One-on-one physics and mathematics tutoring in person or online. Located in Austin, TX area
I teach high school and college students, from algebra and precalculus through calculus, AP Physics, and university coursework. Sessions follow your class and your textbook, and we work on whatever is due next.
The six-step method
In my experience, students who struggle in physics usually don't have a reliable way to start a problem. So one of the first things I teach is a six-step method that works on nearly every problem in an introductory physics course.
- Draw, sketch, and label your geometry
- Choose your favorite coordinates
- Decompose your geometry into your coordinates
- Call Galileo, Newton, Joule (F = ma, and so on)
- Plug in
- Count the number of equations and the number of unknowns
Subjects & Levels
Middle school foundations through upper-division university coursework, along with preparation for the SAT, ACT, and AP exams.
High SchoolPhysics & Mathematics
- Algebra I & II
- Geometry & Trigonometry
- Precalculus
- Calculus AB / BC
- Physics (on-level & honors)
- AP Physics 1, 2, and C
College & UniversityAdvanced Coursework
- Calculus I, II, III
- Differential Equations
- Linear Algebra
- Mechanics & Electromagnetism
- Modern & Quantum Physics
- Mathematical Methods for Physics
Test PreparationExams & Admissions
- SAT Math
- ACT Math & Science
- AP exam review & practice tests
- Final exam intensives
- College placement exams
- Timing and test-day strategy
Free Lecture Notes
I wrote these course texts for my own students, and anyone is welcome to download them. They are also a good way to see how I explain things before you get in touch.
Algebra-Based Physics
A full introductory course that starts with units and measurement and works through mechanics and energy. Written for AP Physics 1 and on-level high school physics.
Download PDFIntroduction to Quantum Theory
An undergraduate introduction to quantum mechanics. It begins with the abstract formalism — state vectors, operators, and measurement — and then connects the machinery to physical systems.
Download PDFDifferential Geometry
Manifolds, tensors, and curvature for physics students, building toward the mathematics used in general relativity and field theory. Assumes comfort with vector calculus and linear algebra.
Download PDFWorked examples from my notebook
These are scans of handwritten notes and worked problems from my own tutoring sessions. They are rougher than the texts above, but they show how I work through a topic step by step.
Algebra, Trig & Precalculus
Calculus & Differential Equations
Electricity & Magnetism
How Tutoring Works
Here is what to expect when you get in touch.
Free consultation
We start with a short phone call about the course, the syllabus, and how things have been going. Often the real difficulty is not the current chapter but a gap from an earlier course or trouble with test timing, so I use this call to figure out where the problem actually is. There is no charge for it.
A plan for your course
Sessions are built around your class — your textbook, your homework, and your test dates. If we find a gap from an earlier course, we take the time to fill it in properly.
Consistent progress
Most students meet weekly, in person around Leander or online by video. I assign practice problems between sessions and keep you and your parents updated on how things are going.
At a glance
I am an independent tutor. Every session is one-on-one, and every session is with me personally.
About the Tutor
I'm R.C. Dennis. I earned my B.S. and M.S. in physics (advanced to Ph.D. candidacy until medical issues led to my retirement) and spent several years doing published research in nanomaterials, photonics, and atomic physics as an NSF PREM researcher.
Over the years I have written my own course notes, covering a variety of topics. They are free to download, and I teach from them in my sessions.
Every student's situation is a little different. Some need to go back and rebuild their algebra before calculus will make sense. Others understand the concepts but lose points to setup errors, unit mistakes, or time pressure. One-on-one tutoring gives us the room to work on whichever it is.
I meet local students in person, and everyone else online via Zoom. I serve Leander, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Round Rock, and the greater Austin area.
Get in TouchResearch
Alongside tutoring, I stay active in physics research. My publications, conference talks, and current work are listed below.
In graduate school I did experimental work in nanomaterials science, studying rare-earth-doped nanomaterials as an NSF PREM fellow.
Since 2012 I have been working independently on a gauge-theoretic formulation of variational inference and participatory 'it from bit' agent based modeling which connects ideas from gauge theory and information geometry to attention in modern machine learning models. The project includes a full PyTorch implementation, available on my GitHub, and several manuscripts in preparation.
Peer-Reviewed Publications
- G. A. Kumar, M. Pokhrel, A. Martinez, R. C. Dennis, I. L. Villegas, and D. K. Sardar, "Synthesis and spectroscopy of color tunable Y2O2S:Yb3+,Er3+ phosphors with intense emission," Journal of Alloys and Compounds 513, 559–565 (2012).
- J. Yang, R. C. Dennis, and D. K. Sardar, "Room-temperature synthesis of flowerlike Ag nanostructures consisting of single Ag nanoplates," Materials Research Bulletin 46, 1080–1084 (2011). Cover article.
- K. L. Nash, R. C. Dennis, N. J. Ray, J. B. Gruber, and D. K. Sardar, "Absorption intensities, emission cross sections, and crystal field analysis of selected intermanifold transitions of Ho3+ in Ho3+:Y2O3 nanocrystals," Journal of Applied Physics 106, 063117 (2009).
- K. L. Nash, R. C. Dennis, J. B. Gruber, and D. K. Sardar, "Intensity analysis and energy-level modeling of Nd3+ in Nd3+:Y2O3 nanocrystals in polymeric hosts," Journal of Applied Physics 105, 033102 (2009).
Conference Presentations
- R. C. Dennis, et al, "Temperature dependencies of linewidths, positions, and line shifts of spectral transitions of trivalent neodymium ions in ceramic Nd3+:Y2O3." Fall 2010 Meeting of the Texas Section of the APS, AAPT, and SPS, University of Texas at San Antonio, October 21–23, 2010.
- R. C. Dennis, et al, "Internal and external radiative decay engineering of rare-earth-doped nanocrystalline sesquioxides." Fall 2010 Meeting of the Texas Section of the APS, AAPT, and SPS, University of Texas at San Antonio, October 21–23, 2010.
- R. C. Dennis, et al, "Synthesis of fluorescent nanocrystalline geometrically frustrated Nd3+:BaGd2O4." Fall 2010 Meeting of the Texas Section of the APS, AAPT, and SPS, University of Texas at San Antonio, October 21–23, 2010.
- R. C. Dennis, et al, "Comparative study of Nd3+ in various nanocrystalline sesquioxide hosts Nd3+:RE2O3 (RE = Y, Gd, La, Yb, Sc)." Fall 2010 Meeting of the Texas Section of the APS, AAPT, and SPS, University of Texas at San Antonio, October 21–23, 2010.
- R. C. Dennis, et al, "Intensity analysis and energy-level modeling of Nd3+ in Nd3+:Y2O3 nanocrystals in polymeric hosts." Spring 2009 Meeting of the Texas Section of the APS, AAPT, and SPS, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas, April 2–4, 2009.
- R. C. Dennis, K. L. Nash, J. B. Gruber, and D. K. Sardar, "Spectroscopic analysis of Nd3+:Y2O3 nanocrystals for photonic and biomedical applications." Third San Antonio Biophotonics Symposium, University of Texas at San Antonio, March 28–29, 2008.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are your rates?
Rates depend on the subject level and the format. Call or send a message and I will go over the options with you.
How long is a typical session?
Most sessions run sixty to ninety minutes. For calculus and physics I usually recommend ninety, since working through a full problem set takes time. Exam review sessions sometimes run longer.
Do you tutor online?
Yes. We meet via Zoom with a shared whiteboard, so we can write out derivations and diagrams together.
Where do in-person sessions take place?
In Leander and the surrounding towns. We settle the location when you book; a public library, at home, or anywhere comfortable.
My student is behind. Is it too late to start?
Usually not. Focused work on the specific topics being tested can turn a grade around, even partway into a semester. On the consultation call I will give you an honest assessment of what is realistic in the time left.
Do you help with homework, or just concepts?
Both. We work through assigned problems together, since that is what you are graded on, but my goal is always to get you to the point where you can solve the next problem on your own.
What's your cancellation policy?
Please give 24 hours' notice to reschedule. I make exceptions for illness and emergencies.
Book a Free Consultation
Call, or send a message with the course you are taking and what you would like help with. I usually reply within one business day.
Leander and surrounding towns, by arrangement
Monday – Friday, 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Leander, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Round Rock, Austin — and online nationwide