Study Resources & Tutoring

Study Resources

Tutoring

PA Scholars Peer Tutors

In collaboration with the Student Learning Center (SLC), the Physics and Astronomy (PA) Scholars Program provides drop-in tutoring for the following courses: PHYS 5-series, PHYS 7-series, PHYS 105, PHYS 110A, PHYS 111A/B, PHYS 112, PHYS 137A, ASTRON 7A, and ASTRON 160. Drop-in service for Python learning is also available.

Fall service hours will be announced in late August. For the latest service hours, please see the SLC Science Service Schedule.

Fall 2022 tutor information will be posted in the first few weeks of the semester.


Berkeley Physics Directed Reading Program

The Berkeley Physics Directed Reading Program allows undergraduates in the physical sciences to read on special physics topics that aren't a part of their standard coursework, with the assistance and guidance of a graduate student generally in the Earth and Planetary Sciences, Astronomy or Physics Departments.

There are several topics and courses which are not always offered on a semester basis and we recognize the benefit that arises when taught directly by another physicist. We wish to provide an opportunity to explore interesting subjects such as specialized topics in biophysics, condensed matter physics, mathematical physics, chemical physics, EPS, geophysics, fluid dynamics, astrophysics, chemical physics, gravitational physics, plasma physics, AMO, cosmology, quantum field theory, string theory, quantum information and essentially anything else while providing an additional pathway where undergraduates can connect with graduate students.

Furthermore, we're aware that the barrier of entry to theoretical physics research is extremely high during undergraduate years and we hope DRP helps bridge that gap. This does not restrict the program to only theorists.

We encourage everybody to join. Please visit the PDRP website for details.


Libraries

The UC Berkeley Library connects students and scholars to the world of information and ideas. The Library consists of 20 campus libraries—including the Doe/Moffitt Libraries, the Bancroft Library, the C. V. Starr East Asian Library and subject specialty libraries. 

With a collection of more than 11 million print volumes, over 800,000 ebooks, and approximately 72,000 electronic journals, the Library offers extensive collections in all formats and robust services to connect users with those collections and build their related-research skills.

The Physics-Astronomy Library was temporarily closed on March 21, 2022 and it will reopen temporarily as a study center in Fall 2022. Study center hours will be 11:00am - 4:00pm Monday through Friday starting Monday, August 22nd, 2022. The library's Pharaoh printing station will remain in its new location in the Physics Department main office (366 Physics North). The printing can be accessed during business hours Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. 

The Physics-Astronomy library houses our major collections of physics and astronomy materials and licenses a wide array of digital resources to support the research and teaching needs of the Department of Astronomy and Department of Physics. These books will be cordoned off to accommodate the space's transition to becoming a study center, but they are still available for checkout through the UCB Library site: https://www.lib.berkeley.edu/.

The library provides access to major databases such as the Astrophysics Data System, arXiv, INSPEC, Optics InfoBase, SpringerMaterials, and Web of Science as well as ebook and electronic journal collections from major publishers such as the American Institute of Physics, American Physical Society, Cambridge University Press, Elsevier, Oxford University Press, Springer, Wiley and more. 


Useful Links

Bancroft Library
Physics-Astronomy Library

Residence Hall Tutoring 

Academic Centers located in the residence halls offer free drop-in tutoring for residents. 

Private Physics Tutoring

Explore our list of private tutors