Ackerman STEM Learning Center

Please review our expectations for tutors and students (PDF, ) before working with a tutor. Students are expected to bring work to show and have a question about what they would like to learn.

For online tutoring, visit the virtual tutoring page for information on the Virtual STEM Learning Center. 

In-person short-term tutoring is available on a drop-in basis according to this schedule (PDF, ) for currently enrolled MC students. There is a sign-in for the tutoring waiting list at the circulation desk and no appointments are necessary.  Ackerman Learning Center tutors are excellent members of the faculty, Center staff, and outstanding students.

The posted tutoring schedules are not able to reflect daily tutoring absences; schedules may change without notice.

Weekly help sessions (PDF, ) are available for some classes.  All sessions are free.

When MC tutors are not available, the school also provides free 24x7 online tutoring on demand through Brainfuse.

The Ackerman Learning Center also maintains a list of private tutors (PDF, ) who can be hired for more extensive private tutoring needs. 

How to maximize your time with a tutor:

• Bring your notes and text book.
• Try to attempt solving the problem to show the tutor your progress and where you have questions.

Our Tutoring Model

For in-person tutoring, the Ackerman Learning Center uses a short-term, drop-in tutoring model. No appointments necessary; all tutoring is on a first-come, first served basis. Be prepared for your session with questions and work to show your tutor. You can sign up as often as needed, but each session is limited due to the volume of students we serve.

Take Home Tests and Quizzes:

Tutors cannot directly assist with take home tests or quizzes unless it is clearly specified on the test or quiz that help from a tutor is allowed.  

General Assistance

Biology 
  BIOL 212:
    Unit 1 - Topic List (PDF, )
    Unit 2 - Topic List (PDF, )
    Unit 3 - Topic List (PDF, )
    Unit 4 - Topic List (PDF, )
    Unit 2 - Lab Pictures (PDF, )
    Unit 3 - Lab Pictures (PDF, )
    Unit 4 - Lab Pictures (PDF, )

  BIOL 213:
    Unit 2 - Lab Pictures for face-to-face section (PDF, )
    Unit 2 - Lab Pictures (PDF, )
    Unit 3 - Lab Pictures (PDF, )
    Unit 4 - Lab Pictures (PDF, )

Chemistry

  CHEM 099 final review (PDF, )
  CHEM 099 periodic table (PDF, )
  CHEM 131 final review (PDF, )
  CHEM 131 final review answer key (PDF, )

Computer Science

  Computer lessons and tutorialsnew window

Math

  MATH 098 final review (PDF, )
  MATH 117 final review (PDF, )
  MATH 120 final review (PDF, )
  MATH 150 final review (PDF, )
  MATH 165 final review (PDF, )
  MATH 181 final review (PDF, )
  MATH 182 final review (PDF, )

Is your effort not reflected in your grades? Are you frustrated with your exam scores? Is studying taking too much time?

If so, come to Brain Training and learn how to use your brain effectively to study smarter, not harder!  Each session will change how you approach learning and will show you simple, concrete strategies for acing your classes. 

Brain Training Workshops will help you master techniques to rewire you brain for academic success, beat procrastination, and conquer exams.

How are you using your brain? See you at Brain Training!

Brain Training Schedule (PDF, )

Current textbooks and solution manuals for use in the Center are available with student ID for most math and science courses at the Rockville campus. There are also a variety of supplemental textbooks and problem books available. Check out our donation section!  There are shelves of older texts and materials to use at home or keep. 

The Ackerman Learning Center houses computers used for tutorial support and/or additional resources in math and sciences.

Every computer has the full suite of MC standard software, including Microsoft Office and Adobe products, as well as a wide range of discipline-specific academic software.

There are a variety of software packages available for math, biology, chemistry, physics, engineering and CMSC. 

The Ackerman Learning Center has six small group study rooms that students may reserve if they want to study in a group. Rooms can accommodate 4 – 10 students for up to two hours. All rooms must be reserved before use; reservations may be made at the Circulation Desk.

The Ackerman Learning Center maintains a room for students in Biology in which microscopes, slide sets, and anatomy models are housed. Students have access to these important resources whenever the Center is open, in addition to the open lab hours in the department.

How to Download a TI-84 Calculator Emulator

TI 84, TI 89, and scientific calculators are available in the Ackerman Learning Center to use for a short-term loan of one day; short-term calculator loans must be returned the following day. Students must use their MC ID to check out a calculator.

Students with a financial need may be able to borrow a long-term calculator for an entire semester.  This requires completing a check-out form. 

Long-term calculator application forms are available in the Center.

• TI 83 and TI 84 calculator self paced handout (PDF, ) provided by Professor Teresa McCullough. 
• TI 83 and TI 84 calculator self paced handout for Statistics (PDF, ) . 

Biology

• Meiosis I and Meiosis II; Life Cycles (PDF, )  
• Cell Cycle: Mitosis (PDF, )  

Chemistry

• Atomic Mass (PDF, )  
• Limiting Reactant & Theoretical Yield (PDF, )  
• Mole & Molar Mass (PDF, )  
• Scientific (Exponential) Notation (PDF, )  
• Significant Figures (PDF, )  
• Reaction Stoichiometry (PDF, )  
• Unit Conversions (PDF, )  
• Writing Balanced Chemical Equations (PDF, )  

Calculator

• Finding an Intersection of Two Functions using the TI-83/84 (PDF, )  
• Scatterplot and Linear Regression using the TI-83/84 (PDF, )  
• Finding Maximum and Minimum using the TI-83/84 (PDF, )  
• TI-84 Programs for Statistics (PDF, )  
• Finance solver for MATH 110 (PDF, )  

Math

• How to Solve Word Problems (PDF, )  
• Determinants of Matrices (PDF, )  
• Polynomial Division (PDF, )  
• Factoring Trinomials (Quadratics) (PDF, )  
• Logarithm Basics (PDF, )  
• Matrix Basics (PDF, )  
• Recreate the Unit Circle (PDF, )  
• Recreate the Unit Circle 2 (PDF, )  
• Recreate the Unit Circle (blank circle) (PDF, )  
• Simplifying Algebraic Expressions to Standard Polynomial Form (PDF, )  
• Simplifying Algebraic Expressions with Exponents (PDF, )
• Vector Basics (PDF, )  

Physics

• Center of Mass (PDF, )  
• Collisions (PDF, )  
• Conservative and Non-Conservative Forces (PDF, )  
• Linear and Angular Quantities (PDF, )  
• Simple Projectile Motion (PDF, )  
• How to Solve Physics Problems (PDF, )