School of Arts and Sciences

Getting The Help You Need to Succeed

In This Section:

Adjusting to the rigors and expectations of college classes may sometimes prove a difficult task, one that will challenge your personal strength and patience. Learning how to write a critical paper may seem easy to some students but completely mystifying to others. Or, you may be thinking, "I already took honors math in high school—why is college algebra so hard?" It is true that students experience academic challenges in different ways—some students need help overcoming challenging coursework, or a high-achieving student may be looking for an edge between earning an A- and an A. The School of Arts and Sciences offers the help you need to succeed throughout your college career.

The Academic Resource Center is a one-stop shop for your academic needs, offering tutoring in a range of subjects and helping students develop the skills and strategies they need to perform at their very best. Math tutoring, individual and small group course instruction, and study skills workshops are just some examples of how the ARC can provide the help you need, all within a contemporary facility in the middle of campus. Professional academic counselors tailor services to individual student need, trained students offer peer support, and on-site computers are available for use. Referral services to the Counseling Center, Disability Resources and Services, and other professional services are also available. Academic Resource Center services are free of cost to you, the student.

Skills Workshops

The Academic Resource Center regularly offers free Skills Workshops on a variety of pertinent topics such as time management, test taking, note taking, critical reading, and other themes related to mastering the strategies necessary for success in college. Skills Workshops are offered during both day and evening hours to meet the needs of various schedules and are open to all students. Get the latest workshop schedule by calling the ARC at 412-648-7920.

Tutoring

The Academic Resource Center provides tutoring in numerous subjects. If you need help in a subject area that is not listed below, let the staff know and they will assist you. Tutoring takes place in one-on-one or small group settings, including evening and weekend hours; call 412-648-7290 for additional information.

  • Anatomy
  • Astronomy
  • Biological Sciences 0150
  • Biological Sciences 0160
  • Chemistry 0110
  • Chemistry 0120
  • Economics
  • Foreign languages
  • Genetics
  • Grammar
  • Logic
  • Organic Chemistry 0310
  • Organic Chemistry 0320
  • Philosophy
  • Physics 0110
  • Physics 0111
  • Psychology
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Spanish 0001 through 0004
  • Statistics

Phi Eta Sigma (contact: 412-648-7823), an academic honors society, offers peer tutoring; you can also check with your faculty or department for additional help.

Academic Counseling

Academic Intervention

The Academic Intervention Program is designed to assist students who have been placed on Academic Probation (overall GPA of less than 2.0). The program provides students with study strategies to restore their good academic standing. Any student required to take part in the program must meet with a retention specialist in the ARC. The specialist will offer one or more of the following options:

  1. Study Skills Program

    This program supports students in developing study skills and habits necessary for academic success. Students take a diagnostic survey designed to determine strengths and weaknesses in five study skill areas: time management, memory, test taking, note taking, and textbook reading. Based on the results, students are placed into appropriate study skill sessions. The student's retention specialist monitors attendance.

  2. Academic Intervention Course (ARTSC 0109)

    The Academic Intervention Course (ARTSC 0109) is a non-credit course for which students must register through the Academic Resource Center. It is an option for students who seek a structured learning environment.

  3. Progress Meetings with a Retention Specialist

    Retention specialists meet on a one-on-one basis with students who are in need of individualized attention. Alongside regularly scheduled meetings, the specialist will likely recommend tutoring, peer-led study groups and other identified programs. This option allows close monitoring of academic progress throughout the term.

  4. Tutoring

    The Academic Resource Center provides or refers students to tutoring for the subjects in which the student is experiencing difficulty. Some examples of tutoring are:

  5. Midterm Progress Reports
     During fall and spring terms, the School of Arts and Sciences e-mails midterm progress reports to freshmen who are registered in selected courses. The Midterm Progress Report indicates letter grades of H for Honors, S for Satisfactory, or U for Unsatisfactory. Midterm Progress Reports give freshmen a snapshot of their current course performance. Students who receive a Midterm Progress Report with a U should speak with the faculty member for that course and with their academic advisor. They should also visit the Academic Resource Center for tutoring and study skills instruction.

Writing and Math Assistance

The Writing Center
412-624-6556
M-2 Thaw Hall

The Writing Center offers one-on-one appointments with a writing consultant for help with writing in any academic discipline. The Writing Center also sends representatives to the residence halls on limited evenings and provides consultants trained in English as a Second Language.

Math Assistance Center (MAC)
412-624-4179
321 Thackeray Hall

Math tutoring provides an opportunity to clarify and reinforce coursework, including review sessions conducted prior to math exams. Tutoring and review sessions are held at the Math Assistance Center, part of the Math Department, in 321 Thackeray Hall. Two options for tutoring are available: an appointment for a one-hour individual tutoring session; or walk-in without an appointment. Hours for both one-on-one tutoring and walk-in tutoring during the fall and spring terms are Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Summer term hours are Monday to Friday 9 a.m. until noon and 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.

Back to top | Table of Contents

Top