Exceptional students are drawn to Rensselaer in part by our rigorous education standards. ALAC offers many services to help you meet your academic goals effectively:
- Tutoring services cover course-specific material in interactive group sessions for many undergraduate core courses, with an emphasis on first-year and second-year classes.
- Learning support includes individual academic coaching by professional staff on organizational skills, time management, learning strategies, and similar topics critical to academic success. ALAC’s full range of learning assistance helps students start well, stay focused, and succeed in their academic adventure. Contact us at 518.276.6269 for more details about services. We are here to help.
Tutoring Services
Tutoring services cover course-specific material in interactive group sessions for many undergraduate core courses, with an emphasis on first-year and second-year classes in the schools of science and engineering.
Drop-in tutoring provides opportunities for undergraduates to review class material with graduate and undergraduate tutors proficient in the course topics. The goal is to help students become independent learners by having tutors guide them through solving practice problems while demonstrating strategies for exploring a topic. Their role is not to provide answers, but rather to help students understand questions and identify methods for solving them.
Drop-In Tutoring Schedule -
During the fall, spring, and summer semesters Drop-in tutoring sessions are offered for selected courses in the schools of science and engineering. During the summer semesters some courses may be scheduled on an Individual/Small Group basis.
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If you need assistance with an undergraduate level course that is NOT listed below, you may complete a Tutor Request form (link below) or contact our office at ALAC@rpi.edu
- If you would like to become a tutor, you may complete a Tutor Application (link below) or stop by our office located in Academy Hall Suite 4226. For more details please contact our office at ALAC@rpi.edu
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-------- SPRING 2025 Drop In Tutoring Begins Thurs. Jan. 16th --------
--- NO DROP IN TUTORING ON MON. JAN. 20th ---
ALL STUDENTS MUST SIGN IN WITH THE ATTENDANCE MONITOR BEFORE MEETING WITH A TUTOR
MONITORS WILL BE STATIONED OUTSIDE THE DCC CLASSROOMS (DCC 232,235,236,239)
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PLEASE CHECK BACK REGULARLY FOR UPDATES
| BIOL 1010 Intro Biology | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| BIOL 2120 Intro to Cell | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| BIOL 2500 Genetics and Evol. | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| BMED 2100 Biomaterials | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| BMED 2300 Bioimaging and Bioinstrum | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| BMED 2540 Biomechanics | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| BMED 4250 Biomed Transp. Phen. | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| CHEM 1100 Chemistry I SUN 6 pm - 8 pm | DCC 236 |
| CHEM 1200 Chemistry II | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| CHEM 2260 Organic Chem II | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| CSCI 1100 Comp Sci I | Lally 104 |
| 8 pm – 10 pm - Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs. | |
| CSCI 1100 Comp Sci SUN 6 pm - 8 pm | DCC 330 |
| CSCI 1200 Data Struct. | Lally 104 |
| 8 pm – 10 pm - Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs. | |
| CSCI 1200 Data Struct. SUN 6 pm - 8 pm | DCC 330 |
| CSCI 2200 FOCS | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| CSCI 2300 Intro Algorithms | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| CSCI 2500 Comp Organization | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| CSCI 2600 Princp. Of Software | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| CSCI 4150 Intro to AI | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| CSCI 4210 Operating Systems | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| ECON 1200 Principles of Econ | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| ECSE 1010 Intro to ECSE | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| ECSE 2010 Electric Circuits | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| ECSE 2050 Intro Electronics | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| ECSE 2100 Fields and Waves | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| ECSE 2110 Electric Energy Syst. | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| ECSE 2410 Signals and Systems | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| ECSE 2500 Engineering Probability | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| ECSE 2610 COCO | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| ENGR 1100 IEA | DCC 239 |
| 7 pm – 9 pm - Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs | |
| ENGR 1100 IEA SUN 6 pm - 8 pm | DCC 330 |
| ENGR 1200 CAD | DCC 239 |
| 7 pm – 9 pm - Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs | |
| ENGR 1200 CAD SUN 6 pm - 8 pm | DCC 330 |
| ENGR 1400 Engr. Commun. | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| ENGR 1600 Matls Science SUN 6 pm - 8 pm | DCC 236 |
| ENGR 2090 Engr. Dyn | DCC 239 |
| 7 pm – 9 pm – Thurs. | |
| ENGR 2350 LITEC | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| ENGR 2530 SOM | DCC 239 |
| 7 pm – 9 pm - Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs | |
| ENGR 2600 MAU | DCC 239 |
| 7 pm – 9 pm - Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs | |
| ENGR 2600 MAU SUN 6 pm - 8 pm | DCC 330 |
| MANE 1960 Mechanics I | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| MANE 2110 NUMPE | DCC 239 |
| 7 pm – 9 pm - Tues/Wed/Thurs | |
| MANE 2710 Thermodynamics | DCC 239 |
| 7 pm – 9 pm - Mon/Tues/Thurs | |
| MANE 2710 Thermodynamics SUN 6 pm - 8 pm | DCC 330 |
| MANE 2720 Fluids | DCC 239 |
| 7 pm – 9 pm - Tues | |
| MANE 4030 EMD | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| MANE 4080 Propulsion Systems | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| MANE 4100 Spaceflight Mech | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| MANE 4500 Mod Con | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| MATH 1010 Calc I | DCC 232 |
| 7 pm – 9 pm - Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs | |
| MATH 1010 Calc I SUN 6 pm - 8 pm | DCC 330 |
| MATH 1020 Calc II | DCC 232 |
| 7 pm – 9 pm - Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs | |
| MATH 1020 Calc II SUN 6 pm - 8 pm | DCC 330 |
| MATH 2010 Multivar. Calc | DCC 235 |
| 7 pm – 9 pm - Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs | |
| MATH 2010 Multivar Calc. SUN 6 pm - 8 pm | DCC 330 |
| MATH 2400 Intro Diff Eq | DCC 235 |
| 7 pm – 9 pm - Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs | |
| MATH 2400 Intro Diff Eq SUN 6 pm - 8 pm | DCC 330 |
| MATH 4090 Found. Of Analy | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| MATH 4100 Linear Algebra | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| MATH 4300 Intro Complex Var. | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| MATH 4600 Advance Calc | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| MATH 4800 Numerical Comp | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| MATP 4400 Intro Data Math | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| MATP 4600 Probability Theory and Appl | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| MATP 4820 Comp Optimization | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| MTLE 4100 - Thermodynamics of Materials | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| MTLE 4200 - Elect. and Optical Prop. of Matls | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| PHIL 2140 Intro to Logic | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| PHYS 1100 Physics I | DCC 236 |
| 7 pm – 9 pm - Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs | |
| PHYS 1100 Physics I SUN 6 pm - 8 pm | DCC 330 |
| PHYS 1140 Introductory Modern Physics | Small Group – Contact ALAC@rpi.edu |
| PHYS 1200 Physics II | DCC 236 |
| 7 pm – 9 pm - Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs | |
| PHYS 1200 Physics II SUN 6 pm - 8 pm | DCC 330 |
Learning Support
The Rensselaer academic experience brings many new and exciting challenges to some of the finest young minds in the world. For such students, high school work may have been easy, with no need to study or to think about how to study. The more challenging college curriculum, though, may require learning new skills to adapt to the new circumstances. Academic support is also available for students referred by Rensselaer’s Office of Disability Services.
ALEKS New Pilot Math Tutoring Program
What is ALEKS (Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces)?
ALEKS is an AI online program to help students prepare for Rensselaer’s Calculus 1. ALEKS develops an individualized program based the student’s math skills.
The first step: Assessment
Students take the Initial Knowledge Check (IKC) of 25 questions that takes 60-90 minutes to complete. After the IKC, the students can view their strengths and weaknesses and begin to refresh their knowledge on forgotten topics, including trigonometry, linear functions, Vectors, Algebraic expressions, etc.
ALEKS Prep for Calculus at RPI:
- Is a pilot program for a selected number of entering first year students
- Has an Initial Knowledge Check
- Provides Individualized Prep and Learning Modules that are self-paced
To complete the program and be better prepared for the fall semester, we will ask a selected number of participants to be involved in SIX-week math preparatory learning modules from end of June through August. What you need to know:
- ALEKS Program will strengthen, and refresh knowledge needed for Fall
- At Rensselaer, students cannot use calculators in their math classes
- SIX weeks starts when the student hits “Select;”
- The student’s commitment would be 4-5 hours per week for six weeks
- Once the student starts the program, individualized work module and prompts will be given to help students through problems sets and encourage completion
- Participants who complete 80%+ of the program will be put into a lottery for a $400 gift card to the RPI bookstore
- ALAC and RPI’s Chatbot #Puckman will reach out to students periodically to encourage and troubleshoot any problems with the program
Due to the loss in math skills nationally over the pandemic years, Rensselaer has noticed an impact on our students’ knowledge level and recall of preparatory material for Calculus 1. Since math classes do not allow calculators, crib sheets or any other aids when taking a quiz or exams it is extremely important students can recall and use concepts from Pre-Calculus. Rensselaer wants to help students strengthen those skills by giving them an opportunity to practice and review topics. It is designed to help students regain that knowledge and succeed academically in the long run.
FAQ
Who will be identified for ALEKS Prep for Calculus?
The Undergraduate Education Office will work with Admissions to select the students who would most benefit to participate in the program.
How long it will take to complete the program?
The program will be active for 6 weeks, and for the best practice, you can expect 4-5 hours of commitment per week. We strongly encourage you to practice and complete tasks weekly to successfully complete the program.
How long do I have access to my Prep and Learning Module?
You will have 6 weeks of access to your Prep and Learning module. Access to the prep course will not begin until you select start on the top of your screen. DO NOT select into the Prep and Learning Module until you are ready to start working.
When do I take the ALEKS PPL Assessment?
ALEKS will be open on June 26, 2023. Designated students will receive instructions on how to sign up and start the ALEKS PPL Assessment.
Is there a fee for using ALEKS PPL? It is FREE!
Do I need to install any software or plug-ins prior to taking the ALEKS Placement Assessment? No. There are no required plug-ins or applets required with your use of ALEKS. As long as you have access to the internet and are using an updated browser, you should not experience difficulties in accessing ALEKS. For a list of preferred browsers, please review the ALEKS system requirements on their support site: http://www.aleks.com/support/system_requirements
What are ALEKS Knowledge Checks? While working in a Prep and Learning Module, you will periodically complete a Knowledge Check to make sure you have mastered the topics you gained in Learning Mode. If you do not show mastery during the Knowledge Check, the topics will be added back into your Learning Pie so you can review them again.
Technical Support
What do I do if my web browser gets stuck or my computer crashes while I'm working in ALEKS? Simply close the browser, or log out and log back in. ALEKS will resume exactly where you left off, with no loss of your previous answers.
Where can I get help with ALEKS?
Remote Learning
Here you will find exectuive functioning information and tips that can help you during your online learning.
Learning Assistant Program
The Learning Assistant (LA) is a Rensselaer student who is responsible for assisting first-year students in becoming active, independent and successful learners. LA's are assigned to a specific residence hall where they reside and assume responsibility for interacting frequently with the residents of that hall and providing academic-related programs, information and assistance. The LA provides a direct academic support service and acts as a liaison between Advising and Learning Assistance Center and their undergraduates.