Supplemental Instruction for UAlbany STEM Students
Tackle challenging STEM courses with Supplemental Instruction (SI). SI isn't tutoring — it's a weekly peer-led study session that's tied to your course.
You and your classmates will meet with a trained SI Leader, who has already successfully completed the course, to review material, ask questions and practice what you're learning together.
Participating in SI helps you learn and retain complex course material, making you more likely to succeed in this STEM course and those that follow. All students, including those with strong academic track records, benefit attending weekly sessions.
Learn more about how SI works and the benefits of participating.
Participate in Supplemental Instruction
There are two ways to join Supplemental Instruction (SI) sessions:
Automatic Registration
First-year (freshmen) and transfer students registered for certain courses may be automatically registered for a Supplemental Instruction course (UUNI-90).
SI will appear as "Academic Engagement Recur Mtg" on your class schedule. If you would like to make changes, please contact your academic advisor.
UUNI-90 is a zero-credit, ungraded course. You will not be charged for participating in SI.
STEM Courses with Automatic SI Registration
Fall: ACHM-115, AMAT-112, APHY-140, TCHM-135
Spring: AMAT-112 (Courses 5500 and 5501), APHY-140
Self Registration
Students registered for certain courses may register themselves for a Supplemental Instruction course (UUNI-90).
UUNI-90 is a zero-credit, ungraded course. You will not be charged for participating in SI.
STEM Courses with Self SI Registration
Fall: ACHM-116, ACHM-116, TCHM-135, ACHM-220, ACHM-221, AMAT-100, AMAT-108, AMAT-112, AMAT-113, PHYS-105, APHY-140, and APHYS-150
Spring: ACHM -115, ACHM-116, TCHM-136, ACHM -220, ACHM -221, AMAT-100, AMAT-108, AMAT-112, AMAT-113, APHY-105, APHY-108, and APHY-150
Register Yourself for SI
Open the Schedule of Classes.
Select the correct semester from the dropdown.
Under "Course Subject," select "UUNI - University-wide."
Under "Catalog Number," enter "90."
Scroll down and click the purple Submit button.
The next page will list all available UUNI-90 courses. Use your browser's Find function to search for the UUNI-90 courses devoted to your particular STEM course. To use the Find function:
On a PC, hit the CTRL and F keys at the same time. On a Mac, hit the Command and F keys at the same time. A search bar will appear.
Input your STEM class's course subject and course number (for example: ACHM-116) into the search bar and press Enter.
Use the down arrow next to the search bar to peruse all relevant UUNI-90 courses.
Find the course that works for you and make note of the Class Number, which you'll need for registration.
Your next step depends on whether the last day to add a semester-long course has passed. Please see the Academic Calendar for specific dates.
- If the course registration deadline has not yet passed, register for your selected UUNI-90 course using these instructions: Register for Classes as an Undergraduate Student. Please contact your academic advisor with any questions related to class registration.
- If the course registration deadline has passed already, email [email protected] with your full name, your student ID number and the Class Number for your selected UUNI-90 course. You’ll receive an email with confirmation once you’ve been added to the class or guidance for making alternate selection, if necessary.
Questions? Email [email protected].
Learn more about Supplemental Instruction
How Supplemental Instruction works
Learn more about how supplemental instruction works by watching this video from the International Center for Supplemental Instruction.
SI sessions are:
- Collaborative: You will work with peers on group activities, discussions and problem-solving.
- Active: You will apply course concepts, rather than just review them passively.
- Course-specific: SI Leaders design sessions based on your class lectures, notes and assignments.
SI sessions are not:
- A repeat of your professor’s lecture or lesson. They are an interactive space to deepen your understanding of the material.
- A place to get answers to your homework. SI Leaders won’t give you answers but they will help you develop the skills and confidence to find them yourself.
- A substitute for attending class. SI is most effective when paired with regular class attendance. Skipping class means missing key content that SI builds on.
Benefits of participating
Expectations for participating students
Arrive on time and stay for the full session.
Be respectful and collaborative. Everyone is there to learn.
Participation is expected; passive attendance is not as effective.
Limit distractions (e.g., put phones on silent).
Regular attendance yields the most significant benefits!
How to make the most of Supplemental Instruction
Want to get the greatest benefit from attending SI sessions? Keep these tips in mind:
Attend early and often: Don’t wait until you’re falling behind. SI works best when used consistently.
Come prepared: Review your lecture notes and identify questions ahead of time.
Be an active participant: Speak up, work with peers and try out different strategies.
Stay positive: Everyone is learning. SI is a supportive, judgment-free space.
Follow up: Use what you learn in SI to guide your studying between sessions.
The team behind Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a collaborative effort between students, faculty and staff. Each person plays a unique role in making the program successful.
SI Leaders – Your Peer Guides
SI Leaders are undergraduate students who have previously taken the course — often with the same professor — and earned an A or B. They are trained in active learning strategies and group facilitation. SI Leaders:
Attend the course lectures
Design and lead structured SI sessions
Hold weekly office hours for additional support
Model strong study habits and academic success strategies
SI Faculty – Course Content Experts
Faculty members partner with the SI program to support student learning in their course. Their collaboration is essential to the success of SI. SI Faculty:
Welcome the SI Leader into their classroom
Share course materials, updates and expectations
Encourage students to attend SI sessions
Communicate regularly with the SI Supervisor about course alignment
SI Supervisors – Program Coordinators & Mentors
SI Supervisors are professional staff who oversee the SI program and ensure its quality and impact. SI Supervisors:
Recruit, hire and train SI Leaders
Coordinate with faculty to select supported courses
Provide ongoing mentoring, evaluation and feedback to SI Leaders
Track student attendance and outcomes to improve program effectiveness
Together, these three roles form the foundation of a strong SI program that supports your academic success inside and outside the classroom.
Questions? Please contact the Learning Commons team, who coordinate the SI program.
SI Leader Office Hours
Each SI Leader will provide weekly office hours.
Office hours are drop-in times meant for brief questions or clarification related to session content, course material or academic skills. They are not intended for full-length, one-on-one tutoring sessions or private appointments.
If you need extended individual help, please schedule an individual peer tutoring appointment or use Brainfuse Online Tutoring.