Prizes for Science

Dick Wilkins Prize in Molecular Biology

The Dick Wilkins Prize in Molecular Biology was established by Professor Richard J. Wilkins in 2011 to mark his retirement from the University of Waikato. It will be awarded to the top student in BIOL584 and BIOL585.

Jared Simpson Memorial Prize in Biological and Earth Sciences

The Jared Simpson Memorial Prize in Biological and Earth Sciences is awarded annually to a student enrolled at the University who, in the year of the Award, has taken Level II courses in Biological Sciences and/or Earth Sciences for a first degree and who has submitted practical work of a meritorious nature. The Prize will be offered in alternate years in Biological Sciences (odd years) and Earth Sciences (even years).

Tom Shaw Memorial Prize in Biological Sciences

The Tom Shaw Memorial Prize in Biological Sciences is awarded annually to a student enrolled at the University who, in the year of the Award, has taken Biological Sciences as a main subject for a first degree of the University, who has included courses in Botany and Ecology at Level III within his or her programme of study, and who has shown outstanding ability in that subject. 

Vivienne Cassie Cooper Prize in Algae

The Vivienne Cassie Cooper Prize in Algae is awarded to an outstanding student studying any aspect of algae at the University of Waikato, at a graduate or postgraduate level.

Waikato Botanical Society Graduate Prize

The Waikato Botanical Society Graduate Prize is awarded annually to the student enrolled in the Level V Botany paper, who is the highest-achieving student in the paper and receives not less than an ‘A’ grade.

Waikato Botanical Society Undergraduate Prize

The Waikato Botanical Society Undergraduate Prize is awarded annually to the student enrolled in the Level II botany paper, who is the highest-achieving student in the paper and who also receives not less than an ‘A’ grade.

NZ Institute of Chemistry J. E. Allan Memorial Prize

The NZIC J. E. Allan Memorial Prize is awarded annually to the best second-year student in Chemistry.

The Prize was established in 1973 by the Waikato Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry in memory of James Eric Allan, MSc FNZIC. Mr Allan gained an international reputation as one of New Zealand’s foremost scientists through his outstanding contribution to the development of atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Waikato Regional Council Prize in Water Science

The Waikato Regional Council Prize in Water Science is awarded annually to a student enrolled at the University who, in the year of the award, has shown outstanding ability in Facultyof Science and Engineering Level III courses dealing with water in the natural environment.

H. S. Gibbs Prize in Earth Sciences

This H. S. Gibbs Prize in Earth Sciences is awarded annually to a student studying first- or second-year Earth Sciences, who has (for the year) submitted the best field report which demonstrates a broad understanding of Earth Sciences.

Jeanette Gillespie Memorial Prize in Earth Science

The Jeanette Gillespie Memorial Prize in Earth Science is awarded annually to a student enrolled at the University who, in the year of the award, has taken at least two Level I courses in Earth Sciences for a first degree and who is academically the most meritorious student in Level I Earth Sciences.

Jared Simpson Memorial Prize in Biological and Earth Sciences

The Jared Simpson Memorial Prize in Biological and Earth Sciences is awarded annually to a student enrolled at the University who, in the year of the Award has taken Level II courses in Biological Sciences and/or Earth Sciences for a first degree and who has submitted practical work of a meritorious nature. The Prize will be offered in alternate years in Biological Sciences (odd years) and Earth Sciences (even years).

McCraw Prize in Communicating Earth Sciences Research

The McCraw Prize in Communicating Earth Sciences Research is awarded annually to a masters student enrolled at the University who, in the year of the award, is undertaking Level V courses in Earth Sciences, and who presents a conference paper at the annual Earth Sciences Student Conference, (organised by the Department), that is deemed to be outstanding in the presentation of its findings and setting a context for the research it describes.

Shannon Young Award

The Shannon Young Award is made annually to a student or students taking Level III Earth Sciences as a main subject for a first degree at the University, who has/have shown outstanding ability in Earth Sciences.

Waikato Geological and Lapidary Club Prize in Earth Sciences

The Waikato Geological and Lapidary Society Prize in Earth Sciences is awarded annually to an undergraduate student studying Earth Sciences, who has submitted the best geological field report for the year.

Bruce Liley Prize in Physics

The Bruce Liley Prize in Physics awards two prizes annually. One to the  top student in ENGEN110 - Engineering Mechanics and one to the top student in ENGEN111 - Electricity for Engineers.