Undergraduate Awards and Prizes

Department Awards

The Physics Honors Prize

Annual prize awarded to the sophomore student with the best academic record in the honors introductory course sequence. The prize includes a coply of The Feynman Lectures in Physics volumes, a paid membership in the AAPT, and a subscription to Physics Today. This prize is awarded by the undergraduate advisors in consultation with the instructors of the honors introductory courses.

The Harry W. Fulbright Prize

Annual prize awarded to the student who, by his or her performance in the Advanced Laboratory, manifests the greatest promise for developing into an experimental physicist in the tradition exemplified by Harry W. Fulbright. This prize is awarded by the instructor of the Advanced Lab PHY 243/244. This prize includes a monetary award of $250 if one winner, or $150 each if two winners.

The John F. Flagg Prize

Annual prize awarded to a graduating senior majoring in Physics or in Physics and Astronomy with the highest grade point average as an undergraduate. This prize is awarded by the undergraduate advisors and includes a monetary award of $1000.

The Janet Fogg Prize

Annual prize awarded to one student of the graduating class in recognition of his or her dedicated service, inside or outside the classroom, to the well-being of all students served by the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

The Stoddard Prize

Annual prize awarded for the best senior thesis by a graduating senior in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. All senior thesis projects are included in the competition. This prize is awarded by the Undergraduate Advisors and the Undergraduate Awards Committee based upon a review of the written thesis and an evaluation of a short talk on the research given by the student. The prize includes a monetary award of $900.

The Apker Award

This prize is awarded by the American Physical Society, in a nationwide competition, to an undergraduate who has demonstrated exceptional potential for scientific research through an original contribution to physics. (The Departmental nomination is submitted by the Undergraduate Awards Committee).

The Undergraduate Teaching Award

Annual award given by the Department to honor the best undergraduate teaching interns of the graduating class.

University Awards

The following awards are decided through a nominating process, initiated either by the Undergraduate Advisors, the Undergraduate Awards Committee, or by supporting faculty members.

The Catherine Block Memorial Fund Prize

Annual prize awarded by the University to a woman in the junior class in recognition of her outstanding ability and achievement in the field of science. Selection is based on recommendations by the respective departments, which are evaluated by a committee appointed by the Dean of the College.

The Janet Howell Clark Prize

Annual prize awarded by the University to the senior woman who has shown the greatest promise in creative work in either astronomy, biology, chemistry, or physics and who has shown outstanding versatility in the mastery of allied fields. Selection is based on recommendations by the respective departments, which are evaluated by a committee appointed by the Dean of the College.

The Fannie R. Bigelow Scholarship Fund

This prize was established in memory of Fannie R. Bigelow by gifts from her sisters, her grandniece, and her nephew in commemoration of the work of Fannie R. Bigelow and colleague Susan B. Anthony. The scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior woman for outstanding participation and leadership in extra-curricular activities: "She shall demonstrate that she participates in extracurricular activities because she believes sincerely in their value to the college community beyond their purely social worth." There are no geographical restrictions.

The Susan B. Anthony Award

Annual prize awarded by the Women's Club of the University of Rochester. The scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior woman for outstanding participation and leadership in extra-curricular and academic achievement.

Other Awards

In addition to the above prizes and awards there are the Simeon Cheatham Award, the Percy Dutton Prize, the Andrew Fried Prize, the Presidential Award, the Delno Sisson, the Eli & Mildred Sokol, Student Life Award, and the S&H Terry Prize, to be nominated annually by faculty and the Undergraduate Awards Committee.