“A teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary.” – Thomas Carruthers
Professor Cahill’s teaching has been recognized by a Bender Teaching Award (2005), the Oscar and Shoshanna Trachtenberg Prize for Teaching Excellence (2013) and by the GW Student Athlete’s Professor of the Year Award (2014).
General Chemistry
Professor Cahill teaches General Chemistry I and II (Chem 1111 & 1112) in Fall and Spring semesters, respectively. GW Chemistry uses the free, online OpenStax textbook. Sample syllabi can be found here and here. Current and prospective students should take a look at the ‘Expectations for Gen Chem Students’ within the syllabi.
The Science of Nuclear Materials
Professor Cahill also teaches the graduate level “Science of Nuclear Materials” in the Elliott School of International Affairs during Fall semesters. This is a combination of lectures and hands on experiments designed to teach the fundamental principles of nuclear science, as well as the nuclear fuel cycle in general to non-technical individuals within the nuclear arena. This is not a policy course, but rather an introductory science course covering ‘policy relevant’ topics. We explore the origins of radiation, manufacture and detection of nuclear materials, and in addition to weapons and power issues, also explore medical uses and environmental issues. We utilize lectures for dissemination of science fundamentals, followed by hands-on laboratory experiments that reinforce lecture content. It is assumed that students will have little scientific background prior to this course- a high school chemistry or physics course is sufficient. Moreover, there are some mathematical exercises/activities wherein instructors guide students through more challenging problems. In summary, the target audience is students with non-technical and non-scientific backgrounds.
