Math & Science Center

Welcome to the Math & Science Center!

The Math & Science Center (MSC) is an academic support center on NOVA’s Annandale Campus. Covering 40-45 select courses in Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering and Accounting each semester, our goal is to provide academic support to students enrolled at the Annandale Campus. The MSC focuses on that support with a diverse group of peer tutors mirroring the campus student population. Questions about the center? Call us at 703-323-3139 or email us at tutoring@nvcc.edu

Services
 

Appointment-based & Drop-in/On-demand Tutoring

Students can schedule an appointment with a math or science tutor, both in-person or virtually by visiting NOVA's Tutoring Resources web page. Click on the Request Online Services button to schedule an appointment through Navigate. Students can also send an email to tutoring@nvcc.edu if they have any questions. You are welcome, during posted Center hours, to meet with tutors without an appointment. A schedule detailing when tutors are available is posted at the entrance and linked to this page. When you arrive, please sign in to the kiosk and follow the prompts in Navigate to sign up for the course you are seeking assistance in. A staff member will show you to one of our tutoring tables. There are also desktop computers for online work as well as special tables with mounted tablets for working with visual math/science. Tutors will circulate around the center answering questions from various students, courses and topics. Please be aware and patient that tutors will be working with more than one student at a time. While you are waiting, it is a good opportunity to work on your own or collaborate with a student also working with that course or assignment. Textbooks and calculators are available for use, but only in the center. You can leave whenever you are finished. There is no need to sign-out of the kiosk.
***Covid-19 Precautions*** We are practicing social distancing and limiting the number of people we have in the center. We are limiting tutoring sessions to up to four (4) students per tutor and we are rotating students every fifty (50) minutes if there is a queue. Please be advised that during peak times in the semester (before exams like midterms and finals), queues may be long and we will be strict on rotating students in and out of the center in order to give as many students as possible an opportunity to work with a tutor.

Virtual Tutoring Appointments

Students can make up to two (2) appointments per week per subject for a one-on-one virtual tutoring appointment. To make a virtual tutoring appointment, students can visit NOVA’s Tutoring Resources web page and click on the Request Online Services button to and then choose the "virtual tutoring" option.  Students will receive a confirmation email with appointment details – please check your email to make sure you’ve scheduled the correct type of appointment and to confirm that you've received a link to a Zoom meeting for your appointment.

Software / Computers / OER

The Math and Science Center is equipped with desktop computers and iPads that are available for use within the Center during hours of operation. We provide links to Open Educational Resources for the classes that we support. You may access online homework websites with your passcode, and make use of Microsoft Office.
Tutoring
 

Spring 2023 Tutoring Schedule

Click here for the schedule

What to Expect in a Tutoring Session:

  • Tutors will help you with your work. They can assist you in questions that are not related to your grade, such as textbook questions, test review and online homework.
  • Tutors will assist you in discovering your learning style -- the most effective way for you to learn.

What Not to Expect in a Tutoring Session:

  • Tutors will not do your work for you. Tutors will help you to determine the answers on your own by asking you questions.
  • Tutors are not going to teach you the course material. You must attend class, do assigned reading and take notes in class, in order to come prepared to see a tutor.
  • We cannot answer questions from unverified sources, or for take-home quizzes and tests, exam corrections, extra credits, and lab report assignments or projects.
OER (Open Educational Resources)
Various classes supported by the Math & Science Center make use of Open Educational Resources (OER). The following links are provided.

MTH 265 Calculus III Books

MTH 267 Differential Equations Book

MTH 288 Discrete Mathematics Books

FAQ

How can I reach the Center?

We are located in Room CFH-405 on the Annandale campus. You can contact the Math & Science Center at 703.323.3139.

How long is one session?

Students sign up for tutoring assistance at the Math & Science Center. A tutor will work with each student 10-15 minutes, and move to the next student. A student can sign up multiple times for help, and then work on their own while a tutor is with other students. We are limiting the time students can spend in the center (if there are students waiting) due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Please see above about our Covid precautions.

What can tutors assist me with?

We CAN help students with questions that are not related to their grade, such as textbook questions, test review and online homework. We CANNOT answer questions from unverified sources, or for take-home quizzes & tests, exam corrections, extra credits, lab report assignments or projects.

Do you have a list of private tutors? Do you provide tutoring outside of NOVA?

We don’t recommend specific private tutors, but we suggest you Google “private math tutor” and the name of your city/community to find a private tutor near year. Private tutors also post fliers on campus offering their services. We don’t recommend specific tutors as it could be considered a conflict of interest, improper use of college equipment, or solicitation.

How can I get help with the Virginia Placement Test?

We cannot assist students preparing for the math placement test, but NOVA Libraries provides access to sample questions at: http://libguides.nvcc.edu/vptmath A Virginia Practice Test is also available at: https://college.measuredsuccess.com Instructions to register for this practice test are at: http://libguides.nvcc.edu/ld.php?content_id=14801447

Do you provide tutoring for MTT classes?

We provide help for MTH classes. MTT class support is available in CT105, or at https://www.nvcc.edu/academics/developmental/math-lab.html

Can I check out textbooks and calculators?

You can check out textbooks and calculators, but they must remain in the Math & Science Center. We ask for a Student ID card or Driver’s License in exchange while you borrow the item(s).

Do you support Extended Time Tutoring?

The Office of Disability Services has discontinued the provision of Extended Time Tutoring as an accommodation on students' MOAs. All NOVA students are entitled to the same amount of tutoring time, in accordance with individual centers' policies.

Do you help with Microsoft Office, FTP, computer literacy or MS Word document creation?

The Open Computer Lab in the CT Building on the Annandale Campus provides support for these type of questions. They may be reached at 703.232.3036.