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William Hardy

Instructor

Academic Appointment(s)

Bio

I am currently a principal engineer at Savannah River National Lab, a Captain in the United States Army Reserve, and an adjunct professor of Chemistry at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­, GA. I received my Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in chemistry from Jackson State University in my hometown of Jackson, Mississippi. It was in Mississippi that I developed my passion for science. After spending five years at Jackson State, I decided it was time for a change of scenery. I moved to the University of Florida in the sunny Gainesville, FL. There, I continued my education and pursued and received a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry in 2014.
During my PhD my research focused on developing materials for radioactive waste storage, fabricating battery separator membranes to increase the efficiency in lithium-ion batteries, and modulating ion transport in template prepared carbon nanotube membranes. In 2014, I moved to Aiken, South Carolina and began working at the Savannah River National Lab. Currently, my chief responsibility at Savannah River National Lab is to apply conventional, advanced scientific, and engineering practices to various complex technical and policy-related issues pertaining to national and global security. I have led and participated in several research and development activities related to radiation detector design, development, and testing.
Throughout my career I have sought opportunities to share my experiences and my passion for learning with others. My approach to teaching is very straightforward. Effective teaching requires not only mastery of the material but an understanding that students have various learning styles. I try to clearly communicate objectives and expectations and encourage healthy interactions with students in and outside of the classroom. I recognize that science may not be the most appealing or easiest concept to learn, apply, and master. My goal is to create an atmosphere in an online classroom environment that inspires students to take ownership of their learning as I guide them through the process of making scientific discoveries.
When I began my teaching journey, I reflected on the positive experiences I had as a student and worked towards integrating these experiences into my teaching. I enjoyed courses that: 1) were organized with a clear sense of direction; 2) were taught by faculty with enthusiasm, energy and passion; 3) had an affable classroom environment; 4) demonstrated real-world applications 5) and upheld expectations that were challenging, clear, and obtainable. After teaching for several years, I can proudly say that these elements build my teaching philosophy. Every time I deliver a lecture, cultivate an assignment, or prepare an exam I keep these principles in mind.