
If your course does not have undergraduate tutors or ULAs, or if you need more help, you can find drop-in hours for many QR & Science topics (but not Computer Science and S&DS) with the Residential College Math and Science tutors. Students who need more individual attention in any STEM course can apply for small-group tutoring (additional details below).
Course-Based Peer Tutors
Course-Based Peer Tutors (CBPTs) are undergraduates, selected by your professor, who have usually taken the course before. They offer students in the course small-group tutoring and can often work individually with students who need extra time.
Undergraduate Learning Assistants (ULAs), like CBPTs, are undergraduates who work closely with the course professor and provide group and 1-1 tutoring, but ULAs also grade and, in some courses, lead discussion sections. Check your syllabus or ask your professor to see if you have CBPTs or ULAs available to help you.
Drop-In Residential College Math and Science Tutors
Residential College Mathematics and Science Tutors only work with Yale College Undergraduates. Take advantage of the academic resources available to you at Yale by dropping-in to a tutoring session at any residential college where tutors have been scheduled - no appointment is needed. Tutoring is available in Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Engineering, Geology & Geophysics, Mathematics, MB&B, Physics, and Statistics. Tutors may be able to help in areas outside their immediate specialization.
About Residential College STEM Tutoring
- Early! Get to know the various tutors before you feel like you really need help.
- When you are struggling with a concept
- When you are trying to assess how deeply you comprehend the material
- When you feel stuck on problem-solving
- To talk to the tutors about research opportunities
- To talk to the tutors about graduate school or careers in their field of study
To get the most out of your time with a tutor, prepare ahead for the session. The tutor will ask what you want to work on, so come knowing what you want to accomplish with the tutor. You might come because you want…
- To work through a question on a problem set
- To review for a test
- To talk through a concept you covered in lecture, lab, or a reading
- To organize class material and create study tools
For updates on tutoring schedules send an email to kailasnath.purushothaman@yale.edu with the word “subscribe” in the subject line. Notifications will be sent to keep you informed about changes.
To be removed from our list, please send an email with the word “unsubscribe” in the subject line.
Requesting Additional Help with STEM
Yale College students who are experiencing academic difficulty are eligible for up to ten hours of tutoring per course each semester through the program if they do not already have ULAs or course-based peer tutors. These sessions will often occur in groups of two or three (rather than one-on-one). For eligibility purposes, academic difficulty is defined as currently earning a grade of “C” or below in a course.
If you think you meet these criteria, you should see your residential college dean to request a tutor. Assignment of tutors is made by the Program Coordinator and, whenever possible, will be made within one week of receipt of the application. Students and tutors are notified of the assignment by email and should contact the tutor as soon as they receive the email assignment. Sessions are scheduled by the tutor and student at a mutually convenient time and place, although all students must be tutored on campus.
For more information, you can also download the tutoring request form. Note that you will need a signature from your professor or teaching fellow to confirm that you are experiencing academic difficulty.
We’re here to help!
Reach out to the Poorvu Center team if you have any questions or to learn more about our programs.