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Need academic support? There are several paths to follow

Ritenour: the lower level of the east wing of Ritenour Building has a dedicated collaborative learning center for students in the Eberly College of Science! Smart boards, white boards, small collaboration rooms, and space is available throughout the day and on weekends.

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics: The Astronomy Learning Center (TALC) is available for student use in 442 Davey. TAs hold office hours there on weekdays for the introductory astronomy courses. Check the schedule on the door for times.
  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: A student lounge and computer lab is in 101 South Frear Lab and is available to all department majors. It offers an area to study alone or with classmates.
  • Biology: A department student study space is available in 115 Mueller lab. Course coordinator and lab TA office hours for BIOL 110, 220W, 230W, and 240W are located in 115 Mueller lab.
  • Chemistry: The Chemistry Resource Room is located in 205 Whitmore lab. TAs hold office hours there on weekdays. Evening tutorial sessions for the CHEM 100-level and 200-level courses are from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m., Sundays through Thursdays.
  • Physics: The Physics Academic Resource Center (PARC) will not be available during the 2020 fall semester.



    When the center is open it is staffed by 6-8 graduate students that are available to help with coursework for PHYS 001, 211-214, 250, and 251 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Sundays through Thursdays. The Physics Academic Resource Center (PARC) will not be available during the 2020 fall semester.

The Eberly College of Science Learning Assistant Program encompasses a group of faculty and motivated students who all have the common goal of enhancing the learning experience in science and math classes. A Learning Assistant (LA) is an undergraduate student who has been recruited and trained to facilitate learning in large or small group settings.  Please contact LA Program Coordinator Dr. Jennelle Malcos (jlh608@psu.edu, 814-867-3338) with any questions you may have in regards to the LA program.

General learning assistance: If you don’t know where to start, start with your instructors, course syllabus, course site on CANVAS, and Penn State Learning. Visit Penn State Learning at http://pennstatelearning.psu.edu/ and in 220 Boucke Building (814-865-1841).

Astronomy and Astrophysics Resources (ASTRO, PASTR)

The Astronomy Learning Center (TALC): Office hours for faculty/TA assistance are also known as TALC. Astronomy TAs hold open office hours for students in all introductory astronomy courses Monday to Friday in room 442 Davey.

Private Tutors: A list of private tutors can be obtained from the Department

The Astronomy and Astrophysics Department Office: 525 Davey Lab, 814-865-0410

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Microbiology, and Biotechnology Resources (BMB, MICRB, BIOTC)

Undergraduate Lounge: There is an undergraduate lounge and computer lab in 101 S. Frear Lab, which available to all department majors and offers an area to study alone or with classmates

The BMB Department Office: 107 Althouse Lab, 814-863-5487

Biology Resources (BIOL)

Introductory courses: BIOL 110, BIOL 220W, BIOL 230W, & BIOL 240WoBIOL 110 & BIOL 240W use Mastering Biology for homework assignments (info on CANVAS)

All introductory courses in Biology use the e-Testing Facility for exams (104 Pollock)

The Biology Undergraduate Office: 2nd Floor Ritenour Building, East Wing, 814-865-2329

Chemistry Resources (CHEM)

The Chemistry Resource Room: Located in room 205 Whitmore – TAs have office hours during the week. In the evenings (typically Sunday through Thursday from 6:30 – 10:30pm), tutors are available to help students in the 100- and 200-level CHEM courses

Online course help: Visit the Undergraduate Chemistry Learning Resources page.

Private Tutors: A list of private tutors is kept in the Chemistry Undergraduate Office

The Chemistry Undergraduate Office: 219 Whitmore, 814-865-9391

Forensic Science Resources (FRNSC)

Forensic Science Club: Visit the Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/PSUFrnscClub

The Forensics Undergraduate Office: 329 Whitmore, 814-865-2609

Math Resources (MATH)

Online course help: Visit science.psu.edu/math/undergraduate/courses: For each course, there is a link to see practice problems, sample exams, available help, etc.

ALEKS Prep Material: science.psu.edu/math/undergraduate/courses/aleks

Penn State Learning: Guided Study Groups and Tutoring Services are available. http://pennstatelearning.psu.edu/math-study-groups and http://pennstatelearning.psu.edu/tutoring/mathematics

Private Tutoring: A list of private tutors is available through the Math Undergraduate Office

The Math Undergraduate Office: 104 McAllister, 814-865-7528

Physics Resources (PHYS)

Each Introductory Physics Course (PHYS 211 - 214, 250 and 251) has lists of resources available within its Canvas class. These include, for all courses, Office Hours of the instructor(s) and Teaching Assistants. All courses also give ways to contact the instructor(s) and TAs. Some courses also have Guided Study Groups (provided by Penn State Learning) and forums such as Piazza and Discussion Boards in Canvas.

Statistics Resources (STAT)

Tutoring and Guided Study Groups: Listed at http://pennstatelearning.psu.edu/tutoring/statistics

The Statistics Department Office: 326 Thomas, 814-865-1348

  • Penn State Learning: Find on-campus collaborative learning via peer tutoring, guided study groups, and team project work spaces. Support is available for some lower level subject areas including biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, statistics, and astronomy.
  • Tech Tutors: Turn to students trained by ITS Training Services who can assist students with technology-related assignments.
  • Disability Services: Pursue reasonable accommodations and services provided by The Office for Disability Services for students with disabilities who are enrolled at University Park.
  • iStudy for Success: Read through tutorials designed to advance students' knowledge and skills in areas that can promote overall academic achievement.
  • Emergency Support Services for Students: Determine how Student Care and Advocacy can advocate for your missed classes in emergency situations.