A chemistry tutor provides help with chemistry to students. A chemistry tutor often works with students on a one-on-one basis to provide additional assistance out of the classroom. A tutor may at times work with a group of students as well.
In the United States, many students take chemistry in high school. This science requirement teaches students basic chemical reactions. An understanding of both mathematical and scientific principles is required to be successful in chemistry.
Some students struggle with their chemistry classes. Understanding chemical equations, doing chemistry labs, and completing the other coursework may be difficult. Despite their difficulty, students may need to pass the course to get credits required to graduate high school.
Students who are struggling in chemistry may either hire a chemistry tutor or be provided with a chemistry tutor by the school. If a student elects to hire a private tutor, the chemistry tutor receives financial compensation from the student, or perhaps more commonly, from the student's parents. If the school provides the tutor, commonly the tutor works on a volunteer basis as part of his community service to the school.
The tutor, whether he is a private tutor who is paid, or a tutor provided by the school, assists the students in learning the basic fundamentals of chemistry. In particular, he or she will pinpoint the student's greatest areas of deficiency. This can be as simple as helping the troubled student to learn the periodic table, or as complex as helping the student learn to form hypotheses, complete experiments, or balance chemical equations.
Chemistry is also taught at the advanced level, the college level, and the postgraduate level. In high school, some students take advanced placement or AP chemistry to earn college credit. Students in these advanced courses may also seek tutors to help them to learn the concepts of the class, so they can score a four or five on the AP, which is the minimum score required to be awarded college credit.
At the college level, chemistry becomes even more complex. Students may take organic chemistry, which is a prerequisite to gaining admission to medical school or veterinary school, as well as a requirement for other science careers such as biologist or chemist. A college level chemistry tutor will provide support for these advanced classes, helping students to understand difficult and complex concepts.
Much like at the high school level, a college level tutor may be a private tutor who works for compensation, or he may be working in the student services office in an effort to volunteer and give back. In either situation, the tutor must be experienced and adept in chemistry. He also must be able to teach and clearly explain complex concepts to others.