College Physics Tutoring
Get Connected to a Great Physics Tutor Today!
Going from the algebra-based physics of high school to the calculus-based physics of college can be a big adjustment for students, especially for those whose Calc I concepts are still settling in or have not been fully introduced. For example, in college, you derive kinematics instead of using a formula provided to you in high school. When in a big lecture hall or a lab where the Professor or TA is crowded by other students, asking questions can feel difficult, so instructors may not always be able to tell when a student doesn’t have the right mathematical context to understand how the problems in lecture are being solved. Having a great tutor who can work with you one-on-one through practice problems and fill in both the math and physics content gaps when they occur is so important for success when it comes to test day. Please call 614-264-1110 today for a free consultation and sign up now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Tutoring By A College Professor?
Every institution's physics curriculum covers the standard topics, but the progression of units is often different. They tend to cover material in vastly different orders and spend more time on certain topics than others. What we offer is personalized help. Our physics tutors are experts who are deeply familiar with not only the topics themselves, but also many of the pedagogical approaches that instructors may take.
For example, many institutions cover quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, or electricity and magnetism later on in a course series (e.g. second or third semester). If a student encounters these topics in the first semester of their institution’s physics curriculum, they might have a difficult time looking for resources online, as many of the resources online assume an understanding of what is usually covered in a first or second semester.
We work with students to help them succeed. Our tutors can give detailed lectures that cater to an institution’s treatment of these topics, and we can provide help on problem sets and tests that are highly specific to that institution. Please call 614-264-1110 today for a free consultation and sign up now.
How are tutoring sessions conducted?
Tutoring sessions are online on Zoom. You can tutor from the comfort of home or the bustle of a coffee shop. It’s up to you.
How long are most tutoring sessions?
Students typically tutor in 1 hour increments, but sessions can run as long as you need.
What if I need an emergency tutoring session for a test tomorrow?
Don’t hesitate to call us at 614-264-1110. We can have you connected with a tutor today to begin scheduling.
What physics courses do you help with?
Please see below for a list of some of the physics courses we’re familiar with. If you do not see your student’s class listed below (e.g. Mathematical Methods of Physics, Computational Physics, etc.), we have likely still helped with the course previously and are still highly qualified to help--our tutors are amazing experts in physics. Please call 614-264-1110 for more information.
Introductory Mechanics and E&M:
Ohio State University: Physics 1103, Physics 1104, Physics 1199, Physics 1200
Penn State University: PHYS 1, PHYS 150, PHYS 151, PHYS 211, PHYS 212, PHYS 212H, PHYS 250, PHYS 251
Harvard University: PHYSICS 15A/15B, PHYSICS 2
UCLA: PHYSICS 1A, PHYSICS 1AH
Michigan State University: PHY 183, PHY 184, 193H, 294H
University of Wisconsin - Madison: PHYSICS 103, PHYSICS 104, PHYSICS 201, PHYSICS 202, PHYSICS 207, PHYSICS 208, PHYSICS 247, PHYSICS 248, PHYSICS 249
Purdue University: PHYS 17200, PHYS 27200
University of Michigan: PHYSICS 140/160, PHYSICS 240/260
Waves, Vibrations, and Oscillations:
Penn State University: PHYS 114, PHYS 214
Harvard University: PHYSICS 15C
UCLA: PHYSICS 1B
Purdue University: PHYS 42200
University of Michigan: PHYSICS 340/360
Modern Physics:
Ohio State University: Physics 1201, Physics 1251, Physics 1251H
Penn State University: PHYS 237, PHYS 237H
University of Wisconsin - Madison: PHYSICS 241,
Purdue University: PHYS 34400
University of Michigan: PHYSICS 390
Classical Mechanics:
University of Wisconsin - Madison: Physics 311
Harvard University: PHYSICS 16
Penn State University: PHYS 211, PHYS 211H
Michigan State University: PHY 321
University of Wisconsin - Madison: PHYSICS 311
Purdue University: PHYS 31000
University of Michigan: PHYSICS 401
Electricity & Magnetism:
Penn State University: PHYS 400, PHYS 400H
Harvard University: PHYSICS 153
Michigan State University: PHY 481
University of Wisconsin - Madison: PHYSICS 322, 323
Purdue University: PHYS 33000
University of Michigan: PHYSICS 405
Quantum Mechanics:
Penn State University: PHYS 410, PHYS 410H, PHYS 411
Harvard University: PHYSICS 143A, PHYSICS 143B
Michigan State University: PHY 471
University of Wisconsin - Madison: PHYSICS 448, 449, 531
Purdue University: PHYS 36000
University of Michigan: PHYSICS 453, 460
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics:
Ohio State University: Physics 1106
Penn State University: PHYS 213
Harvard University: PHYSICS 181
Michigan State University: PHY 215, PHY 410
University of Wisconsin - Madison: PHYSICS 415
Purdue University: PHYS 51500
University of Michigan: PHYSICS 406
Astronomy:
Ohio State University: Physics 1107
Harvard University: PHYSICS 211AR, PHYSICS 211BR, PHYSICS 211CR
Advanced Electives in Physics:
University of Wisconsin - Madison: Physics 206, Physics 406
Penn State University: PHYS 97, PHYS 197, PHYS 230, PHYS 402, PHYS 406, PHYS 479
Harvard University: PHYSICS 210
University of Michigan: PHYSICS 402, PHYSICS 438
Testimonials
See what Physics students and their parents say about their experience with Tutoring By A College Professor. To search for testimonials by school, go to our Testimonials section at the top:
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“My tutors, Chase and Zach: very intelligent people who teach at a fast pace and always check in with me if I’m struggling. I enjoy the method of teaching where we bounce from similar topic to topic because I have a lot of “holes” in my physics and calculus knowledge. Highly recommend.”
Jack
Student at Lehigh University
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“Hi! This is Luca, one of Chase’s mentees. I asked my mother, who helped me set up the tutoring service, for your number. I asked because I wanted to let you know that Chase is one of the best math and physics tutors I have ever worked with — and I have worked with many. I find that not only do we connect well with each other, but he is also able to explain things in a way that makes sense to me. I simply wanted you to know! Thanks.”
Luca
Student at NC State University
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“I found the tutoring very helpful. I was struggling in chemistry and physics and the tutors helped better my understanding. Overall, I found them very productive and I will be using them in the future.”
Kaitlyn McDermott
Student at UC Berkeley
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“Tutoring By A College Professor is a great tutor service. From the moment I signed up I was instantly paired with a tutor and a session was already booked. Ishan was a great tutor who really knew college physics. He explained everything in a way I could understand and really cared about my education. Tutoring By A College Professor is definitely a must for students of all ages who need the edge in a class. Thank you!!”
Jake M.
Student at University of Cincinnati
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“Tutoring By A College Professor has been a reliable source of educational help for our son across various subjects like Physics and something as specialized as Engineering Math. They are always quick to reply and immediately assign a qualified tutor. I highly recommend using this service.”
Carmen Custer
Parent at University of Delaware
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“My daughter and I are very pleased with the tutoring she is getting in Physics. The tutor is very knowledgeable and is able to explain complex topics in a way she is able to understand better. Leslie is a great communicator and is always available to us. She is very timely and caring.”
Paul
Parent at University of Maryland
Typical Introductory Course Topics
Introductory physics courses typically cover a range of fundamental topics in physics. The content often includes the following, with links to Khan Academy’s treatment of the topics. Other useful links can be found under Helpful Resources.
In the first semester:
Kinematics: This is the study of motion without considering its causes. It includes concepts like velocity, acceleration, and the description of motion in one and two dimensions.
Dynamics: This part deals with the causes of motion, primarily focusing on Newton's Laws of Motion. It explores how forces affect the motion of objects.
Work, Energy, and Power: These concepts involve the study of energy in its various forms (kinetic, potential, thermal, etc.) and how work and energy are related. The concept of power, which is the rate at which work is done, is also covered.
Momentum and Collisions: This section explores conservation of momentum, both in elastic and inelastic collisions.
Rotational Motion: This topic includes the study of angular velocity and acceleration, torque, moment of inertia, and the dynamics of rotational motion.
Gravitation: This topic covers the universal law of gravitation, orbits, and the principles governing planetary and satellite motion, and is sometimes covered in Dynamics or Rotational Motion.
In the second semester (more varied):
Oscillations and Waves: Here, students learn about simple harmonic motion, pendulums, and different types of waves (such as sound waves), and their properties.
Fluid Mechanics: This topic focuses on buoyancy, Archimedes’ principle, Bernoulli’s principle, changes in pressure and energy density, and the conservation of flow.
Thermodynamics: This topic deals with heat, temperature, and the laws of thermodynamics, including concepts like entropy and heat engines.
Electricity and Magnetism: This broad topic includes electric fields and forces, electric potential, DC circuits, magnetic fields, and electromagnetism.
Optics: This topic focuses on the behavior of light, including reflection, refraction, lenses, and optical instruments.
Modern Physics: This broad topic may include an introduction to quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics, and relativity. Sometimes, modern physics is covered in greater detail in a third semester.
Helpful Resources
Often, students who have never seen the subject matter before are overwhelmed by the variety of topics covered and the difficulty of the problems they may encounter. To succeed, it is often necessary to:
Attend the instructor’s or TA’s office hours.
Attend on-campus tutoring services, if available.
Utilize the official course textbook listed in the syllabus. Most physics textbooks offer a host of problems (and answers), where the instructor may even source their test questions from these problem banks.
Review online resources:
Khan Academy: Offers comprehensive lessons on various physics topics through interactive videos and exercises. It covers everything from basic to more advanced concepts, making it suitable for students at different levels.
MIT OpenCourseWare: Provides free access to course materials from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, including lectures, notes, and exams.
HyperPhysics: Hosted by Georgia State University, this popular site offers concept maps that link various physics topics, making it easier to understand how different concepts are interrelated.
Paul’s Online Math Notes: While primarily focused on math, this resource offers excellent explanations and problem-solving techniques that are invaluable for physics students trying to understand calculus (e.g. for Newton’s laws), differential equations (e.g. for LRC circuits), and other topics.
LibreTexts Physics: This is a highly versatile educational platform that offers free, open-access textbooks and learning materials in various academic subjects, including physics. It is particularly known for its comprehensive coverage of certain topics and is especially helpful for a typical first semester course.
PhET Interactive Simulations: this site by the University of Colorado Boulder, provides free interactive math and science simulations, focusing on making learning engaging and accessible.
Stack Exchange: A question-and-answer site where you can ask detailed physics questions and get answers from the community, including experts in the field.
Reach out to Tutoring By A College Professor to schedule time with a private tutor who is a physics expert. Call 614-264-1110 today for a free consultation or Sign up now to get started.