STEM Resources

Tips for success: 

• Study to understand rather than just memorizing: Trying to understand a concept will give you the ability to apply your knowledge to a wide range of problems. 
• Do the assigned readings and practice problems in the textbook: This will help reinforce the concepts you’ve learned and assess your understanding. 
• Form study groups with other students in your class: In a study group, you can help each other understand tough concepts and quiz each other on the material.
• Attend office hours: Attending office hours gives you the opportunity to ask questions and clear up any confusion on concepts taught in class. 
• Repetition when reviewing material: This is a part of the retrieval practice. Reviewing material multiple times will give you the ability to retain the information better and retrieve it during an exam.

Drop-In Tutoring Hours

• Wednesdays, 11am-1pm in 100 Bay State Road, Room 545 (BI107)
• Sundays, 3-5pm in 100 Bay State Road, Room 555 (BI107, BI213)

Student to student

Former LAs from BI107/108 hold review sessions prior to exams, offer open office hours, and have lecture notes available.

Visit your course website for more info or by contact the Student to Student tutor listed on your course’s Blackboard site. Email the Intro Bio Office with any questions: introbio@bu.edu.

Bio Learning Assistants

Biology Learning Assistants are former students who took the course and performed well, making them a valuable resource for students. They are in BI105/107/108/116, BI210/211/218, and BI315. Most co-teach laboratory sections with a graduate student or staff member, while some also assist faculty with lecture.

Tips for success:

• Do all of the assigned problems: The single most important thing you can do is to diligently work out answers to as many problems in the textbook as you can. Completing the assigned problems and recording your work in your problem notebook will provide extra practice with the material. While these problems will not be collected, a good portion of each quiz will be comprised of problems from the assigned homework.
• Participate and engage in class: In general, instructors recommend that you spend about 2 hours outside of class for every hour of instructional time. That means (for a Fall/Spring semester course) approximately 12 hours per week over and above the scheduled class contact hours. Each summer week is about 2 weeks of a normal semester (so you should be doing about 20 hours of work per week out of class during the summer).
• Study in groups: Working through problems with peers around is a great way to learn. If you get stuck, you have a friend to help you; and helping to teach others is one of the best ways to master the material. We highly recommend forming study groups and working together frequently on the problems. There is no competition for grades in CH102 – every student can get the highest possible grade (A). That means that working together can only ever help you and your peers.

Drop-In Tutoring Hours

• General Chemistry
  • Wednesdays, 11am-1pm in 100 Bay State Road, Room 545
  • Sundays, 3-5pm in 100 Bay State Road, Room 545B
• Organic Chemistry
  • Wednesdays, 11am-1pm in 100 Bay State Road, Room 545
  • Sundays, 1-3pm in 100 Bay State Road, Room 545A

OrgoPrep

OrgoPrep is designed to bridge the gap between the completion of CH102 (General Chemistry 2) and the beginning of CH203 (Organic Chemistry 1).

OrgoPrep is collaboration between the Chemistry Education teams and the Educational Resource Center; the cohorts are led by an experienced undergraduate teaching assistant. The program is half self-paced and half live webinars. The result is a one-of-a-kind program, based on both students’ needs and advanced pedagogical tools. OrgoPrep runs during the summer semester; for more information on the Summer 2025 program, check out our OrgoPrep website!

Chemia

Chemia is BU’s Undergraduate Chemistry Society. Chemia offers free tutoring for BU students on Monday and Thursday nights from 6-8PM in-person. Learn more on the Chemia website.

• Get Hands-On with Problem Sets: Engineering isn’t about rote memorization; it’s about applying concepts to real-world scenarios. Regularly tackle problem sets, and don’t be afraid to revisit earlier problems after gaining more understanding. Practice problems from different textbooks to expose yourself to a variety of question types.
• Practice makes perfect- Understand the ‘Why’ Behind Equations: Don’t just memorize formulas—understand where they come from and how they apply to real-world problems. Deriving equations and understanding their physical significance will help you solve complex problems under different contexts, especially during exams.
• Master Your Tools and Software: Engineering often involves specific software (e.g., SolidWorks for CAD, MATLAB for simulations, or Multisim for circuit design). Spend extra time mastering these tools early on, as they’ll save you time on projects and assignments later.
• Stay Organized with Projects and Labs: Engineering coursework often involves multi-step projects or labs that span weeks. Keep a detailed notebook or digital record of each step, calculation, and result. This practice is crucial when writing reports or preparing for exams that test your understanding of these projects.
• Form Study Groups with Diverse Strengths:Engineering requires tackling problems from multiple angles. Form study groups with peers who have strengths in different areas (e.g., coding, circuit design, mechanics), so you can learn from each other and develop a well-rounded understanding.
• Supplement Your Learning with Practical Resources: -YouTube Channels: Follow channels like “NPTEL,” “Learn Engineering,” or “Engineering Explained” for visual demonstrations of complex engineering principles.- Online Courses: Consider platforms like Coursera or edX for additional coursework on specialized topics, which can reinforce your classroom learning. 

Engineering Tutoring Center

As a student of the College of Engineering, you have exclusive access to the Engineering Tutoring Center which provides free tutoring in math, science, and engineering courses for all freshman and sophomore levels, as well as some junior and senior level ENG courses. They are operating in-person this semester.

Engineering TAs are often advanced students who’ve excelled in the same challenging courses you’re tackling. They can offer insight into problem-solving techniques, lab work, and exam strategies specific to engineering subjects. As you get into junior year, the office hours for professors are more helpful and you can get one on one attention and help for specific problems. 

The engineering tutor center caters specifically to engineering courses, as they often provide support for subjects like Differential Equations, Thermodynamics, Statics, Dynamics, and Programming in languages like MATLAB, C++, or Python. Learn more!

If you need additional support not listed, contact BU’s Engineering Department: bu.edu/eng/

• • Practice Makes Progress: Math isn’t just about listening to lectures; it’s about doing. Practice problems often, revisit older ones, and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself with tougher questions. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel.
  • Understand the ‘Why’ Behind Formulas: Memorizing formulas might help short-term, but understanding where they come from and how they work will make all the difference. When you know the “why,” you’ll be able to handle even the trickiest problems during exams.
  • Stay Organized: Keep track of your notes, homework, and practice problems in one place. Organized notes make it so much easier to review when test time comes around. Plus, having everything in one spot means you can quickly find examples and explanations when you need them.
  • Work With Your Peers: Study groups can be game-changers. Talking through problems with classmates, explaining concepts to others, or hearing someone else’s approach can help solidify what you’ve learned and open your mind to new ways of thinking.
  • Use Extra Resources – Learn more about the Department of Mathematics and Statistics Tutoring Room here.

Drop-In Tutoring Hours

• Calculus
  • Wednesdays, 1-3pm in 100 Bay State Road, Room 545 (MA121, MA124)
  • Sundays, 1-3pm in 100 Bay State Road, Room 545B (MA123)
• Statistics
  • Wednesdays, 1-3pm in 100 Bay State Road, Room 545 (MA115/116)
  • Sundays, 1-3pm in 100 Bay State Road, Room 545B (MA113)

Take Charge of Your Learning

Math courses require consistent effort and steady habits to truly master the material. Since most math classes are lecture-based, a lot of the learning happens outside of class. This might mean reviewing your notes daily, working through example problems, or previewing the next day’s content. While homework is the most common way to engage with the material, it’s important not to wait until an exam to dive in. Keep up with the content regularly so it feels manageable and less overwhelming.

Use Office Hours and Ask Questions

Your professors, TAs, and TFs are there to help you. Whether you’re stuck on a tricky homework problem, need clarification on a concept, or just want advice for the next test, office hours are the perfect time to ask. Check your syllabus for the times and make a point to go—you’ll often get personalized help that you can’t get in a big lecture.

Drop By the MA Tutoring Room

The Math Department’s tutoring room is an amazing resource where you can drop in and get help from graduate students, TAs, and TFs. Whether you need a quick explanation or want to work through some problems with guidance, this space is there for you. Check their website for the schedule and location—it’s a great place to reinforce what you’re learning in class.

Tips for Success:

• Tackle Problem Sets Consistently: Physics is about understanding the interplay between theory and application. Work through problem sets regularly, revisiting earlier ones to reinforce your understanding. Try problems from different textbooks to expose yourself to varied approaches and techniques.
• Understand the Concepts Behind Formulas: Avoid rote memorization. Instead, focus on understanding the physical principles and derivations of formulas. Knowing why equations work will help you apply them effectively to novel problems, especially during exams.
• Master Your Tools and Techniques: Physics often involves using tools like MATLAB for simulations, Mathematica for solving equations, or LaTeX for preparing research reports. Familiarize yourself with these tools early to enhance efficiency in coursework and research projects.
• Stay Organized with Labs and Projects: Keep detailed notes of experiments, including procedures, data, and analysis. This will make writing lab reports or revisiting experiments for exams easier and more effective.
• Form Study Groups with Diverse Skills: Collaborate with peers who excel in different areas, such as problem-solving, theoretical understanding, or experimental techniques. This diversity can help you approach challenges from multiple perspectives.
• Supplement Your Learning with Resources:
  • YouTube Channels: Watch content from channels like “MinutePhysics,” “Physics Girl,” or “Veritasium” for accessible explanations of complex concepts.
  • Online Courses: Use platforms like Coursera, edX, or MIT OpenCourseWare to explore additional coursework in specialized topics, such as Quantum Mechanics or Relativity.
• Visualize and Relate Concepts: Physics often involves abstract ideas. Use visual aids like diagrams, animations, or simulation tools to build intuition and relate theoretical concepts to real-world applications.

Drop-In Tutoring Hours

• Wednesdays, 11am-12pm in 100 Bay State Road, Room 545 (PY105/106)
• Sundays, 3-5pm in 100 Bay State Road, Room 545B (PY105/106, PY211)

Peer Mentorship by Physics Department

Initiated and run entirely by students, the PRISM (PeeRs for Incoming Students Mentorship) program is a support network for entering physics majors. Participating freshmen are paired with junior or senior mentors, meeting five times a semester. These sessions help mentees address academic and personal concerns while encouraging active engagement in department activities. Mentors provide guidance on navigating research opportunities, coursework, and extracurricular involvement tailored to physics students at BU.

Learning Assistant (LA) Program

The Learning Assistant Program selects high-performing undergraduates to assist in teaching physics courses they have excelled in. LAs collaborate with faculty and receive training in science pedagogy through the School of Education. As peer educators, they help students grasp challenging concepts in a student-centered environment, fostering active and collaborative learning through small-group discussions and problem-solving.

PHOTON

PHOTON is Boston University’s chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS). It provides a platform for physics majors to connect socially and engage in outreach while promoting enthusiasm for the physical sciences. Activities include hands-on demonstrations, faculty and student talks on physics topics, and outreach programs in the Boston area. PHOTON also collaborates with other local SPS chapters, such as those at Harvard, MIT, and Northeastern, building a strong network of budding physicists.

Professor and TA Office Hours

Physics TAs are often students who have excelled in the same challenging courses you are tackling. They can offer insights into mastering theoretical concepts, solving complex equations, and preparing for lab work. As you progress to upper-level courses, professors’ office hours become even more helpful for personalized guidance on advanced topics like Quantum Mechanics or Electrodynamics.

Take Advantage of Physics-Specific Tutoring Services

BU offers tutoring services specifically for physics courses. Seek help with foundational subjects like Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism, Thermodynamics, or advanced topics like Modern Physics.

• Try to study with people/ in groups: Many concepts within Questrom are complex and one efficient way to study is to teach the subject to peers. Teaching the concepts requires a deep understanding of the knowledge that’s much more useful than pure memorization!
• Blurting for Conceptual classes: Some classes, like SM131, require memorization for certain topics for exams. One effective way of studying is writing down all the necessary information you need for each section on a whiteboard, and then attempting to rewrite without notes, filling in the gaps of what you missed, and repeating that process. 
• Organize Work for Classes: Taking multiple Questrom classes at once is difficult due to the rigor of the courses. The key is staying organized, writing to-do lists and tasks, and managing and dividing your time between courses.
• ASK FOR HELP! Questrom can be difficult, but because of the rigid schedule/curriculum, all Questrom students have to take the same classes and many students (especially freshman and sophomores) have identical schedules – so your peers are your biggest resource.

Drop-In Tutoring Hours

• Wednesdays, 1-3pm in 100 Bay State Road, Room 545 (SM131, AC221)
• Sundays, 1-3pm in 100 Bay State Road, Room 555 (SM131/132)

TA Office hours

Most, if not all, Questrom classes have teaching assistants who are there to help with course materials. TAs have all taken the course and have gotten an excellent grade demonstrating their deep understanding of the content in questions.

Lock Honorary Service

Peer tutoring service for several introductory Questrom courses like SM131, SM132, BA 221, BA223, and more. Several tutors come to events and are ready to help students with an array of topics. Check out their website here!