Sean M.
San Diego, CA
Proven Chemistry, Biology, and Math tutor and College Professor!
University of California, San Diego
BiochemistrySan Diego State University
Master'sAbout Sean
I've taught college level Chemistry and Organic Chemistry at the Community Colleges since 1998. You can go directly to RateMyProfessor.com and type my name for more reviews on my teaching abilities. My expertise is in developing entire courses and designing labs for both Organic and General Chemistry. My tutoring experience started back in 1994
Policies
Cancellation
24 hours notice requiredTravel Radius
Travels within 40 miles of San Diego, CA 92115Sean offers online lessons
Sean is approved to conduct lessons through Wyzant Online. Wyzant Online allows students and tutors to work remotely via video, audio, and collaborative whiteboard tools. For more information about how online tutoring works, check out Wyzant Online.
If you’re interested in online lessons, message Sean to get started.
"Great Tutor!"
- Karen, San Diego, CA on 2/7/13Sean knows his stuff and he's very enthusiastic about teaching it. I have been seeing Sean for organic chemistry. The material is hard but he makes it easy to understand. During our sessions we go over material that was covered in class and even get ahead and preview the next topic that will be discussed for my upcoming lecture, which makes it easier for me to follow along and understand my instructor. The last time I took chemistry was almost 10 years ago, so I remembered absolutely nothing about the subject. Prior to our tutoring session, I was worried I wasn’t going pass my class. But now with Sean's help, I know I'll do great.
You will do great Karen!!!!
"Great Tutor!"
- Ann, Del Mar, CA on 3/2/13Sean instantly established a great rapport with my son. He has a great technique of presenting a hard subject in a very easy to understand way - teaching both comprehension and test taking skills - that has helped my son excel in Geometry.
"Awesome tutor"
- Ross, San Diego, CA on 2/25/13I've worked with Sean for one session so far, but he's made a subject I struggle with very interesting and fun to learn. He's a very patient tutor, and will break down the material and relay it back to you in a way you understand and can apply to your work. I strongly recommend working with Sean.
Thanks Ross. It was really easy to show you how to solve those stoichiometry problems. You have a solid foundation. With those additional rules and tricks I provided, you're well on your way to solving problems involving quantitative analysis of reactions!
"Awesome tutor"
- Lisa, San Diego, CA on 2/21/13Sean,
I would like to say thank you for all your help. This is my third lesson and when I first went to you, I had no idea what I was doing in Chemistry. Every tutoring session is helping me and thanks to you, not only will I pass my test, but your setting me up to pass the class.. looking forward to our next session.
Lisa, you'll do more than just pass the class. You're going to Ace it!
"Wonderful tutor!"
- Kerri, San Diego, CA on 9/25/12Sean is a great tutor! He tutored me in Organic Chemistry, and I met with him the first day not really knowing too much about the subject at all, but I immediately caught on as he was going through the information I needed to work on. He is very flexible with times and always works out his schedule to meet with me when I can. Since he has taught this subject, he is really good at explaining the concepts to me so that I fully understand them. He provided me with a lot of useful material that made the class much easier. I would definitely recommend Sean to any Chemistry student willing to learn.
Thanks Kerri. I enjoy providing supplementary material for your Organic Chemistry course. Your course is rigorous, but I see that you're catching on. I look forward to our continued sessions!
"Jumps Right In!"
- Cindy, San Diego, CA on 9/2/12I hired Sean to prepare my son for his freshman Chemistry course at college. My son had not had Chemistry in a few years, and did not have a rigorous course in it. My son is pleased because Sean takes time to explain concepts thoroughly yet is very time-efficient. Sean communicates very well in finding out what exactly the student needs. We're glad we found him!
It's been a pleasure working with Joe. He's an intelligent hard working student who's prepared for his first year in college.
"Amazing Instructor!"
- David, San Diego, CA on 5/29/12Unfortunately all semester I failed to be involved in Intro Chemistry. When it came down to finals I knew I needed help. Not saying its for everybody, but within a few hours Sean taught me Chemistry. I aced my two final exams and received a B in the class. He is an impressive, patient, structured, and simply amazing instructor. Undeniably I will recommend him to others, as myself will continue to receive instruction from him for future course assistance.
David, It was a pleasure and I'd be more than happy to help you next semester with General Chemistry!
Approved subjects are in bold.
Approved subjects
In most cases, tutors gain approval in a subject by passing a proficiency exam. For some subject areas, like music and art, tutors submit written requests to demonstrate their proficiency to potential students. If a tutor is interested but not yet approved in a subject, the subject will appear in non-bold font. Tutors need to be approved in a subject prior to beginning lessons.
Algebra 1
Topics I can help with include, but are not limited to: simplifying algebraic expressions involving polynomials and rational terms; factoring; solving linear equations; solving quadratic equations using factoring; analyzing graphs of linear equations; and solving applied problems.
Algebra 2
Topics I can help with include, but are not limited to: radicals, exponents, rational expressions, concepts of relations and functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, linear and quadratic functions, and the solutions of equations from these topics.
Biology
I can help students with the following topics, but not limited to: the process of scientific inquiry, the structure and function of life, the biochemistry of biomolecules, metabolism and manipulation of energy by plants and animals, cell division, classical and molecular genetics, development, and the evolution and adaptation of living organisms.
Chemistry
Students will learn to analyze and interpret the periodic table to predict and explain the element’s physical and chemical properties, based on the concepts of atomic structure, electron configurations and periodic properties.
Students will learn to construct the Lewis structure of a given molecule or polyatomic ion that obeys the octet rule and use the Lewis structure to predict the number and types of bonds (single, double and triple) it has and it’s geometry based on the principles of covalent bonding and valence shell electron pair repulsion theory (VSEPR).
Students will learn to analyze a given chemical reaction, including the amounts of reactants to write the balanced equation and to calculate the theoretical yield of the products, based on the concepts of molar mass and stoichiometery.
Chess
I can assist both the young enthusiast and/or mature learner. I have experience in showing students all the basic moves for each piece, basic strategies including castling and passing pawns, and overall positioning of pieces to put opponents in check or checkmate!
Geometry
Topics I can help with include, but are not limited to: lines, angle postulates, triangles including the special right triangle ratios, quadralaterals, circles, polygons, postulates, and theorems.
Nutrition
I am capable of discussing both Anabolic and Catabolic reactions involved in metabolism. I have a strong grasp of the biochemistry seen in the digestion of the four macromolecules and how it ties into cellular respiration. I also can easily teach the difference between the dietic calorie and calorie and show their different calculations.
Organic Chemistry
I can help students with basic nomenclature, stereoisomers, nucleophilic substitution, electrophilic addition, radical mechanisms and other synthesis reactions. I have taught, created, and designed curriculum for college level Organic Chemistry. I can easily implement background information of lab techniques such as melting point, boiling point, simple distillation, fractional distillation, vacuum distillation, steam distillation, recrystalization, acid-base extraction, chromatography, and spectral analysis (Infrared, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Mass Spectroscopy, and Gas Chromatography)into tutoring and discuss the relevance of each technique and the importance for synthesis. Once the techniques are understood and students know when to use them, then the mechanisms can be better understood.
Prealgebra
I can help students with the following topics: operations on positive and negative numbers; fractions, decimals, and percents; perimeters, areas, and volumes of geometric figures; fundamental algebraic concepts; square roots; and applications.
Precalculus
Topics I can help with include, but are not limited to: linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions; systems of equations and inequalities; and conics.
Trigonometry
Topics I can help with include, but are not limited to: solutions of applied problems involving right triangles; graphs of trigonometric functions, including period changes, amplitude changes, and phase shifts; trigonometric identities; trigonometric equation solving; and evaluation of inverse trigonometric functions.
Other San Diego, CA Tutors
Sean M.
San Diego, CA
Proven Chemistry, Biology, and Math tutor and College Professor!