Undergraduate Awards

Undergraduate students in the chemistry, environmental chemistry, and biochemistry programs are eligible for various internal and external awards, for academic performance, teaching, and research. Details of each award can be found below.

General Award Information

Award Title Organization Category Award Application Deadline Month Awarded
CSC Silver Medal Canadian Society for Chemistry academic medal n/a September
CSC Silver Medal Canadian Society for Chemistry academic medal n/a September
Alaa Abd-el-Aziz Scholarship in Chemistry Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science academic $1000 n/a August
HSBC Undergraduate Award in Environmental Studies HSBC Bank Canada academic variable n/a August
College Chemistry Canada General Student Scholarship College Chemistry Canada academic $800 March June
ACPBC Undergraduate Student Member Scholarship Association of the Chemical Profession of British Columbia academic / service $1000 October November
Judit Moldovan Chemistry Teaching Assistant Award UBC Okanagan Chemistry Department teaching $500 n/a March
Provost Award for Teaching Assistants and Tutors UBC Okanagan Office of the Provost teaching $500 February May
Undergraduate Student Award for Excellence in Research UBC Okanagan Office of Research Services research $1500 December March
Undergraduate Research Award Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science research ~$8000 January March
Undergraduate Student Research Award Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada research ~$7500 January March

CSC Silver Medal (Chemistry)

Awarded to top student at each Canadian university entering their final year of chemistry.

Application Procedure: None. The winning student will be identified to the CSC by the Chemistry Department Awards Coordinator.


CSC Silver Medal (Biochemistry)

Awarded to a top student at each Canadian university entering their final year of biochemistry.

Application Procedure: None. The winning student will be identified to the CSC by the Chemistry Department Awards Coordinator.


Alaa Abd-el-Aziz Scholarship in Chemistry

Awarded in even-numbered years to a student entering fourth year of the chemistry major or honours program.

Application Procedure: None. The winning student will be selected by the Chemistry Department Awards Coordinator.


HSBC Undergraduate Award in Environmental Studies

The award is made to a student working toward a degree in either environmental chemistry, earth & environmental sciences, or freshwater sciences, who demonstrates both high academic achievement and financial need.

Application Procedure: None. The winning student will be selected jointly by the Departments of Chemistry and Earth & Environmental Sciences.


College Chemistry Canada (C3) General Student Scholarship

The C3 General Student Scholarship is awarded to a student entering into or continuing with a chemistry-related area or program at a Canadian college or university. Both academic merit and participation in student organizations will be considered.

Application Procedure: None. Eligible students will be nominated by a Department of Chemistry faculty or staff member who is a member of College Chemistry Canada.


ACPBC Undergraduate Student Member Scholarship

The scholarship is awarded to a student enrolled in the third or fourth year of an undergraduate chemistry program at a British Columbia university. The award is based equally on academic performance in chemistry and service to the chemistry profession.

Application Procedure: Students apply directly to the ACPBC by the October deadline, by becoming an undergraduate student member of the ACPBC (undergraduate student membership is free), submitting an official transcript and a one-page letter, and arranging for two reference letters. Exact deadlines and other details will usually be made available to the department in September.


Judit Moldovan Chemistry Teaching Assistant Award

Awarded to an undergraduate exhibiting teaching excellence, leadership, and enthusiasm in their role as a TA, and service to both the chemistry department and their fellow students.

Application Procedure: None. The winning student will be selected by the Chemistry Department Awards Coordinator in consultation with the Chemistry Department Laboratory Manager.


Provost Award for Teaching Assistants and Tutors

Awarded to up to six undergraduate and graduate students at UBC Okanagan who have demonstrated skills, abilities, and contributions that result in a high level of respect from students and academic or course supervisors by exhibiting disciplinary knowledge, collegiality, and effective teaching. Both undergraduate TAs and Supplemental Learning Leaders are eligible.

Application Procedure: None. Eligible students will be nominated by the TA’s colleagues, students, or supervisor (usually the Chemistry Department Laboratory Manager or the Academic Resource Centre Coordinator). Nominators should note that the nomination package is extensive, requiring teaching evaluations and multiple support letters. Nominations should be made in consultation with the Chemistry Department Awards Coordinator.


Undergraduate Student Award for Excellence in Research

Awarded to an undergraduate student who has made a significant contribution to research at UBC Okanagan, by making a significant research breakthrough or contribution to the research community.

Application Procedure: None. Eligible students will be nominated by the students’ research supervisors.


Undergraduate Research Award and Undergraduate Student Research Award

These awards both consist of a salary stipend to allow an undergraduate student to pursue a summer research project under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Detailed information regarding the award criteria, eligibility, and deadlines for the URA and the NSERC USRA may be found on their respective web pages.

Application Procedure: Students apply in consultation with a proposed research supervisor. Detailed application information is available on the appropriate web pages. Application deadlines are in late January, but students should be in communication with potential research supervisors well in advance of the deadline.