Undergraduate Awards

Each year, the Undergraduate Honors and Awards Committee in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry selects a deserving student for each of the following awards.
Selection is based on faculty nominations, area of interest, and academic performance. All Chemistry and Biochemistry majors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or greater are considered for the awards.

CRC Freshman Award

CRC Press sponsors this award for the outstanding freshman chemistry student at College Park. The recipient receives a hardbound copy of the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics.

Nathan Drake Award

The Nathan Drake Award is sponsored annually by the Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Chi Sigma. The award recognizes an outstanding student in chemistry or biochemistry completing their sophomore year.

Analytical Chemistry Award

This award is sponsored by the Analytical Chemistry Division of the American Chemical Society. It is given to a rising senior with interest and aptitude in analytical chemistry. The awardee receives a one-year subscription to the Journal of Analytical Chemistry.

Inorganic Chemistry Award

This award is intended to recognize achievement by undergraduate students in inorganic chemistry and to encourage further study in the field. The award consists of a personalized certificate and a letter of commendation signed by the Chair of the ACS Division of Inorganic Chemistry.

Hypercube Award

This award is given by Hypercube, Inc. from Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Hypercube is the developer of HyperChem and other molecular modeling products. The award is given to a senior Chemistry major and consists of a copy of the HyperChem software package and a commemorative plaque.

Robert Battista Award for Undergraduate Research in Organic Chemistry

This award was set up by the friends of Robert Battista, a student who received a B.S. in Chemistry from our department. It is given annually to an outstanding senior with research interests in organic chemistry.

There are five awards given to top graduating seniors in recognition of their outstanding records throughout their college careers:

Alpha Chi Sigma Award

This award is sponsored by Alpha Chi Sigma. It recognizes an outstanding senior majoring in Chemistry or Biochemistry. The award consists of a one-year membership in the American Chemical Society.

American Institute of Chemists Award

This award is presented to honor outstanding seniors with a demonstrated record of ability, leadership and professional promise. The recipients receive a certificate and a one-year student associate membership in the American Institute of Chemists.

Chemical Society of Washington Award

The Chemical Society of Washington presents this award annually to outstanding seniors majoring in chemistry and in biochemistry.

Greater Washington Institute of Chemists Award

This award is given to students in recognition of their scholastic achievements and potential for advancing the chemical professions in the U.S.

Merck Index Award

Merck and Company, Inc. sponsors the Merck Index Award to honor outstanding graduating seniors in chemistry. The recipient receives a Merck Index with the recipient’s name engraved on the cover.

Department Honors

The Chemistry and Biochemistry Honors Program is open to CHEM or BCHM majors who perform at least two semesters of chemical or biochemical research in the department. In their final semester at the University the students register for CHEM 398 (Chemistry Honors). At the end of the semester the student submits a written thesis and presents an oral seminar to the Undergraduate Honors and Awards Committee.

Scholarships

Each year or bi-annually, the Undergraduate Honors and Awards Committee in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry selects a deserving student for each of the following endowed financial scholarships. Selection is based on faculty nominations, academic performance, professional interests, and financial need, in accordance with the terms of the individual endowments. All Chemistry and Biochemistry majors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or greater are considered for the scholarships. Awarding of each scholarship is contingent on availability of funds in a given year.

ACS-HACH Land Grant Scholarship

The ACS-HACH Scholarship is funded by the American Chemical Society and the Hach Scientific Foundation. The recipient must be a chemistry major and must demonstrate a commitment to become a high school chemistry teacher.

Albert  Klavon Scholarship Fund

The Albert  Klavon scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student majoring in Chemistry or Biochemistry, based on financial need and academic merit.

Brian Crawford ’76 Undergraduate Scholarship in Chemistry

The Brian Crawford ’76 Scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student majoring in Chemistry or Biochemistry, based on financial need and academic merit.

Bruce Jarvis Scholarship Endowment

This scholarship was established to honor Professor Bruce B. Jarvis, a former faculty member and department chair in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The scholarship can be awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student majoring in Chemistry, based on financial need and academic merit.

Francesco Barone Scholarship Fund

This fund provides undergraduate scholarships or graduate student fellowships to students majoring in Chemistry, based on academic promise and financial need. Preference is given to upperclass undergraduates or advanced graduate students to assist in the successful completion of their studies.

G. Forrest Woods Memorial Scholarship

The G. Forrest Woods Scholarship was established by Anita Frazer in memory of her husband who was a distinguished faculty member and former chair of the department. The scholarship provides funds towards the educational expenses of an outstanding undergraduate or graduate student in Chemistry or Biochemistry for the next school year

Isidore and Annie Adler Chemistry Scholarship

The Isidore and Annie Adler Chemistry scholarship was the first endowed scholarship in the history of the Department. It was established by Annie Adler in memory of her husband who was a distinguished member of our faculty. The scholarship provides $500 toward the educational expenses for an outstanding student majoring in Chemistry or Biochemistry for the next school year.

James H. & Patricia H. Rich Scholarship

The James H. & Patricia H. Rich scholarship was created by Joshua R. and Jordan A. Rich for students majoring in Biochemistry. Recipients are selected based on demonstrated financial need.

Leidy Foundation Scholarships

The Leidy Foundation provides scholarships for outstanding students preparing for careers in the field of chemistry. The Foundation has been providing these scholarships to our department since 1960.  The award is based on scholastic achievement in chemistry and supporting courses, and future pursuit of interest in professional chemistry.