Biology, Chemistry, Math, Computing Tutoring

Hi, I started professional tutoring just over two years ago, but prior to that I have a lot of experience as a scientist, and have done lots of tutoring to classmates, coworkers, and undergraduate students. I have also done a little undergraduate teaching. Before and after I turned professional, those I've taught have always found my explanations to be clear and straightforward, so my main strength in tutoring is giving students a clearer understanding of the subject, and, when teaching biology and chemistry, some practical understanding of how some scientific techniques actually work.

In the technical subjects that I'm licensed to teach, I've always found that success involves developing a solid understanding of the concepts and accumulating some experience in basic problem-solving techniques for the subject. Combining that with what I've written above, I'm great at helping a student who is struggling with their teacher's or textbook's approach to the subject, who needs help with learning how to do common homework problems, or just needs someone to help get them unstuck when they get hung up on some issue or problem.

Allan's Subjects

Math:	algebra 1, algebra 2, geometry, linear algebra, prealgebra, precalculus, trigonometry
Science:	anatomy, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, genetics, microbiology, organic chemistry, physical science, physiology
English:	vocabulary
Computer:	C++, computer programming, computer science, general computer, HTML, Java, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, SQL, UNIX
History:	American history, European history, social studies, world history
Elementary Education:	vocabulary
Business:	Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word
Corporate Training:	C++, general computer, HTML, Java, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, SQL
Homeschool:	algebra 1, algebra 2, biology, chemistry, geometry, prealgebra, precalculus

Algebra 1

I have helped several students with basic algebra concepts. As with pre-algebra, I encourage the students to see the underlying common sense of basic algebra concepts, and to build their problem solving strategies on them.

Biology

Biology is one of the main subjects I tutor, mostly with AP students. Having spent much of my adult life using biology concepts, In particular molecular biology and the fundamentals of biochemistry, I have an in-depth understanding of most of the concepts a student will encounter at the AP level. I've especially had success teaching students who are running into difficulties when their biology classes start to involve chemical concepts, like pH, organic chemistry, and energy conversion. I'm a... Read More

Chemistry

Chemistry is one of the main subjects I tutor. Having spent much of my adult life using chemical concepts daily, I have an in-depth understanding of most of the concepts a student will encounter in high school or introductory college chemistry. As a tutor, I have ways of explaining chemical concepts in a clear and intuitive fashion, and I know good practices for doing common calculations and problem types reliably. Often, I can identify where a student is confused by a lack of background material,... Read More

Geometry

I have helped several students with high-school geometry. As with algebra, I encourage the students to see the underlying common sense of basic geometry definitions and concepts, and to build their problem solving strategies on them.

Prealgebra

I have helped people, including elementary school students, with basic math concepts including multiplication, division, and fractions. As with a lot of my teaching, my emphasis is on reminding the students of the underlying common-sense concepts and let them build their understandings and problem solving habits based on them.

Precalculus

Precalculus represents the upper limit of the math I'm prepared to teach (I have helped some pre-calculus students with introductory calculus, but ONLY introductory calculus). I'm practiced at explaining functions and function concepts, the forms, graphs and solution techniques for linear, quadratic, rational, polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions, conics equations, trigonometric identities and equations, inequalities, the binomial theorem, sequences and series, basic... Read More

Computer Programming

I've done computer programming of some sort or another as a minor school or job requirement for the better part of my life. I got serious about learning modern programming a few years ago as part of a career change, and have gotten an associates degree in computer programming, learning C++, Visual Basic and Java in the process, as well as database languages like SQL. I've mostly tutored Java and SQL, but I've managed to help students with the basics of other languages as well, mostly by emphasizing... Read More

Genetics

Having spent much of my adult life doing molecular biology, I am well acquainted with the concepts of genetics. I have tutored AP students with classical Mendelian Genetics, and I'm well acquainted with the molecular genetic techniques that are often included in modern genetics courses. I'm strongest at the molecular genetics end of genetics. I'm a bit weaker at the mathematical and statistical end of the subject, but I'm usually able to answer students questions adequately.

Microsoft Access

Between the Summer of 2007 and Fall 2009, I took three community college courses that covered Microsoft Access 2003 and Microsoft Access 2007. These covered Access, especially the 2007 version, in great detail. I learned how to design and create tables, assigning keys and proper field types, setting validation rules, enforcing referential integrity between tables. and both Manual and automated ways of populating tables with data. I also learned how to update and delete table data and generate... Read More

Microsoft Outlook

While the Microsoft Office courses I've taken generally skipped Outlook, I'm currently helping a student with Outlook 2007, and am also reading up on Outlook 2010. Compared to many of the Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook is relatively straightforward, but as always, knowing the features is key to getting the most out of the software. Outlook is more than an E-mail tool - it allows you to coordinate E-mail and attachments with scheduling and time management. When I tutor students with this sort... Read More

Microsoft Windows

A certain amount of the tutoring I do is with students who are unfamiliar or lack confidence working with their computer, usually one running the Windows operating system. I've been working with windows machines since the beginning of the 1990's, and I'm familiar with the operating system basics up to Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista. I don't think I'm someone you would turn to for an in-depth understanding of these Windows operating systems, but I do know the basics of navigating them,... Read More

Organic Chemistry

I took organic chemistry at the University of British Columbia as part of my undergraduate program there in the 1990's. I hadn't received any training in it in high school (my wonderful high school chemistry teacher had sacrificed it to make room for a thorough coverage of stoichiometry and other core materials), and I'd only received an introduction to the subject in first year chemistry at UBC.

At first I had a rough time with it. UBC tended to use certain undergraduate courses... Read More

Read all subject qualifications »

Education

University of British Columbia (Biochemistry) University of Alberta (PhD)

Mr. Sharp is the Best: excellent, gentle and patient! — Only wonderful things can be said about Allan Sharp's tutoring. He has helped me through some very difficult pedagogy. At the top of Allan's many outstanding qualities are his patience, gentle non-judgmental manner and his even pacing: all keyed compassionately to each student's individual needs. His relaxed yet focused demeanor is surpassed only by his knowledge of the material and willingness ...

— Bergman from Seattle, WA

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Hourly Fee

Standard Hourly Fee: $25.00

With Prepaid Discount: $21.25 - $23.75

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Travel Policy

Allan will travel within 15 miles of Kirkland, WA 98033.

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$200 - $399	$190 - $379	5%
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Allan S.