Description: Short snippet of Maths and Engineering tutor Chris R’s tutor profile.

I have a PhD in Naval Architecture from UCL. Growing up in Cornwall gave me a deep interest in the sea and the wider maritime world. This early interest led me to study boat design at college which then led on to me taking a Bachelors and then a Masters in Yacht Design and Maritime Engineering respectively. My continued interest in the subject and a desire to continue learning resulted in me taking a PhD in ship design methods where I’m currently studying design processes used in industry and how to develop user-focused tools that enhance and improve current approaches.

The diversity of the subjects I’ve covered over the past five years has prepared me well for tutoring a number of topics. The technical side of Maritime Engineering has given me competence in mathematics and physics, while the logical, problem-solving nature of engineering has prepared me well for tutoring both verbal and non-verbal reasoning.

Aside from technical skills, report writing is a big part of my work and has placed me well for tutoring scientific writing, particularly the more difficult aspects such as structuring reports and dissertations. I would also be able to give some valuable guidance on approaching the dreaded literature review and large scientific writing projects at University level. This is an essential skill that is often not taught very well, if at all at school and university.

Outside of work I enjoy staying active and my hobbies include cycling, playing chess and sailing. I also have an interest in computer science, art, architecture, and food

I’ve acted as a Teaching Assistant for an introductory programming course in the Computer Science department; an undergraduate course on Engineering Challenges in the Engineering Faculty; a Ship Design module for the MTEC MSc degree; and I’ve taken the UCL Postgraduate Teaching Assistant course – ‘Arena One.’

At GCSE level I have coached one student for Maths and Physics exams in which they achieved a high B grade and an A grade, after previously being predicted a grade C for both subjects.