Academic Support
Physics and astronomy courses at Valpo are demanding, and the department wants every student to succeed.
Professors in the Department of Physics and Astronomy use their office hours to work with students who need more help with course material. Students who need additional support can also take advantage the following resources:
Departmental Help Sessions
All of the introductory physics and astronomy courses offer help sessions, typically held in the evening and staffed by professors or more advanced students. Help sessions are always offered for
- ASTR 101, Astronomy
- PHYS 111 & 112, Essentials of Physics
- PHYS 141 & 142, Physics: Electricity, Magnetism and Waves
Other classes often have help sessions, as well. Each class’ syllabus will have complete and updated information about available help sessions.
Academic Success Center
The Academic Success Center coordinates free group review sessions, led by experienced physics students. The classes that they review change each semester and are listed on the Academic Success Center schedule.
Peer Tutoring
The Society of Physics Students maintains a list of physics students who are available for one-on-one tutoring for an hourly fee.
The Society of Physics Students (SPS) is a national organization designed explicitly for students. Membership, through collegiate chapters, is open to anyone interested in physics.
From the national website: The SPS exists to help students transform themselves into contributing members of the professional community. Course work develops only one range of skills. Other skills needed to flourish professionally include effective communication and personal interactions, leadership experience, establishing a personal network of contacts, presenting scholarly work in professional meetings and journals, and outreach services to the campus and local communities.
Valpo’s Chapter
President: William Bakke
Email: valposps@gmail.com