Resource Guide
Academic Resource Guide
Connecting you to the wide net of academic resources across BU’s campus.
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General Resources
Disability and Access Services
BU is committed to providing equal and integrated access for individuals with disabilities to all academic, social, cultural, and recreational programs. The office is here to help students get set up with the appropriate accommodations. Contact them today to get the process started!
Academic Advising Offices
Academic Advising offices can help you pick out your classes, decide on a major,
and explore your interests. Contact them for issues related to course registration,
preqrequisites, major & minors.
See the full list of advising offices:
Newbury Center
BU’s Newbury Center fosters the success of first-generation undergraduate and graduate students at Boston University. The center’s programming and services support first-gen well-being, belonging, self-efficacy, and academic accomplishment.
Financial Assistance
BU’s Financial Assistance office helps BU students and families apply for financial aid, navigate eligibility criteria, and understand financing options.
Howard Thurman Center
BU’s Howard Thurman Center (HTC) is a place for students to come together and learn about themselves and each other. The center advances Dr. Thurman’s philosophy of self-exploration and community building through meaningful and creative shared experiences.
University Service Center
BU’s University Service Center (USC) is a great place to visit or call when you have a problem or concern and aren’t sure where to go. Staff can get you pointed in the right direction or help you figure out the best way to address the situation.
International Students & Scholars Office
BU’s International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) provides professional expertise on immigration and employment for international students and scholars studying and working in the United States.
International Graduate Students Guide
This helpful handbook shares essential tips for navigating Boston, the university, housing, health care and more as an international graduate student.
Student Employment Office
BU’s Student Employment Office (SEO) works with enrolled degree-seeking students to assist them in finding student jobs both on campus and throughout the Greater Boston area.
Housing
BU’s Housing Office offers a wide range of residential options for BU undergraduate and graduate students.
Office of the Ombuds
BU’s Office of the Ombuds provides a safe place for you to have confidential conversations on issues related to life, work, or study at Boston University. Talking to the Ombuds can be a good first step if you have a concern, but you don’t know where to turn for help.
Center for Career Development
The CCD can help with resumes and cover letter reviews. Find out about all the services they offer to get you career ready on their website!
100 Bay State Road, 5th Floor
If you need additional support not listed, contact your department directly:
BU Schools and Departments
Academic Resources
Office Hours
Professors and TF/TAs are your best resource for your course. See your syllabus for their office hours and contact information. If you cannot make it to their office hours, try contacting them directly to arrange a different time to meet.
Classmates
Study groups are a great way for you to pool your knowledge with other students, review class topics, and clarify points of confusion collectively. You will benefit greatly from proactively forming a study group with classmates early on in the semester – talk to your classmates and see who is interested!
ERC Academic Coaching
During an Academic Coaching appointment, you’ll get to meet with a ERC staff member and discuss your academic journey. You’ll cover topics such as time management and study strategies, and develop a personalized plan for your academic success.
Find a Study Space
The CCD-ERC Student Desk Assistants have created a handy guide to help you find the perfect study space on or off campus!
Academic Tools
Check out our library of online resources for time management, notetaking, study strategies, and more!
Understanding & Overcoming Procrastination
Are you a procrastinator who is hoping to change your habits? In this pre-recorded workshop, you will learn concrete strategies to help you start building new routines to change the habit of procrastination.
Academic Integrity Workshop
In this online, interactive module, you will learn about academic integrity and related ethical concepts. Throughout the workshop there will be questions to check your understanding of these topics.
Open Study
Are you looking for more motivation and focus with your studying? Working alongside others can help. The Educational Resource Center offers shared space for undergraduate students in weekly Open Study sessions.
If you need additional support not listed, contact your department directly:
BU Schools and Departments
Biology Resources
ERC Peer Tutorting
The ERC offers free Peer Tutoring by appointment in a variety of Biology courses.
Tutors are often available for BI105/106/107/108, BI203/211/315.
Tutor availability
can vary by semester and is not guaranteed.
Student to Student
Fomer 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 LAs
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.
If you need additional support not listed, contact either:
Stacy Straaberg
Finfrock
Undergraduate
Program Specialist
stacysf@bu.eduor
Introductory Biology Office (for BI 107 and BI 108)
introbio@bu.edu
bu.edu/biology
Chemistry Resources
ERC Peer Tutoring
The ERC offers free Peer Tutoring by appointment in a variety of Chemistry courses.
Tutors are often available for General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and CH373.
Tutor
availability can vary by semester and is not guaranteed.
Chemia
Chemia is BU’s Undergraduate Chemistry Soceity. Chemia offers free tutoring for BU students on Monday and Thursday nights from 6-8PM in-person. Click “more info” below to go to their website.
CH101/102 LAs
CH101/102 Learning Assistants (LAs) are present in your lectures and discussions and are there to help you understand the material being presented. They’re undergraduate students and they participate in the creation of materials for the discussions, so they’re a natural choice if you want some help working through the confusing parts of the class.
CH101/102 Office Hours
It can’t be said enough that going to office hours is a key component to clearing up confusion. All CH101/102 students are encouraged to visit the office hours of ANY professor or TF in any of the sections. They are all available and willing to help you. Be sure to visit them, and not just before an exam. Refer to your syllabus or contact your professor or TF about their office hours.
Sunday Study
Sunday Study is a place for CH101/102 and CH204 students to drop in and get help from Peer Tutors. Click the link below for more information.
OrgoPrep
OrgoPrep is a free, noncredit, preparatory course for organic chemistry offered through July and August. The program is run by the ERC and Chemistry Education teams.
Video Resources
Check out this video with tips from a few ERC Peer Tutors for students in CH101.
If you need additional support not listed, contact BU’s Chemistry Department:
Lauren
Jett
Undergraduate Academic Administrator
chemuaa@bu.edu
bu.edu/chemistry
Economics Resources
ERC Peer Tutoring
The ERC offers free Peer Tutoring by appointment in a variety of economics courses. Tutors are often available for EC101/102 and 201/202. Tutor availability can vary by semester and is not guaranteed.
Economics Office Hours
For EC101 and 102, you can attend the office hours of any TA/TF/professor. Check out your class’ website for more information.
Private Tutors
BU’s Economics Department maintains a list of tutors that you can hire for paid private tutoring. Rates are arranged by you and the tutor directly. Tutors listed cover a wide range of courses including upper level EC courses.
If you need additional support not listed, contact BU’s Economics Department:
Undergraduate Program Coordinator
econteam@bu.edu
bu.edu/econ/
Engineering Resources
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.
Private Tutors
Contact the Undergraduate Programs Office at ENG for more information about obtaining a private paid tutor.
ERC Peer Tutoring
The ERC offers free Peer Tutoring by appointment in a variety of courses that ENG students take through CAS including MA, BI, CH, and PY courses. ERC tutor availability can vary by semester and is not guaranteed. For help in courses exclusive to ENG, please visit the ENG Tutoring Room.
If you need additional support not listed, contact BU’s Engineering Department:
Ruth
Elias
Academic Counselor
ruthelia@bu.edu
bu.edu/eng/
Health and Wellness Resources
Behavioral Medicine
BU’s Behavioral Medicine can help guide you toward mental and emotional health and stability. Their team of psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical nurse specialists, and licensed mental health clinicians are well versed in the many issues that can crop up over an academic career. Don’t hestiate to reach out!
Student Health Services
BU’s Student Health Services houses many different offices, such as Primary Care, Wellness & Prevention, Behavioral Medicine, SARP, and more. Their Student Health Ambassadors can be found promoting their services across campus.
Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation
BU’s Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation provides comprehensive services and programs that teach critical skills to promote thriving and success.
Food Insecurity Resources
BU has multiple on-campus resources to help students who are experiencing food insecurities. Press “More Info” to see a list of BU resources, as well as resources in the Boston area.
Sexual Assault Response & Prevention Center
BU’s Sexual Assault Response & Prevention Center (SARP) compassionately responds to survivors of trauma and prevents interpersonal violence through awareness and education. They provide free-of-charge counseling and advocacy to Boston University students who have experienced a traumatic event.
FitRec
BU’s Fitness and Recreation Center’s mission is to build a healthy and vigorous community on campus with a high fitness IQ. Whether you’re into group workouts or solo sweats or trying something new, there’s something for everyone with FitRec’s state-of-the-art equipment and modern facilities.
Wellbeing
Student Wellbeing is a campus-wide initiative to support students’ health and wellbeing during their time at BU. They provide opportunities and experiences that enhance all dimensions of wellness, while equipping students with the tools to thrive as individuals and community members.
If you need additional support not listed, contact BU’s Student Health Services:
617-353-3575
bu.edu/shs/
Language Resources
ERC English Conversation Groups
English Conversation Groups are fun, informal gatherings that allow you to improve your language English conversation skills. We offer groups in person and virually.
Schedule an appointment today!
World Languages Writing Tutors
The World Languages and Literatures department provides the opportunity for students to meet with a peer writing tutor! Tutors are available to meet with any student in a WLL class (not just majors and minors).
Schedule an appointment today!
If you need additional support not listed, contact one of the following departments:
African Studies,
Classical Studies,
Linguistics,
Romance Studies, OR
World Languages and Literature
For more information on ASL and Deaf Studies, contact the Wheelock College of Ed. & Human Development’s Student Services Office at whestu@bu.edu
Math Resources
ERC Peer Tutoring
The ERC offers free Peer Tutoring by appointment in a variety of Math courses.
Tutors
are often available for MA113/115/116, MA121/122/123/124, MA213/214/255/226.
Tutor availability can vary by semester and is not guaranteed.
Book
an appointment online today!
MA Tutoring Room
The Math Departments MA Tutoring Room offers all students in MA courses the opportunity to ask questions and work with a graduate student, TFs or TAs in a drop-in style setting. The schedule of times and staff, as well as the in-person location, are posted on their website.
If you need additional support not listed, contact BU’s Math Department:
Professor
Dick Hall
Director of Undergraduate Mathematical Instruction
617-353-9542
bu.edu/math
Physics Resources
ERC Peer Tutoring
The ERC offers free Peer Tutoring by appointment in a variety of Physics courses.
Tutors are often available for PY105/106, 211/212.
Tutor availability can vary
by semester and is not guaranteed.
Sunday Study
Sunday Study is a place for PY105/106 students to drop in and get help from Peer Tutors. This resource will be available every Sunday, 2:00 to 4:00PM, in SCI B-23.
Physics LAs
The Learning Assistants (LAs) are students who are there to help both in and out of class. They are a great resource to help you understand Physics from different angles. They are present in your lectures and discussions and keep their own office hours. Make their office hours a part of your study routine!
Private Tutors
Contact BU’s Physics department for information about obtaining a private paid
tutor.
Please note that these tutors are not affiliated with the ERC.
If you need additional support not listed, contact BU’s Physics Department:
Kelly
Capri
Undergraduate Program Administrator
kcapri@bu.edu
or
Professor
Robert Carey
Director of Undergraduate Studies
carey@bu.edu
physics.bu.edu
Research and Innovation Resources
Office of Research
The Office of Research supports research efforts across the university. This office also runs the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP).
BU Libraries
BU Libraries has numerous resources to assist research projects. There are databases, collections, library guides, and more, on their website.
IS&T
IS&T has many different resources, services, and products for computers. One service is Research Computing Services, to support intensive computations in research projects.
BU Spark!
BU Spark! is a technology incubator and experiential learning lab for computer science and engineering projects.
Innovate@BU
Innovate@BU is University-wide initiative to enable all BU Terriers to become drivers of innovation in their own lives, careers, and communities. They also run the BUild Lab.
Cross-College Challenge
The BU Cross-College Challenge (XCC) is the Hub’s signature interdisciplinary project-based course. The XCC engages students and community partners in a substantial, research-based project.
If you need additional support not listed, “Ask a Librarian”:
ask@bu.edu
askalibrarian.bu.edu
Questrom Resources
ERC Peer Tutoring
The ERC offers free Peer Tutoring by appointment in a few Questrom courses.
Tutors are often available for AC221/222, QM221/222, and SM132.
Tutor availability
can vary by semester and is not guaranteed.
LOCK Society Tutoring
LOCK Honor Society members can assist with first and second year Questrom courses as well as Cross Functional Core courses. Open hours are offered Monday and Wednesday from 6:30-8:30PM. In-person locations can be found by clicking the “more info” button.
If you need additional support not listed, contact Questrom:
Undergraduate
Academic & Career Development Center (UDC)
Questrom School of Business, 595 Commonwealth Ave.
617-353-2650
udc@bu.edu
Writing Resources/Centers
ERC Online Writing Resources
Check out our library of online resources for academic writers! You’ll find tips and tools for grammar, citation, and more.
ERC Writing Assistance
*Available to ALL students
Writing Fellows are available to help with at any stage
of writing process: brainstorming, drafting, or revising. Appointment and drop ins available.
100 Bay State Rd. (5th Floor)
ERC Online Writing Resources
Check out our library of online resources for academic writers! You’ll find tips and tools for grammar, citation, and more.
PDPA PhD Writing Support
*For doctoral and post-doctoral students
A family of services that brings BU graduate students together for structured writing time, community building, and accountability.
1 Silbur Way, 9th Floor
COM Writing Center
*Available to ALL students
COM writing tutors engage students in the writing process, from brainstorming
to revising the final draft. They can help with any written assignment, not just COM papers.
40 Commonwealth Ave, Rm B27A
CAS Writing Center
*For CAS courses
Free appointment for Writing Program
courses (CAS WR) and their equivalents such as EN120, EN220, HI150) and to students with papers from other CAS courses.
100 Bay State Rd, 3rd Floor
CAS Core Writing Fellows
*For students taking courses across the Core Curriculum
Writing Fellows are happy to consult with students about any Core writing
assignment at any stage of the writing process.
725 Commonwealth Ave.
Room 119
CGS Writing Center
*For CGS students only
Students can book appointments in-person at the Writing Center reception
desk.
871 Commonwealth Ave.
Room 330B
SPH Writing & Presentations
*For SPH degree candidates
SPH Public Health Writing and Presentation Skills Programs offers
appointments and walk-in sessions.
715 Albany Street
SSW Writing Tutoring
*For SSW degree candidates
SSW Writing Tutors can help facilitate a thoughtful conversation about your paper. Book appointments online through the More Info button.
715 Albany Street
STH Writing Works
*For STH students only
A free program established to assist
School of Theology students with any stage of academic writing process. Appointments
and walk-in sessions available.
745 Commonwealth Ave.
Center for Career Development
The CCD can help with resumes and cover letter reviews. Find out about all the services they offer to get you career ready on their website!
100 Bay State Road, 5th Floor