Supplemental Instruction is an academic assistance program providing regularly scheduled out-of-class, peer-led study sessions for challenging courses. The free sessions, open to all students in targeted courses, are held two or three times each week throughout the semester, and special study sessions are added before exams.
More in-depth than tutoring, and led by students who have mastered the subjects, SI sessions integrate what you're learning in class with essential learning strategies. As a result, SI participants usually earn higher grades and withdraw from classes less often than other students.
Supplemental Instruction Overview
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What is Supplemental Instruction?
- Free academic support in some of the most challenging general education and/or gateway courses.
- Collaborative, engaging, and interactive sessions, hosted by a trained SI Leader.
- Occurs at least twice weekly, specific to the section/professor.
- A proactive approach to ensuring student success.
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What are the qualifications for SI Leaders (SIL)?
- Students who have completed the course at UAB with at least a B+ and have at least 3.00 GPA.
- Leaders complete a two-to-three hour training workshop.
- All training is focused on metacognitive learning strategies and tools, using Bloom's Taxonomy to help students work their way into higher-level critical thinking skills.
- You can expect your SIL to be well-versed in the subject material and study strategies.
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Who will hires and trains SI Leaders?
SILs are employed by the VMASC. Faculty recommend the student; we do the hiring, training, and payroll.
Download overview informationOpens a PDF.
Apply to be an SI
VMASC recruits, trains, and assigns new si leaders every semester.
To apply to be an SI leader please apply here on HANDSHAKE. Before applying, interested students should read the Position Description (PDF).
Supplemental Instruction Fall 2024
Biology
| Subject | Course | Section | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| BY | 101 | QL | Topics in Contemporary Biology |
| BY | 115 | 1FF | Human Anatomy |
| BY | 115 | AY | Human Anatomy |
| BY | 116 | 1C | Human Physiology |
| BY | 116 | 1G | Human Physiology |
| BY | 210 | 2C | Genetics |
| BY | 261 | 1F | Introduction to Microbiology |
| BY | 271 | 1B | Biology of Microorganisms |
| BY | 330 | 1C | Cell Biology/ 530 Graduate Bio +10 |
Computer Science
| Subject | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CS | 103 | Introduction to CS in Python |
| CS | 203 | Object-Oriented Programming |
| CS | 330 | Computer Organization and Assembly Language |
Kinesiology
| Subject | Course | Section | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIN | 307 | QL | Applied Kinesiology |
Biology Café
| Subject | Course | Section | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| BY | 123 | 2D | Introductory Biology I |
| BY | 123 | 2F | Introductory Biology I |
| BY | 124 | 2D | Introductory Biology II |
| BY | 124 | 2E | Introductory Biology II |