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Ph.D. Astrophysicist Tutoring Math, Physics, & Astronomy
Ryan H.

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2 hours tutoring

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Hourly Rate: $50
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About Ryan

Bio

Hi, I’m Ryan! I graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arizona Honors College with dual bachelor’s degrees in astronomy and physics and a minor in mathematics. I then earned my Ph.D. in astrophysics from the University of Colorado Boulder. My academic background prepares me to tutor math, physics, astronomy, and related STEM subjects through the undergraduate level, with particular depth in astronomy through early graduate coursework.

While in graduate school, I worked as a...

Hi, I’m Ryan! I graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arizona Honors College with dual bachelor’s degrees in astronomy and physics and a minor in mathematics. I then earned my Ph.D. in astrophysics from the University of Colorado Boulder. My academic background prepares me to tutor math, physics, astronomy, and related STEM subjects through the undergraduate level, with particular depth in astronomy through early graduate coursework.

While in graduate school, I worked as a teaching assistant for three semesters in undergraduate astrophysics courses. My responsibilities included leading lab sections, helping students work through quantitative problems, answering questions during office hours, and explaining challenging material in different ways when the first explanation did not click. I also have extensive science-outreach experience communicating technical ideas to students and general audiences, which has taught me how to make unfamiliar concepts feel approachable without talking down to anyone.

My tutoring style is inquisitive, encouraging, and tailored to the student in front of me. I like asking questions, working through examples together, and connecting abstract material to real-world experiences whenever that helps build intuition. As a neurodivergent person, I understand that students can have very different learning styles, confidence levels, and barriers to getting started—especially in demanding high-school or college STEM classes. I aim to create a supportive, low-pressure space where students can ask questions freely, strengthen their problem-solving skills, and build confidence alongside subject knowledge.

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Education

University of Arizona
Astronomy
University of Colorado Boulder
PhD

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Approved Subjects

Algebra 1

Algebra 1

Algebra is the foundation for nearly every area of physics, astronomy, and higher-level math I have studied and taught. I can help students with equations, inequalities, graphing, functions, word problems, and translating between symbols and real-world situations. My goal is to make algebra feel less like memorized rules and more like a useful language for solving problems.
Algebra 2

Algebra 2

My training in physics and astrophysics required strong algebra skills, from manipulating equations to working with functions, systems, exponents, logarithms, and complex expressions. I can help students prepare for precalculus, calculus, and science courses by strengthening both technique and understanding. I emphasize clear problem setup, careful notation, and recognizing patterns across different types of problems.
Astronomy

Astronomy

I hold a Ph.D. in astrophysics from the University of Colorado Boulder and dual bachelor’s degrees in astronomy and physics from the University of Arizona. I have taught undergraduate astrophysics as a graduate TA, including lab sections and office hours, and I have extensive experience explaining astronomy concepts through outreach. I can help with introductory astronomy, observational astronomy, stellar physics, solar physics, spectroscopy, and early graduate-level astrophysics topics.
Calculus

Calculus

My physics and astrophysics training required extensive use of single-variable and multivariable calculus, differential equations, and applied mathematical modeling. I use calculus regularly to describe motion, waves, radiation, fluid behavior, and physical systems. I can help students understand derivatives, integrals, limits, series, and applications by connecting the math to concrete physical examples.
ESL/ESOL

ESL/ESOL

While I am not bilingual, I have extensive experience communicating complex technical ideas clearly to students, collaborators, and general audiences. My academic background also gives me experience with formal writing, presentations, and adapting explanations for different audiences. I am best suited to helping English learners with academic English, STEM vocabulary, conversational clarity, reading comprehension, and confidence in asking and answering questions.
Geometry

Geometry

Geometry is essential to physics and astronomy, where it appears in vectors, orbits, optics, coordinate systems, and spatial reasoning. I can help students with angles, triangles, circles, proofs, coordinate geometry, area, volume, and geometric problem solving. I focus on helping students understand why relationships work, not just which formula to use.
Linux

Linux

I have used Linux/UNIX systems throughout my graduate and postdoctoral research work in astrophysics. My experience includes command-line navigation, Bash scripting, remote systems, file management, scientific software workflows, and running jobs on high-performance computing systems. I can help beginners become more comfortable with the terminal and understand practical Linux tools for coursework, research, or programming.
Physical Science

Physical Science

My background in physics, astronomy, and astrophysics gives me broad experience with the core ideas of physical science, including motion, forces, energy, waves, light, matter, and the structure of the universe. I have taught and explained these concepts in both university teaching settings and public science outreach. I focus on helping students build intuition, connect formulas to real-world examples, and become more confident with scientific reasoning.
Physics

Physics

I earned dual bachelor’s degrees in physics and astronomy, followed by a Ph.D. in astrophysics, so physics has been central to my academic and research training. I can tutor mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves, optics, thermodynamics, modern physics, and introductory quantum physics. My teaching approach emphasizes conceptual understanding first, then careful problem-solving strategies.
Prealgebra

Prealgebra

Prealgebra skills are the building blocks for the math and science courses I have used throughout my physics and astrophysics training. I can help students with fractions, decimals, ratios, negative numbers, variables, equations, and word problems. My approach is patient and supportive, with an emphasis on reducing math anxiety and building confidence step by step.
Precalculus

Precalculus

My physics and astronomy background depends heavily on the skills taught in precalculus, including functions, graphs, trigonometry, exponentials, logarithms, and algebraic manipulation. I can help students strengthen the foundations they need before moving into calculus or college-level STEM courses. I focus on identifying where confusion begins and building from there with clear examples and step-by-step reasoning.
Python

Python

I have used Python extensively in astrophysics research for data analysis, visualization, numerical calculations, and working with scientific data. My experience includes tools such as NumPy, SciPy, pandas, matplotlib, Astropy, and Jupyter notebooks. I can help students learn Python fundamentals, debug code, analyze data, and develop practical programming habits for STEM coursework or research.
Quantum Physics

Quantum Physics

My physics and astrophysics training included quantum mechanics and its applications to atomic physics, radiation, spectroscopy, and astrophysical plasmas. I can help with introductory quantum physics topics such as wave-particle duality, the Schrödinger equation, operators, expectation values, energy levels, angular momentum, and basic atomic structure. I focus on connecting the abstract math to physical interpretation so the subject feels less mysterious.
Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics and statistical physics are important parts of physics and astrophysics, especially in topics such as radiation, plasmas, stellar atmospheres, and energy transfer. I can help students with temperature, heat, work, entropy, ideal gases, the laws of thermodynamics, and thermal processes. My approach emphasizes both the conceptual meaning of the laws and the problem-solving steps needed to apply them.
Trigonometry

Trigonometry

Trigonometry is a core tool in physics and astronomy, from waves and circular motion to coordinate systems and telescope pointing. I can help students with unit-circle definitions, graphing trig functions, identities, inverse trig functions, right-triangle problems, and applications. I emphasize visual understanding and real-world examples so trig becomes more intuitive rather than a collection of disconnected formulas.

Examples of Expertise

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Hourly Rate: $50
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