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Tutorial Center

Physics Tutorial Center

Nielsen Physics Building Room 512

Purpose

To facilitate the learning process by providing individual attention to physics students to help them learn and understand physics concepts and problem-solving skills.

Mission

The mission of the Physics Tutorial Center (PTC) is to provide an opportunity for students enrolled in undergraduate physics courses at the University of Tennessee to receive personal attention and assistance from experienced physics students, both graduate and undergraduate, outside of the classroom.

Intended Audience

Students who need assistance in the following classes:

  • Physics 101: How Things Work I
  • Physics 102: How Things Work II
  • Physics 135: Introduction to Physics for Physical Science and Mathematics Majors I: Mechanics and Wave Motion
  • Physics 136: Introduction to Physics for Physical Science and Mathematics Majors II: Fluids, Heat, Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics
  • Physics 137: Honors Fundamentals of Physics for Physics Majors I: Mechanics and Wave Motion
  • Physics 138: Honors Fundamentals of Physics for Physics Majors II: Waves, Optics, Electricity, and Magnetism
  • Physics 161: Elements of Physics for Architects and Interior Design Students
  • Physics 221: Elements of Physics I: Physics for Pre-Professional Life Science Students: Mechanics, Heat, Wave Motion, and Optics
  • Physics 222: Elements of Physics II: Physics for Pre-Professional Life Science Students: Electricity, Magnetism, and Modern Physics
  • Physics 231: Fundamentals of Physics I: Physics for Engineering Majors: Electricity and Magnetism
  • Physics 232: Fundamentals of Physics II: Physics for Engineering Majors: Wave Motion, Optics, and Modern Physics

Staff

The center is staffed by undergraduates, sophomores through seniors, all of whom have passed at least the introductory physics courses; and by graduate teaching assistants. All are physics majors.

Format

The Tutorial Center is not a study lounge. Students should come in prepared to ask questions about specific concepts or specific homework problems and should already know what question(s) they will ask. After the student checks in, a staff person will work with the student as soon as possible. If the center is near capacity, a student may ask to leave after having some of their questions answered so as to allow other students a chance to come in for help.

Disclaimer

Our staff are not geniuses and there will be questions they cannot answer or some where they may need time to figure out how approach the problem. This happens most often with material that an instructor assigns that is not part of the standard curriculum. In situations such as this the student is referred to their instructor and/or teaching assistant.

Tutorial Center Contact: Dr. Christine Cheney (ccheney@utk.edu)


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