UB Department of Chemistry
Undergraduate Student Awards

• Academic Excellence in Chemistry Award - The Academic Excellence in Chemistry Award consists of a keepsake plaque given by the Department of Chemistry. It is given annually to graduating seniors with the following GPA levels:
  Distinction---3.20—3.499; High Distinction---3.50—3.749; Highest Distinction---3.75—4.00
• Academic Excellence in Medicinal Chemistry Award - The Academic Excellence in Medicinal Chemistry Award consists of a keepsake plaque given by the Department of Chemistry. It is given annually to graduating seniors with the following GPA levels:
  Distinction---3.20—3.499; High Distinction---3.50—3.749; Highest Distinction---3.75—4.00
• American Chemical Society Division of Analytical Chemistry Award - Since 1967, the American Chemical Society, Division of Analytical Chemistry, has presented this undergraduate award to encourage student interest in analytical chemistry and to recognize students who display an aptitude for a career in the field. The recipient is selected by the Undergraduate Affairs Committee, but is to have completed the third undergraduate year before the upcoming fall semester, and is expected to enroll for the following academic year. The award consists of an 8-month subscription (16 issues) to the journal Analytical Chemistry and a certificate of recognition, which is presented at the Department of Chemistry awards ceremony on commencement day.
• American Institute of Chemists Award - One of the activities of the American Institute of Chemists Foundation (AICF), administered by the American Institute of Chemists (AIC), is the annual student awards program to honor outstanding seniors, post-baccalaureate and post-doctoral students majoring in chemistry, chemical engineering or biochemistry. Such awards are given in recognition of a demonstrated record of ability, leadership and professional promise. Candidates are nominated by Department faculty members and selected by the Department’s Undergraduate Affairs Committee. A certificate is presented at the annual Department awards ceremony.
• CAS Dean's Outstanding Senior Award - Annually, the Dean honors the best senior graduating from each department in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) with the “Dean’s Outstanding Senior Award”, consisting of a medal and certificate presented at the University Commencement ceremony. In previous years, prior to the formation of the College of Arts and Sciences, this award was named the “FNSM Deans Outstanding Senior Award”. Each department in the College, along with the Interdisciplinary Degree Program and the Special Major Program, is asked to select one graduating senior. The selection criteria are:
  • Demonstrated academic excellence exemplified by an exceptional grade point average
  • Election to honor societies
  • Participation in research
  • Other academic achievements selected by the department
• CRC Freshman Chemistry Award - The CRC Freshman Chemistry Award honors the top 1% of freshman students for academic excellence in CHE101-102, based on cumulative rank, and is presented by the Department of Chemistry faculty. This elite group has been recognized through the presentation of this award since 1985, when the Department of Chemistry held its first annual awards ceremony. Each student receives a copy of the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics and a certificate.
• Hypercube Scholar Award - The generosity of Hypercube supports the annual Hypercube Scholar awarded to a graduating Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry senior selected by the Undergraduate Affairs Committee. This award consists of the newest version of HyperChem software and a certificate signed by Neil S. Ostlund, the President and CEO of Hypercube, Inc. The award is presented at the Department awards ceremony on commencement day.
• Joseph & Louise K. Tufariello Award for Academic Excellence in Chemistry - First presented in 2003, this award was established in memory of Dr. Joseph J. Tufariello’s parents, Joseph and Louise K. Tufariello, who, in spite of their own limited education, encouraged and supported him in his quest for the highest education possible. This award is presented annually to an outstanding graduating senior in the Department of Chemistry of the University at Buffalo as selected by the Undergraduate Affairs Committee.
• Peter T. Lansbury Chemistry Award - Joseph P. Vacca, PhD 1983, received the Merck Director’s Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the discovery of Crixivan, an HIV protease inhibitor. Dr. Vacca selected the University at Buffalo as recipient of the Merck prize because of the important role UB played in his career. To honor his former PhD mentor, Dr. Peter T. Lansbury, Professor Emeritus, Dr. Vacca created the Peter T. Lansbury Chemistry Award in 1999. This award is given periodically to a deserving undergraduate chemistry major, preferably in his/her junior year. The funds may be used to carry out summer research with a UB faculty member.
• Ralph F. Theuer Scholarship Award - The family of Ralph F. Theuer, University at Buffalo alumnus, BA Chemistry 1946 and EdM. Science Education 1950, in order to further science education, established the Ralph F. Theuer Endowment Fund in 1994. This award is presented annually to one or more outstanding students pursuing a degree in Chemistry or a graduate degree in Science Education at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Awardees are selected by the Department of Chemistry Undergraduate Affairs Committee, and students selected are presented their scholarship and certificate at the Department of Chemistry annual awards ceremony.
• Senior Merck Award for Scholastic Excellence - Through its generosity and commitment to the chemical sciences Merck & Co., Inc. offers this annual award to recognize outstanding graduating chemistry majors. Ultimate selection of the awardees is made by the Department’s Undergraduate Affairs Committee. Each senior selected receives a copy of the Merck Index with their name embossed in gold on the cover. The University at Buffalo has taken part in honoring our seniors with this award since 1985, when the Department of Chemistry held its very first awards ceremony.
• Sophomore Merck Index Award - The Sophomore Merck Index Award honors the top 1% of sophomore students in CHE201-251 and CHE202-252, based on cumulative rank, and is presented by the Department of Chemistry faculty. This elite group has been recognized through the presentation of this award since 1985, when the Department of Chemistry held its first annual awards ceremony. Each student receives a copy of the Merck Index and a certificate.
• Western New York American Chemical Society Award - Through its generosity the Western New York Section of the American Chemical Society (founded in 1905) offers this annual award to honor the outstanding senior students of our regional colleges and universities majoring in chemistry, medicinal chemistry and biochemistry.
• William E. Townsend Scholarship Award - Mr. William E. Townsend, UB Class of 1950 with a BA degree in Chemistry, in order to recognize worthy students at his alma mater, established the William E. Townsend Scholarship Fund in 1992. This award is presented annually to one or more freshman chemistry majors, preferably from the Western New York area, with demonstrated financial need and possession of good personal characteristics in terms of attitude, personality, citizenship and leadership. Recipients are selected by the Department of Chemistry Undergraduate Affairs Committee. The award may be presented to each awardee for up to four consecutive years, provided they remain a chemistry major in good standing with the University.