Awards

Below is information about undergraduate student awards (academic and research related awards) and faculty awards.

Undergraduate Student Awards

There are a variety of awards that students may earn over the course of their stay at the University, based on outstanding academic performance, undergraduate research, and service activities. Links to the various awards made through the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry are included below, along with details on requirements and a list of past awardees. Students may also be recognized with University-wide graduation awards, such as the USP Alumni Association Award for the highest GPA in a program, or the Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical R & D Award in recognition of excellence in research. Only awards sponsored by the Department are included here.

The Department faculty evaluate and recommend students to the University-wide Awards Committee for all Department Awards. However, the Gibbs and Reber Awards require the student to first submit an application. All awards are announced in conjunction with the University Graduation Ceremony, and the names of students receiving awards appear on the Graduation Program, as well as on plaques on the walls adjacent to the Department Office.

Undergraduate Academic Awards

Undergraduate Academic Awards include recognition of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Chemistry majors by the Philadelphia Section of the American Chemical Society for their potential in the future to make a contribution to the Chemical Sciences, based on their undergraduate academic performance, research and service activities. First awarded in 1951, it is the Department's oldest award. Students are also recognized for their contributions as teaching assistants in the chemistry laboratories ("Lena DeLisser Matthews Prize"), in honor of Professor Matthews, and for outstanding student service activities, including activities in support of the Department Student Affiliate of the American Chemical Society ("Virginia Lebo Osol Memorial Prize"), in honor of Professor Osol.

A list of previous awardees are included at this link.

Note 1: These awards do not require an application.
Note 2: The American Institute of Chemists Award, given in the past, has been discontinued.
Note 3: All undergraduate students, including students in first professional degree programs such as Pharmacy, are eligible for the Lena DeLisser Matthews Prize.

More information about these awards

Philadelphia Section of the American Chemical Society Award
The award made by the Philadelphia Section of the American Chemical Society recognizes outstanding academic scholastic achievement by our undergraduate Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Chemistry majors, as well as service to the ACS Student Affiliate Organization. This is the oldest student award made by the Department, beginning in 1951.

American Institute of Chemists Award, Philadelphia Chapter
The award made by the American Institute of Chemists recognizes academic scholastic achievement by our undergraduate Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Chemistry majors, as well as accomplishments in undergraduate research.

Lena DeLisser Matthews Prize
The Lena DeLisser Matthews Prize recognizes students in BS and first professional degree programs throughout the University for outstanding efforts as teaching assistants in the chemistry laboratory courses offered by the Department.

Virginia Lebo Osol Memorial Prize
The Virginia Lebo Osol Memorial Prize recognizes outstanding student service activities by our undergraduate Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Chemistry majors, including participation in the Department's Student Affiliate of the American Chemical Society.

Undergraduate Research Awards

Undergraduate Research Awards include the "Martin and Karen Gibbs' Prize in Biological Sciences and Chemistry" and the "Louis A. Reber Memorial Research Awards in Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Chemistry". Information regarding how to apply for these research awards, as well as a list of previous awardees are included at this link.

Faculty Awards