math drop in

Math Drop-In Center

 

 

Fall 2024 Hours

In Fall 2024, we will be open in the afternoons Tuesday through Friday, and in the evenings Monday through Thursday. Our first day open for Fall 2024 will be Monday, September 9.

  • Tuesday-Friday: 2pm-4pm
  • Monday-Thursday 6pm-8pm

To visit in-person, come to CSI 101  (the Feigenbaum Center) during the hours above. No appointment is needed!

For help online, click the sign in button below during the hours above. Fill in the sign-in form, then check your e-mail for a message describing how to proceed to our Teams Channel.

Sign in Here!

For each visit (in-person or online), please fill in a sign-in sheet. Make sure to bring your class notes, book, or other class materials that can help the tutors help you!

We will not be open when the campus is closed due to weather emergencies (check MCLA's home page: a top-of-screen ribbon announcement will appear in this case).

Spring 2024 Courses

At the Math Drop-in Center, we can help with any course with a MATH prefix (Math for Liberal Arts, Intro to Statistics, Math for Educators, PreCalc, Calc sequence, etc.). Additionally, we can help with some STEM courses. Below are courses outside of the math department that tutors can help with this semester.

Physics

o   Phys 131: General Physics I: Tues & Thurs 6-8, Weds & Fri 2-4 

o   Phys 140: Astronomy: Tues & Thurs 6-8 

o   Phys 151: Intro Mechanics Mon 6-8, Weds & Fri 2-4, Tues & Thurs 6-8

o   Phys 251: Intro to Electricity & Magnetism Weds & Fri 2-4, Tues & Thurs 6-8

o   Phys 361: Mathematical Methods of Physics Tues & Thurs 6-8, Weds & Fri 2-4 

o   Phys 405: Optics Tues & Thurs 6-8

Computer Science

o   CSCI 120: Python: Tues, Weds, & Fri 2-4

o   CSCI 122: Java II: Tues, Weds, & Fri 2-4

o   CSCI 210: Networking Theory I: Tues 2-4

o   CSCI 243: Database Tues, Weds, & Fri 2-4

BIOLOGY:

o   BIOL 101: Intro Bio 1: Cells Tues & Thurs 6-8

chemistry:


o   CHEM 150: Intro Chem Tues & Thurs 6-8

o    CHEM 201: Organic Chem Tues & Thurs 6-8

PSYCHOLOGY:

o   PSYC 290: Psychology Research and Stats I Mon 6-8

o   PSYC 291: Psychology Research and Stats II Mon 6-8

About

MCLA's Math Drop-in Center is a place for students with any questions related to mathematics. Among our tutors, we have the ability to assist with the mathematics portions of problems from any course in any department on campus, as well as the ability to help students studying for the mathematics portions of exams like the MTEL, GRE, and TEAS. Some of our tutors are also able to help with science courses and computer science courses. The Center is free for the MCLA community to use, and all MCLA students, faculty, and staff are welcome to drop in—no appointment necessary!

For any questions about the Math Drop-in Center, please email Dr. Erin Kiley at emkiley@mcla.edu .

 

How can I get the most out of my visit?

  • Fill in a Sign-In Sheet! You can do this online via the above link. You will be asked: (1) what course you're here for, and (2) who your professor is. We ask that you fill in a new sign-in sheet every time you visit; this is so we can better help you when you're here, and it's also so that we can continue to apply for grant funding to remain open. We also use our records of day/times of arrivals in making staffing and operational decisions.
  • Have your syllabus, textbook, class notes, homework and computer/calculator available if appropriate.
  • Come and use the space as a place to do homework. Work on your homework on your own, and then ask one of the peer tutors a question when you get stuck. When you do ask for help:
  • Have specific questions. It's not very helpful to tell the tutor you're confused about everything. It's much more helpful to have picked out particular homework problems you are stuck on or particular topics or examples you want explained.
  • Seek out other students in the Center or Channel who are in the same course as you. A lot can be accomplished by breaking out into small group chats/calls, and it makes good use of the time you're waiting for the tutor.
  • Even though the tutors are very good mathematics students, they are still human, and so there may be occasional questions they can't answer. Don't let this bother you; if you can't work through the material, just return when a more experienced tutor is available. Tutor bios with classes the tutors can help with are on this page below.
  • Don't ask tutors to help you with a take-home test. They are not allowed to do so.
  • Leave anonymous feedback after your tutoring session by following the form link that will be sent to you via e-mail, and that is available on the "General" Teams sub-Channel if you're an online visitor. Your tutors won't read your feedback directly: it goes to the faculty coordinator, who summarizes and paraphrases it at tutors' meetings.

Tips in this section were adapted from Hofstra University's page.

Where can I get general help with math and coding outside of the drop-in center's hours?


Tutors


Sam Broderick
Sam Broderick

Hi, my name is Sam Broderick and I am a Physics and Mathematics major at MCLA with a minor in Software Development. I have taken Calc I, Proof I, Java I, and Intro to Stats. I am currently taking Calc II, Calc III, Proof II, Intro to Mechanics, and History of Math. I also have experience with C++, Python, and SQL if you need help with programming.

Sam works Wednesdays and Fridays, 2-4pm.

 


Tea CaravelloTea Caravello

Hello!  My name is Tea and I am a sophomore Physics and Interdisciplinary Studies major.  Outside of school, I love reading and playing video games!  I'm here for all of your physics help needs, as well as introductory math courses and Calc I & II, and I am always happy to try and help with any other topics you may have.

Tea works Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6pm-8pm

 

 


Eric DupontEric Dupont

Hey, my name is Eric DuPont and I’m majoring in Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Science. I can gladly lend a helping hand with classes like Calc I and II, Intro Stats, Intro Physics classes, Intro Chem, Organic Chem, Inorganic Chem, Intro to Environmental Systems, Intro to Sustainability, and Methods in Environmental research. As you might have guessed, I love nature and am an avid hiker/ camper. I love a good documentary of any kind, an engaging video essay, and especially a gripping book. I’d love to work with you on increasing your confidence when engaging with any of the topics I can!

Eric works Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6pm-8pm


Tristan Hernandez
Tristan Hernandez

Hey there, my name is Tristan and I am a Mathematics major at MCLA with a minor in Computer Science. At a young age my love for math sparked off with a win in a 5th grade tournament in NYC. I truly believe it to be one of the greatest moments of my lifetime as it has shaped my mathematical journey and gave me a new passion that has benefited me since that point. My love for the field grows every day and I wish to further grow my passion for math and also share my knowledge with the MCLA community. I currently have taken all Calculus courses, both Proof courses, Linear Algebra, Stats/Data, Real Analysis, History of Math and also Programming in Java I. As of now, I am taking Programming in Java II and Intro to Mechanics. If you would like assistance on any of these courses or have any questions, I would more than happy to help (:

Tristan works 2-4pm on Tuesdays.


Encourage Your Students to Visit

Include this Blurb in your Syllabus

The Math Help Drop-In Center is now open in-person as well as virtually on Microsoft Teams! To get in-person help with any math question from any course, please visit the Feigenbaum Center for Science & Innovation, Room 101 during our open hours (which are always up-to-date on mcla.edu/mathcenter ). To get online help, follow the sign-in link at our website, then fill in the sign-in sheet and follow the instructions that arrive in your e-mail inbox. Our tutors are friendly, supportive, and ready to help!

Have a Tutor visit your Class!

Having a tutor visit your class is a quick, easy way to let your students know about the services we offer, where they can see a friendly face that might encourage them to visit. To organize a visit with a peer tutor in your course, please email Erin Kiley at emkiley@mcla.edu .

Use Pre-Tests in your Class

Ungraded pre-tests can often help students decide early whether they will need help with the mathematics that an upcoming course topic entails, and such evaluations can often be given in five minutes, or as take-home assignments. For templates on particular topics, please email Erin Kiley at emkiley@mcla.edu .