Get Academic Help

We are committed to student success

Do you need academic support with your courses? We are here to help!

If you don’t know where to start, talk with your instructional team (instructors, teaching assistants or learning assistants), review the course syllabus, and explore the course site on CANVAS

Penn State Learning offers assistance in some chemistry, math, and statistics courses. Visit Penn State Learning in 220 Boucke Building (814-865-1841).

Resources list below can also help with your academic success. 

Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASTRO, PASTR)

The astronomy and astrophysics department office: 525 Davey Lab, 814-865-0410. 

The Astronomy Learning Center (TALC) is available for student use in 442 Davey. Teaching assistants (TAs) hold office hours there on weekdays for the introductory astronomy courses. Check the schedule on the door for times. 

Private tutors: a list of private tutors can be obtained from the department.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB, MICRB, BIOTC) 

The BMB department office: 107 Althouse Lab, 814-863-5487.

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

Private tutors: a list of private tutors is available through the biochemistry and molecular biology undergraduate office, in 107B Althouse. Tutors are not affiliated with the department.

Biology (BIOL)

The biology undergraduate office: 228 Ritenour Building, east wing; 814-865-2329; bioadvising@psu.edu.

A department student study space is available in 115 Mueller Lab.  Teaching assistant (TA) and learning assistant (LA) office hours for BIOL 110, 220W, 230W, and 240W are held in 115 Mueller.

Chemistry (CHEM)

The chemistry undergraduate office: 219 Whitmore Lab, 814-865-9391.

The chemistry resource room: The general chemistry resource room (for CHEM 101, 110, 111, 112, 113, and 130) is located in 001 Whitmore Lab, and the organic and other upper-level chemistry resource room (for CHEM 202, 203, 210, 212, 213W, and any upper division courses that might need space) is located in 205 Whitmore. TAs have office hours during the week. In the evenings (typically Sunday through Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.), tutors are available to help students in the 100- and 200-level CHEM courses.

Private tutors: a list of private tutors is kept in the chemistry undergraduate office in 219 Whitmore.

Additional resources:
For online course help, visit the “Undergraduate Chemistry Learning Resources” page.

Penn State Learning has guided study groups and tutoring services available for math courses. 

Forensic Science (FRNSC)

The forensics undergraduate office: 329 Whitmore Lab, 814-867-2465.

Math (MATH)

The math undergraduate office: 104 McAllister Building, 814-865-7528.

Private tutors: a list of private tutors is available through the math undergraduate office. 

Additional Resources: Penn State Learning has guided study groups and tutoring services available for math courses. 

Physics (PHYS)

The physics department office: 104 Davey Lab, 814-865-6108.

The Physics Academic Resource Center (PARC) is available for student use in 215 Osmond Lab. When the center is open, it is staffed by six to eight graduate students who are available to help with coursework for PHYS 211–214, 250, and 251, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday.

Statistics (STAT, DS)

The statistics department office: 326 Thomas Building, 814-865-1348. 

Private tutors: students can inquire with their instructor. 

Additional Resources: Penn State Learning has guided study groups and tutoring services available for math courses. 

At Penn State, we are committed to providing a welcoming, encouraging, and empowering environment for students with disabilities to ensure equal access, full participation, and reasonable accommodations for their academic pursuits.

Student Disability Resources (SDR) is responsible for coordinating support services, reasonable academic accommodations, and promoting disability awareness in the university community.

Students who are seeking services at Penn State must self-disclose the need for academic accommodations, auxiliary aids, and/or services to the Student Disability Resources office at the Penn State campus they are attending.

The Eberly College of Science Learning Assistant (LA) 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 is an undergraduate student who has been recruited and trained to facilitate learning in large or small group settings. Please contact Jackie Bortiatynski, director of the Grove Center for Excellence in Science Education, with any questions you may have regarding the LA Program.

The Eberly College of Science values the holistic health and wellbeing of our students. Below are several resources that can support students in managing physical and mental health.

Physical Health Resources

  • University Health Services is your nationally accredited campus health care service. Medical staff offers outpatient clinical care as well as lab, x-ray, physical therapy, pharmacy services, injuries and more. 
  • Recreation & Leisure Facilities and Program can help you join a team, meet individual fitness goals, relieve stress, meet new people, or learn a new skill. In addition, the Penn State Student Fee gives you access to most of our recreation spaces and programs. 

Mental Health Resources

  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offer a wide range of services for students including wellness and self-care options, group and individual counseling, crisis intervention, and psychiatry services.
  • Community Provider Locator can help student secures mental health care beyond Penn State. Check out the help center for the ins and outs of therapy, all the way from choosing a provider to paying for it.

Wellness Resources

  • Penn State Health Promotion and Wellness (HPW) cultivate a community that supports student success, well-being, and the pursuit of lifelong health. Our staff and peer health educators provide the following one-on-one services.  All services are free, unless otherwise indicated. 
    • Weekly wellness activities available to all students are listed here.
  • The Relaxation Room in the Wellness Suite, 020 Intramural Building features two biofeedback software programs on a desktop computer. You can practice breathing exercises designed to reduce your heart rate and stress level. In addition, you'll find coloring books, a zen sand garden, puzzles, light therapy boxes, and a comfortable space to help you take a break, relax, or study.
  • Use the “Manage Stress Workbook” from Penn State Student Affairs to develop stress management techniques.

Mindfulness

  • Building a mindfulness practice during your time at Penn State is a great opportunity to develop skills and tools to help manage stress and anxiety while simultaneously becoming increasingly aware of your own patterns, habits and preferences.  Use this link to find mindfulness resources to help get you started on your journey.

 

  • 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.