Science, Engineering, & Math Tutoring Center (SEM TC)

Welcome!

The Student Learning Centers are online and in person to support you in all of your academics. We care about your success!

In-person Tutoring in the SEM Tutoring Center

The SEM Tutoring Center offers support to all math and most science courses!

Drop-in and Appointment Tutoring for Science, Engineering & Math courses
Quarter-long Graphing Calculator Rental Program ($20 per quarter, free with a qualifying waiver request)
Quarter-long Scientific Calculator Rental Program (Free for all students)
Open study Spaces for groups and individuals
Computer lab with science & math related software
Science & Math Textbooks and Calculators for short term checkout
Additional drop-in tutoring in the MESA center (bldg. 15 room 120)
Resources for Science, Engineering & Math students

HOURS & LOCATIONS

SEM Drop-in and Appointment Tutoring (building 19 room 22 - south end of building 19).

Monday – Thursday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Friday: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Sat/Sun: closed (online options)

SEM Drop-In Tutoring (MESA Center, building 15)

Monday - Thursday coverage before 3:30 varies by day (see schedule in the MESA center)

Monday - Thursday: 3:30pm – 7:30pm

Additional support through eTUTORING: LIVE TUTORING

Available Science support in eTutoring: Physics, Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Chemistry (intro, general, and inorganic) and Computer Science (Java & C++ only).

Available MATH support in eTutoring: Math: Algebra (ABE Math, Math 85-95), Calculus (Math 141, Math 151 - 254), Differential Equations (Math 238), Linear Algebra (Math 220), Math in Society (Math 107), Statistics (Math 146), and Trigonometry (Math 142).

Start here by clicking on Tutoring Support at TCC

Self-enroll (only first time)
Open course (which will be added to your Canvas courses)
Click "Access other online tutoring options: eTutoring"

OR . . . Access it through the Portal (go to the top of your Portal Page and hover over the box icon, then select “All Applications” then scroll down to “eTutoring”).

Other Important Information

Resource Returns

If you still have a resource checked out from the SEM Tutoring Center (book or calculator), please return it during our open hours. Email the SEM Tutoring Center SEMtutoring@tacomacc.edu with any questions about returns.

SEM Tutoring Center Services

Get help with studying and assignments from our tutors.

SEM Tutors will:
- Use leading questions and similar problems to help students understand concepts but will not do problems for a student or help with Quizzes/Tests/Projects without prior instructor permission.
- Explain concepts, when necessary, but not beyond what has already been presented through the course curriculum
- Explain concepts, when necessary, but not beyond what has already been presented through the course curriculum.
- Help the student to find mistakes made within a problem.
- Help find methods of learning which best work for students (different explanations, study skills, modes of learning, etc.).
- Help students with calculator usage and questions.
- Help a student when they are stuck on a problem but may not be able to stay beyond getting a student back on track. The maximum time for drop-in sessions is about 15 minutes and scheduled appointment times will be honored.
- Concentrate on student learning not the student's grade.
SEM Tutors cannot:
- Check more than a couple homework questions
- Do homework problems for the student
- Help with quizzes or tests
- Help with group/ individual projects
- Give complete solution manuals to students
- Be a substitute for missing class
- Spend more than 10 minutes with a student at a time
Maximize your study time with our computer programs, reference books, whiteboards, and textbook or calculator checkout.

In addition, here is some information about study skills to help you succeed in your math classes. The videos were originally created for a math study skills course here at TCC.
- Getting the Most out of Class (pdf): Make sure you maximize your ability to learn while you are in class.
- Getting the Most out of Class Video
- Learning Styles Preference Inventory (pdf): Discover the way you best learn math. Then go to the tips for your learning style linked below.
- Tips for Auditory Learners (pdf): Here are some strategies for auditory learning.
- Tips for Kinesthetic Learners (pdf): Here are some strategies for kinesthetic learning.
- Tips for Visual Learners (pdf): Here are some strategies for visual learning.
- Taking Good Notes (pdf): Get tips for notetaking specifically for math class.
- Keeping an Organized Notebook (pdf): Make sure you can find all of your materials in an organized notebook.
- Notecards (pdf): Learn how to effectively make and use notecards for studying.
- Learning Maps (pdf): Learn how to make a one page “map” of a topic.
- Notecards and Learning Maps Video
- Reading a Math Text Book (pdf): Reading your math book can be intimidating. Learn how to get the most from it.
- Reading your Text Book Video
- Prep Pages (pdf): Learn how to organize the material from your book and get ready for class.
- Tackling Word Problems (pdf): Learn the four step process to more easily break down word problems and solve them with confidence.
- Word Problem Solving Video
- Metacognition and Annotation Video: These strategies will also help you understand and break down word problems.
- Study Time (pdf): The time you spend working on math outside of class needs to involve more than just assigned homework problems.
- Study Time Video
- Study Groups (pdf): Time spent studying in groups is often more productive than time spent studying alone. Learn how to form a study group for your math class.
- Study Groups Video
- Test Preparation and Test Taking (pdf): Learn strategies for studying, preparing for and taking a test.
- Practice Tests (pdf): Practice tests can be an excellent way to help yourself get ready for a math test.
- Practice Tests Video
- Time Management (pdf): With so many demands on their time, students must learn time management skills to be successful.
- Stress and Time Management Video
- Math and Test Anxiety (pdf): Learn how to overcome anxiety when it comes to learning math and taking tests.
- Review for tests, study or work on math assignments.
- Large Computer Lab with white boards, study tables, and a print station
- Large Group Room, with wall to wall whiteboards
- Individual student room with white board dividers.

Contact Information

The SEM Tutoring Center front desk SEMtutoring@tacomacc.edu

Director, Shannon Pressley: spressley@tacomacc.edu

Call the front desk at 253-566-5145

email SEM TC front desk email Shannon

Get paid to help your fellow students

Tutoring is a paid position with a time commitment of 5-12 hours per week. Qualified applicants will have a desire to facilitate the learning of their fellow students, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, a strong recommendation from an instructor in the discipline they are supporting, and previous completion of the course they support with a 3.0 or better.

To apply, visit Careers at TCC and select the job title Tutor, Dedicated Tutor, and Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader – Pool.

Careers at TCC